POCATELLO, Idaho – Northern Arizona University's track & field program completed both day one and two of competition at the Big Sky Conference Indoor Championships. The Lumberjacks found a great deal of success on both the men's and women's side as they look to bring home a pair of Big Sky titles.

Jade Childs started NAU off in impressive fashion on day one as she finished third overall in the women's pentathlon. The sophomore came into the event ranked 11^th in the conference but thanks to a few clutch performances was able to move up eight spots when it was all said and done.

"I'm very excited," said Childs. "I had a dream last night that I PR'd in both events and to do it in my home state makes it that much better."

During the pentathlon the Boise native posted personal-best performances in both the long jump (19-04.25, 5.9m) and 60-meter hurdles (8.68). Childs' mark in the long jump was top in the event by nearly half a foot. The sophomore's performance catapulted NAU to a successful pair of days.

"I think its important to start off on a strong note and I just hoped it would excite my teammates," Childs said. "Nobody on this women's team has ever won a title so we want to try and bring one home along with the guys."

NAU's distance group definitely felt the excitement as they came out firing on all cylinders. Senior Matt McElroy is now the two-time 5000m run champion after finishing first in the event with a time of 14:41.49. The Lumberjacks gained a total of 25 points in the event thanks to the likes of Tim Freriks (2^nd), Caleb Hoover (4^th) and Josh Hardin (7^th). Futsum Zienasellassie also competed and garnered a ninth place finish.

"I wanted to come in and defend my title," said McElroy. "The race went out pretty conservative and Tim helped me out in the last mile so I have to give thanks to him. We're both seniors so this was a great way to finish senior year."

Matthew League and Nathan Weitz were the top NAU finishers in the men's 800m run finishing fifth and seventh, respectively. The duo will compete in tomorrow's final heat as they look to help the Lumberjack men defend their team title.

The men's distance medley relay team of Andrew Trouard, Michael Lyles, Korey Krotzer and Brian Shrader brought in another eight points for the Lumberjacks. The team finished second in the relay with a time of 10:07.13.

On the women's side freshman Paige Gilchrist made her presence known in her Big Sky debut. Gilchrist earned a spot on the podium after finishing second in the women's 5000m run thanks to an 17:37.31 effort.

Following suit in the women's 800m run were freshmen Carolyn Bethel and Kylie Goo. The duo's times of 2:13.03 and 2:13.62 were good for third and seventh place. Both Bethel and Goo will compete in the 800m finals tomorrow.

The women's DMR team of Caroline Hogardh, Amanda Stricker, Jamie Shrader and Sarah Raber also scored for NAU. The group finished fourth in the event adding five points to the team's total thanks to an 12:15.61 effort.

The women's jumps were dominant on day two of competition as they swept both the long and high jump events. Alexis Clay took first place in the long jump after jumping a distance of 5.98m (19-07.5).

"I just went out there and did my best," said Clay. "It's exciting and I just wanted to do my part to help the team."

Lauren Laszczak is the 2014 women's high jump Big Sky champion. The senior wrapped up her final Big Sky indoor trip on top clearing a best height of 1.78m (5-10) on the way to her second conference championship.

"It's really exciting," said Laszczak. "I'm glad I am turning out a strong senior season and this just makes me more excited for nationals. I'm also really proud of my teammates because they are doing what they need to do to give us a chance to win."

On the men's side freshman Royal Black jumped a best distance of 6.42m (21-00.75) in the men's long jump.

The women's throws group garnered 12 points in the shot put event. Jessica Weise led the way as she finished second in the event throwing a best mark of 15.46m (50-08.75). Jessica Bush also scored in the event finishing fifth after throwing a distance of 14.65m (48-00.75).

On the men's side Micael Ljunberg and Gus Margiotta competed in the men's weight throw. Ljunberg recorded a best of 15.83m (51-11.25) and Margiotta a distance of 14.39m (47-02.5).

Childs continued to find success for NAU. The sophomore's time of 8.75 in the women's 60m hurdles qualified her for tomorrow's final. Clay also competed in the event but came short of the finals after recording a time of 8.87.

Darriel Banks and Shamelle Pless will both be looking to add to the women's team in the women's 60m dash. The duo will compete in the finals tomorrow after posting times of 7.52 and 7.56, respectively. Banks came into the event with the top-ranked time in the conference. Freshman Torey Braly also competed, posting a time of 7.94 in her Big Sky debut.

Pless was also impressive in the women's 200m dash as she will compete in the finals after posting a time of 24.32 good for fourth-best in the event and a personal-best.

Freshman Ashley Taylor was the lone Lumberjack to compete in the 400m dash. In her Big Sky debut Taylor was clocked at a time of 57.24.

Vernon Jamison has been the rock of the men's sprints team and today was no exception. The junior's time of 8.03 in the men's 60m hurdles was tops in the event. He will be looking to defend his title in the finals tomorrow. Also qualifying for the finals was Deante Kemper who competed in the event for just the second time this season.

"I feel confident," said Jamison. "Knowing that it wasn't my best time and I'm still the top seed just adds to that confidence."

Jamison also qualified for the finals of the men's 60m dash after being clocked at 6.96. Freshman Logan Ne was strong for the Lumberjacks in his Big Sky debut. Ne posted a time of 7.04 barely missing the cut for the finals.

Sophomore Cameron Coleman led the way for NAU in the men's 200m dash. Coleman's time of 22.32 was the 12th-best time in the event. Also competing in the event were Taylor Schneider (22.65), Jalen Mondane (22.77), Tessie Edwards (23.14) and Ne (23.32). 

DeShon Norris was NAU's top performer in the men's 400m dash. The newcomer's time of 48.9 was the fifth-best in the event and also qualified him for tomorrow's final heat. Freshman Michael Lyles and Schneider also competed garnering times of 49.83 and 50.77, respectively.

Currently the Lumberjack men are in fourth place with 33 points and the women are in first place with 53 points.