FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Northern Arizona University's track & field team completed day one of competition as they host the Mountain T's Invitational this weekend. The Lumberjacks were paced by some personal-best performances by a number of athletes.

To start the day Jade Childs garnered a first place finish in heat two of the pentathlon 60m hurdles. Childs' time of 8.90 is a personal-best and paced her to a sixth place finish in the pentathlon event overall.

"She had a decent day, but she can do a lot better," said graduate assistant coach Jade Ellis. "Hopefully with the training and more experience she can reach her potential this season."

Senior Lauren Laszczak was the highlight of day one of competition. Laszczak not only set a personal record in the women's high jump, she tied the second best mark all-time here at NAU. The senior cleared a height of 1.83m (6-0) for the first time in her career.

"It is so exciting," said Laszczak. "It's such a great milestone to be able to reach that height."

Laszczak has her eyes set on making it to the national stage this season and with her performance it seems likely as her mark is the fifth-best in the country right now.

"My focus is on nationals and getting better for that," Laszczak said. "Conference is important to me but at this point if I can be a national qualifier that's what I am set on."

In the men's high jump Deante Kemper finished third posting a best height of 2.15m (7-0) on the day.

Alexander Odem was the lone Lumberjack to compete in the men's triple jump. Odem finished fourth in the event posting a mark of 13.26m (43-5). Nicole Fotinos led the way for NAU in the women's triple jump posting a mark of 10.98m (36-0), leaving her tied for first place.

In the throws department the NAU men were led by Micael Ljunberg and Gus Margiotta. The duo competed in the men's weight throw and finished sixth and seventh, respectively. For the women Lauren Stuart and Julia Viberg swept the one and two spots of flight two of the women's shot put posting marks of 13.41m (43-9) and 12.91m (42-3), respectively. Top performer on the women's side was Jessica Weise who threw for a distance of 14.66m (48-1) in the final flight of the shot put.

The Lumberjack men's sprinters ran away with four first place finishes in heats of the 200m dash by Logan Ne, Jalen Mondane, Fabian Lopez and Michael Lyles. Ne continues to prove he belongs as he not only finished first in his heat but his time of 21.90 was the fifth best posted in the event.

"Coming out of high school I just want to work hard because I know I have to earn my spot," said Ne.  "I'm just working to get better every week and I have to thank coach (assistant coach Kenny McDaniel) for all the training."

On the women's side Shamelle Pless and Amanda Stricker found success as they both won their heats of the women's 200m dash. Pless' time of 24.48 was the top time recorded in the event.