ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Northern Arizona University's track & field team competed in day one of both the Iowa State Classic and Don Kirby Elite Invitational. The Lumberjacks found success at both venues as the team took on some of the best the nation has to offer.

Iowa State Classic 

Brian Shrader, Matt McElroy and Caleb Hoover competed in the men's 5000-meter run in Iowa.

"Both races went out at the pace we wanted," said director of track & field and cross country Eric Heins. "About halfway through Brian was still in the lead pack giving himself a chance to qualify for nationals and Matt wasn't far behind him."

Shrader led the way for the Lumberjacks finishing fourth with a time of 13:44.55. McElroy was not far behind as he ran for a time of 13:55.92 on the way to a fifth place finish. Hoover posted a time of 14:35.33.

Paige Gilchrist was impressive in her first experience at a major collegiate track meet. The freshman finished fourth in her heat of the women's 5000m run with a time of 16:32.26.

"For Paige to run the race she did as a freshman was great," said Heins. "She ran a PR through two miles and 16:32 as a true freshman is impressive."

Don Kirby Elite 

Lauren Stuart continues to lead the way for NAU's throws group as she garnered a fourth place finish in the women's weight throw. Stuart's mark of 20.12 meters (66-0.25) was just off of her personal-best and the school record. Jessica Weise posted a best mark of 16.79m (55-01).

"Lauren threw really well and to get the chance to throw on a wood surface was great because that is what the conference meet will be like," said associate head coach Oscar Duncan. "She was disappointed because she wants to go to nationals and a few of the girls beat her, but she had a great day overall."

For the NAU men Gus Margiotta was tops in the weight throw event. Margiotta threw for a distance of 16.21m in route to an eighth place finish. Micael Ljunberg finished tenth in the event posting a best mark of 16 meters.

Futsum Zienasellassie was the go-to guy for the Lumberjack distance team in Albuquerque as he cruised to a first place finish in the men's 3000m run. Zienasellassie was clocked at a time of 8:34.71. Also contributing for NAU was Bahlbi Gebreyohanns (8:53.46), Ryan Wesson (8:53.59) and Dillon Read (9:10.82).

NAU had two groups of women compete in the distance medley relay. The Lumberjack "B" group of Sarah Raber, Melanie Zibrat, Jamie Shrader and Kayla Freeman finished third with a time of 12:22.20. The "A" group of Sarah Baker, Carissa Gwerder, Emily Bartz and Shayla Freeman finished fourth with a time of 12:29.26.

Deante Kemper led the way for NAU in the men's high jump. Kemper finished second in the event clearing a best height of 2.17m (7-1.5). Chris Oestmann also competed in the event, clearing a height of 1.88m (6-2) before striking out at a height of 1.93m (6-3).

On the women's side Lauren Laszczak represented NAU in the high jump. The senior cleared a best height of 1.78m (5-10), two inches off her career-best.

Alexis Clay garnered a second place finish in the women's long jump with a mark of 5.92m (19-4).

"We are still progressing to our goals," said graduate assistant coach Jade Ellis. "I like our consistency and hopefully we can stay this way throughout conference and nationals."

NAU men had athletes compete in both the 400m and 200m dash. Top performer in the 400m was Cameron Coleman who ran for the thirteenth-best time of 49.99 in the event. In the 200m freshman Logan Ne was tops with a time of 22.04.

Shamelle Pless paced the women's sprints posting the fifteenth-best time of 24.37 in the 200m dash.