WALNUT, Calif. - Northern Arizona University's track & field team traveled to Walnut, Calif., this weekend as they completed day one of competition at the 56th annual Mt. SAC Relays. The Lumberjacks will be looking to improve as the weekend progresses as they look to prepare for the Big Sky Outdoor Championships.

"Coming off such a good weekend, it was a weird night, we didn't have anybody really step up and compete really well," said director of track & field and cross country Eric Heins. "Hopefully tomorrow we can put up some better marks."

Cody Reed opened up the day for NAU with a fifth place finish in his heat of the men's 3000m steeplechase. Reed was clocked at 9:08.63, a little over two seconds off his personal-best.

For the women, Sarah Raber competed in the 3000m steeplechase as well. Raber ran a time of 11:18.33, less than a second off of a registering a new personal-best in the event. The senior's effort was good for a 14^th place finish against the field of 24.

Bahlbi Gebreyohanns represented NAU in the men's 10,000m run. Gebreyohanns was clocked at 30:43.04 in the event, good for a 25^th place finish against the large field of 46 and a bid to the Big Sky Outdoor Championships.

Bryan Clay Invitational

NAU had three athletes compete in the women's hammer throw on the first day of competition. Lauren Stuart was the top performer in the event for the Lumberjacks. Stuart finished second in the final heat of the event that featured some of the nation's best. The senior threw a best of 199-00 (60.66m) in the event.

Brooke Andersen also competed in the top heat of the women's hammer throw. Andersen finished right behind Stuart in third place thanks to a best mark of 187-05 (57.12m). The newcomer's mark was just off of her career-best.

Jessica Weise represented the Lumberjacks in the second heat of the hammer throw. Weise's 165-03 (50.37m) performance was good for a fourth place finish in the heat.