FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Northern Arizona University's track & field team will travel some of its top athletes to compete at the NCAA West Preliminary meet in Fayetteville, Ark. The three-day meet will begin on May 29 and will feature 17 Lumberjacks. 

"They've all made it to the preliminary round of nationals which is an accomplishment in itself," said director of track & field and cross country Eric Heins. "I think we have a chance to get a few through to the finals, which would be a great way to end an already good season."

DISTANCE

It is no surprise that NAU's distance team is the bulk of the athletes competing next week. The group will travel seven athletes, six men and one female competitor.

Caleb Hoover is the highest ranked men's distance athlete as he goes into Fayetteville ranked 11^th in the west region for the men's 3000m steeplechase. Hoover has a best time of 8:50.49 in the event. Also competing in the steeplechase is Cody Reed whose time of 8:57.33 is good for 30^th in the west region. 

Brian Shrader is expected to lead a host of Lumberjacks in the men's 5000m run. Shrader is ranked 20^th in the region after clocking in a best of 13:49.26 in the event at the Payton Jordan Invitational. After Shrader are Matt McElroy (13:55.56), Tim Freriks (14:02.72) and Josh Hardin (14:03.06). 

The Lumberjack men will have three athletes competing in the men's 10,000m run. Expected to lead the way for NAU, McElroy has the 14^th-best time of 28:51.55 in the race. Behind McElroy are Hardin (29:15.51) and Freriks (29:37.09) who are ranked 29^th and 46^th in the region, respectively.

On the women's side, Melanie Townsend will be the lone distance Lumberjack to compete next week. Townsend is slated to represent NAU in the women's 5000m run. The sophomore is ranked 22^nd in the region with a top time of 16:10.3.

"We have a lot of athletes going and they seem to be in high confidence," said Heins. "It's going to be a challenge to get through to the finals but we have some athletes with experience at this level and that should help." 

Futsum Zienasellassie, Andy Trouard and Paige Gilchrist will not compete next week due to injury.

THROWS 

Shawn Collins' shot put mark of 56-3 (17.14m) at the Texas Relays earned him the final slot at the preliminary meet. Collins is ranked 48^th in the western region and will be looking to contribute a strong showing next week. 

The Lumberjack women will have five athletes competing in the throws category. 

Lauren Stuart is the highest ranked female athlete, going into the meet sixth in the women's hammer throw. The senior has a best mark of 211-9 (64.55m).  Also competing in the hammer throw will be freshman Brooke Andersen (194-9, 59.37m) who is ranked 27^th after having an impressive showing at the Big Sky Outdoor Championship.

Julia Viberg is slated to compete in the women's discus throw. Viberg's season-best is 184-2 (56.13m), good for ninth-best in the western region. 

Jessica Weise spent this season as the NAU women's top shot putter. The junior's top mark of 50-9.25 (15.47m) positions her into 31^st in the region. 

Rounding out the group is Kylene Knutsen who will represent NAU in the women's javelin throw. Knutsen's top performance came at the Texas Relays where she threw a distance of 160-5 (48.9m). The sophomore's mark has her ranked 20^th in the region. 

"The opportunity to compete at a championship meet is a great experience for our athletes," said associate head coach Oscar Duncan. "We have some athletes that have a good shot of making it to the final round. All that matters is what they do on the day, rankings can and have been proven wrong. I'm really excited to see some good results."

SPRINTS

Vernon Jamison will be looking to make his presence felt as he takes on the top hurdlers in the western region. Jamison is currently ranked 16^th for the men's 110m hurdles with a time of 13.9. 

Ashley Taylor's already historic freshman campaign will continue as she competes in the women's 400m hurdles. Taylor's time of 58.83 leaves the newcomer ranked 51^st in the region. 

"My expectations for this week is to go out there with high levels of confidence and compete the way we have been competing all season," said assistant coach Kenny McDaniel. "It's going to be all about executing race plans."   

JUMPS

Deante Kemper is ranked fourth in the region and tied for fifth in the country for the men's high jump. Kemper cleared a best of 7-3.75 (2.23m) at the Mt. SAC Relays.

Lauren Laszczak will represent the Lumberjack women in the high jump event in her final season. Laszczak's top performance was a clearance of 5-10 (1.78m) at the Texas Relays. The senior is tied for sixth in the region. 

"Both Deante and Lauren laid out goals at the start of the year which included indoor and outdoor conference championships, school records and bids to the national championship," said graduate assistant coach Jade Ellis. "They know the work required to meet those goals and are ready to put themselves in the best possible position to accomplish them."