AUSTIN, Texas – Northern Arizona University senior Josh DeKonty highlighted Thursday's action at the NCAA West Preliminary Round in Austin after placing ninth overall in the men's long jump with a career-best mark of 25-4.5, giving the Lumberjacks their first bid of the weekend to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship June 6-9 in Des Moines, Iowa.

"Josh really earned it today with a big PR, and that's what it's all about, just competing and earning your spot to the national championship," said Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Eric Heins. "Hats off to Coach Kemp and Coach Jacoby for helping prepare Josh."

DeKonty entered the day ranked 31st out of 48 athletes in the event, carrying a then-best mark of 24-7.25 and hoping at the very least for a trip to the final round of jumps. With the odds stacked against him from the second of four flights, DeKonty needed a big PR to beat out 15 other competitors and make it even that far.

On his second jump of the day, the fifth-year senior from Gilbert, Ariz. uncorked his clinching jump, easily winning his flight and giving him what would end up being a permanent spot in the event's Top 12.

"I was really excited that I finally hit 25 feet," said DeKonty, who also brought home both the indoor and outdoor Big Sky long jump titles this season. "But making nationals was just the icing on the cake."

Aside from DeKonty, the Lumberjacks had four other athletes competing on Day One. Freshman Brittany Price competed in Flight One of the women's javelin, missing finals but notching a best throw of 121-01.

In NAU's first running event of the afternoon, senior Jordan Chipangama ran a solid race but was unable to advance to Saturday's finals in the men's 1,500-meter run. The Zambian record holder found himself being paced at intervals well slower than normal, making the kick in the race's final lap harder than usual.

Chipangama (3:56.16) finished just outside of the heat's Top Five, thus missing an automatic bid to the quarterfinals, but he will leave NAU after a brilliant senior season that included a national record and the Big Sky Conference Most Valuable Athlete honor.

Senior Haley Lawrence, running in her first career NCAA West Preliminary meet, finished the women's 1,500 in a time of 4:41.42, giving her a 41st-place mark to end her great Lumberjack career.

Junior Rochelle Kanuho rounded out the day in the women's 10,000 meters, crossing the finish line in 36:38.90 in 34th place.

Action from Mike A. Myers Stadium continues Friday. The first Lumberjack competitor of the day is Pascal Tang in the men's hammer throw at 12 p.m. Arizona time.