'Jacks Protect Home Track Advantage
/ January 25, 2014
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Northern Arizona University's track & field team hosted the NAU Invitational this weekend and did not disappoint in day two of competition.
The men's distance team performed well as they faced some very strong competition. Sophomore Nathan Weitz continues his hot streak as he finished first in the men's 800 meter run with a time of 1:53.73. Matthew League and Michael Chin were also solid in the event finishing third and fourth, respectively.
Brian Shrader and Matt McElroy made their 2014 debuts as they competed in the men's 3,000-meter run. The event was as impressive as advertised. Will Leer, 2013 3000m U.S. Indoor National Champion, and Shrader battled it out throughout the majority of the race until Leer was able to pull away in the last two laps. Shrader came away with a second place finish and McElroy third. Shrader's unadjusted time of 8:11.94 is expected to be one of the top in the nation as he finished just over three seconds behind Leer.
"It was really unexpected," said Shrader. "After cross country I kind of took it easy on the training so I didn't really have any goals. Once I got in the race it was really fast and eventually I just forgot about times and started racing and it ended up being one of the best of my life."
On the women's side freshman Paige Gilchrist ran away with a first place finish in the women's 3,000-meter run. Gilchrist posted an unadjusted time of 10:34.38, 19 seconds ahead of her competition. Kelly Fruth finished second, followed by Vanessa Estrada (4th) and Grace Adams-Handy (5th).
In the women's 800-meter run freshman Kylie Goo led the way for the 'Jacks. Goo finished third in the event with an unadjusted time of 2:18.06. Rounding out the group for NAU was Carissa Gwerder, Shayla Freeman and Melanie Zibrat who took the four through six spots.
Freshmen Carolyn Bethel and Gilchrist looked very strong in the women's mile run posting unadjusted times of 5:10.57 and 5:11.09, respectively.
Gus Margiotta was the top performer for the men's throws team. Margiotta posted the seventh-best mark in the shot put throwing a distance of 16.10 meters.
Lauren Stuart paced the women's throws as she posted a mark of 18.61 meters in the women's weight throw. Stuart's performance was the fourth-best in the event.
Vernon Jamison continues to lead the men's sprints as he won his heat of the 60-meter hurdles and finished second in the finals. Freshman Tessie Edwards and Jalen Mondane competed in the men's 60-meter dash running for times of 7.18 and 7.36, respectively. Newcomer Taylor Schneider posted the best time in the men's 400-meter dash for NAU. Schneider was clocked at 48.95 in the event.
On the women's side there were two heats in which the Lumberjacks claimed the top finish. Shamelle Pless came away with a first place finish (7.60) in the women's 60-meter dash and Brianna Wilson in the 400-meter dash (57.41). Torey Braly also competed in the women's 60 meter dash posting a time of eight seconds even.
Deante Kemper and Lauren Laszczak continues to prove they are elite jumpers. Kemper showed his confidence as he didn't enter into the men's high jump competition until a height of 6'11. Following jumps at 6'11 and 7'02, Kemper looked to up his personal best and the indoor school record as he attempted a jump of 7' 04. Although unsuccessful in breaking the record there is much to be excited about for Kemper's future.
"Coach (Jade Ellis) asked if I wanted to try for 7'03 or 7'04 and I just decided to go for the record," said Kemper. "Even though I didn't clear it I still feel confident going forward."
Laszczak came away with a first place finish in the women's high jump as she posted a best of 5' 09. Jade Childs was also impressive as she posted the fifth-best mark in the women's long jump. Childs jumped for a distance of 5.6 meters.
The Lumberjacks will compete next on February 7th and 8th as they host the Mountain T's Invitational in a two-day meet.
