Courtesy of the Big Sky Conference

Northern Arizona University alumn David McNeill was named the tenth greatest male athlete in Big Sky Conference history yesterday.

When David McNeill was 20-years old, he left Melbourne, Australia, to compete for Northern Arizona University.

"It was a big move to move away from home," said McNeill, who competed in both cross country and track and field for the Lumberjacks from 2007-10. "I came so that I could better combine my studies and my running. My initial plan turned out much longer. I am still here nearly seven years later. It is obviously a huge and positive aspect in my life."

McNeill competed at nine NCAA Championships, won two national championships and finished second twice. McNeill ranks 10th on the Big Sky Conference's list of "50 Greatest Male Athletes.''

"It is an incredible honor," said McNeill. "To be in the top 50 in the Big Sky is an incredible honor. But to be in the top 10, it is hard to believe. I am obviously humbled by it."

"I cannot say enough about David McNeill and what he means to Northern Arizona University," said Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Eric Heins. "He was a fierce competitor on the track, but was one of the most humble, respectful and appreciative student-athletes, I have ever had the pleasure of coaching."

McNeill's Big Sky Championship career started at the 2007 Cross Country Championship. He finished second to future United States Olympian Lopez Lomong.

"It is funny, when I first came to the U.S., I saw myself more as a track runner and had never done as well in cross country as I had on the track," said McNeill. "My first cross country season at NAU when Lopez was there had a huge impart for setting me up for the next three and half years on the cross country and track team, Lopez was an easy-going and fun teammate to be around but when it came to practice time, he really buckled down. I think that rubbed off on me a little bit. I definitely valued cross country a little more after that first season. It was probably one of the most memorable six-month periods of my life."

McNeill finished 10th at his first NCAA Cross Country Championship, helping the Lumberjacks to a fourth-place team finish.

McNeill went on to win the 2008, 2009 and 2010 Big Sky Cross Country Championships. He finished 15th at the 2008 NCAA Championship, and had his best NCAA finish in 2009. McNeill placed second, finishing in a time of 29 minutes, 6.5 seconds. Liberty's Samuel Chelanga won in 28:41.3.

The only other Big Sky athlete to finish second at the NCAA Cross Country Championship was Shannon Butler of Montana State (1990).

"I would have to say it was one of my best achievements while I was at NAU," said McNeill about finishing second at the NCAA. "I won a couple of times on the track, but cross country was something I struggled at a little bit more. It was a little bit further in distance than what I was used to doing."

"That year in particular was my first time competing for Australia at a major championship at the World Championship in August," added McNeill. "And I think that experience really motivated me and set me up for that cross country season."

At the IAAF World Championship in Berlin, Germany, McNeill finished 24th in the 10,000 meters for Australia with a time of 29:18.59.

Leading up to the 2009 cross country season, McNeill had three more experiences on the national level. During the 2008 indoor season, McNeill took eighth in the 3,000 meters with a time of 8:06.18. He went on to finish fourth at the NCAAs in the 5,000 meters with a time of 13:47.17.

His best NCAA track and field finish to that date was a second-place finish in 5,000 meters at the 2009 outdoor championship.

"I think probably the biggest component to my progression from cross country to the indoor and outdoor season, where I had a couple of wins, was more of a confidence thing," said McNeill. "In the previous outdoor season I finished second to Galen Rupp of Oregon, and then followed that up with the cross country second."

Rupp, who now competes for the United States, won the silver in the 10,000 meters at the 2012 London Olympics and was seventh in the 5,000 meters.

McNeill's first NCAA championship came in the 5,000 meters at the 2010 indoor meet, when he finished in 13:36.41. He finished second in the 3,000 with a time of 8:10.96. At the 2010 Outdoor Championship, he captured the 5,000 national title in 13:44.91.

"It was a bit frustrating because I couldn't really use the TV," said McNeill, referring to the fact he was unable to view the big-screen video board during the race. "I really wanted to win. I grit my teeth and tried to hold on 'til the finish line. I was glad to be the first one across. I was just glad it wasn't a really, really fast race. I was ready to have a PR (personal record) if I needed to."

McNeill competed just once at an indoor Big Sky Championship. In 2010, he was second in the mile and won the 3,000. His time of 7:47.52 in the 3,000 ranks second all-time in Big Sky history.

McNeill competed at three outdoor Big Sky Championships. In 2008, he finished second in the 800, and won the 1,500 and the 5,000. He successfully defended his title in the 1,500 and 5,000 in both 2009 and 2010. In 2009, he also finished second in the 800 meters.

Currently, McNeill is living in Flagstaff finishing up his master's degree. He is on pace to graduate in May, and plans to continue to run professionally. His goal is to represent Australia in the 2016 Olympics in Brazil. McNeill made the 2012 Australian Olympic Team, finishing 29th in the 5,000.