TUCSON, Ariz. – Northern Arizona University's track & field team travelled to the campus of the University of Arizona to compete at the Double Dual Invitational. The Lumberjacks were successful in their attempt to build momentum going into the Big Sky Conference Championships thanks to some clutch performances across the board.
Julia Viberg had an incredible day in the women's discus throw. Viberg's mark of 184-02 (56.13m) was top in the event, a new lifetime-best and qualifying for the European Championships.
"When I PR'd I was very relaxed and just did everything right," said Viberg. "I'm just so happy with the big throw that I had."
Lauren Stuart got NAU off to its hot start with a first place finish in the women's hammer throw. Stuart threw for a distance of 211-04 (64.41m) on the day, just off her personal-best and a new school record.
"I was very excited about today's performance," said Stuart. "I was consistent and finally getting back to where I was at the end of March. I feel good going into conference."
Also competing in the event was Brooke Andersen (177-07, 54.14m), Jessica Weise (172-11, 52.70m) and Anna Padgett (153-10, 46.89m).
Kylene Knutsen was not to be left out for the women's throws unit as she also finished first in her event. Knutsen's threw for a distance of 148-08 (45.31m) in the javelin throw. Behind Knutsen were Sydney Leliefeld (114-02, 34.08m), Padgett (111-10, 34.08m) and Jade Childs (104-06, 31.86m).
NAU had four out of the five athletes competing in the women's shot put throw for season-best in the event. Leading the way was Weise (50-09.25, 15.47m) who finished fourth, followed by Stuart (46-00.5, 14.03), Padgett (40-06.75, 12.36m), Jazzmine Ecker (39-10, 12.14m) and Jade Childs (35-09.25, 10.90m).
On the men's side, Micael Ljunberg took third in the discus throw thanks to a 178-04 (54.35m) effort. Also representing NAU in the event was Gus Margiotta (148-09, 45.33m) and Shawn Collins (136-08, 41.65m).
Collins led the way for the Lumberjack men in the shot put event posting a best mark of 54-08.75 (16.68m), good for a fifth place finish. Rounding out the group for NAU was Ljunberg (52-01.25, 15.88m) and Margiotta (51-08.25, 15.75m).
Vernon Jamison had a career day in the men's 110m hurdles. Jamison blazed to a first place finish with a personal-best time of 13.90, just a hundredth of a second away from tying the third-best performance in school history, Also competing was Deante Kemper who ran the event in 14.64.
"I feel good going 13.9 but I know I can go faster," said Jamison. "Going into conference with that PR I feel good, especially because I know I can still do better."
Competing in the women's 100m hurdles was Childs (14.21) and Alexis Clay (14.83m) who finished sixth and seventh, respectively.
NAU's women's 4x100 team of Childs, Brianna Wilson, Shamelle Pless and Darriel Banks ended the regular season with a record-breaking performance. The group was clocked at 45.55, good for a new NAU school record for the event.
The Lumberjack men also had a strong day in the men's 4x100 relay. Cameron Coleman, Taylor Schneider, Michael Lyles and Jamison teamed to come away with a time of 41.05. The performance catapults the group to No. 1 in the Big Sky.
DeShon Norris was the top Lumberjack in the men's 400m dash. Norris finished fifth overall after running a 48.62 in the event. Schneider (48.67) and Lyles (50.24) also contributed.
Darriel Banks has led the way for the NAU women's sprints group all season and today was no exception. Banks' time of 11.80 was the fourth fastest in the 100m dash. Behind Banks were Pless (12.05) and Wilson (12.13).
For the men, newcomers Timothy Fisher and Jalen Mondane ran times of 11.06 and 11.21, respectively, in the 100m dash.
There were a plethora of Lumberjacks competing in both the men's and women's 200m dash.
On the men's side competing were, Jamison (21.46), Schneider (21.63), Norris (21.97), Fisher (21.9), Coleman (21.97), Mondane (22.22) and Lyles (22.55).
For the women it was Banks (24.17), Wilson (24.52) and Pless (24.56) competing in the 200m dash.
Ashley Taylor continues to rewrite the NAU record books for the women's 400m hurdles. The freshman ran a time of 59.02 in the event, second-best time in school history. Also competing in the event was Amanda Stricker who officially qualified for the conference championships with a time of 1:03.31.
Dai McFadden was impressive for the Lumberjack men. McFadden was dominant in the men's 400m hurdles running away with a first place finish in the event due to a 52.78 showing. Chris Oestmann also competed and qualified for the conference championships with a time of 54.31m.
Cody Reed took on a host of Arizona and Arizona State athletes in the men's 3000m steeplechase. The junior ran away with a first place finish after being clocked at 9:10.80, just under four seconds off of his personal-best.
"Race started out slow and just picked up throughout," said Reed. "The last two laps I knew I could make a move and win. The team is looking really good. With everyone coming up to altitude we will have a large advantage."
On the women's side, Lauren Justus was top for NAU with a time of 10:57.5 in the 3000m steeplechase. Also contributing was Sarah Baker (11:11.15) and Sarah Raber (12:07.75).
Caleb Hoover and Tim Freriks finished second and third, respectively, in the men's 3000m run. Hoover paced himself through the majority of the race before making a late surge on the way to a 8:17.57 performance. Freriks was in second for the majority of the race before finishing third thanks to a 8:21.29 effort.
Kayla Freeman (10:04.12) was NAU's best in the women's 3000m run followed by Heather LaPlante (10:28.7) and Vanessa Estrada (10:45.23).
Andy Trouard returned to his hometown and did not disappoint in the men's 1500m run. Trouard finished sicth in the event with a time of 3:49.87. Josh Hardin finished eighth posting a time of 3:55.02 in his final regular season meet.
Shayla Freeman and Jamie Shrader ran in the women's 1500m run. Freeman finished sixth and was clocked at 4:43.65 and Shrader crossed the finish line seventh with a time of 4:44.41.
Leading the way for the Lumberjacks in the men's 800m run was freshman Michael Chin. Chin finished fifth in the event after running a time of 1:52.33. Caleb Potts also competed in the event and posted a time of 1:54.04.
Newcomers Royal Black and Connor Vincent tried there hand in the men's long jump in Tucson. The duo took on some tough competition in preparation for the conference championships. Black jumped a distance of 21-08.25 (6.61m) and Vincent contributed a 21-04.0 (6.50m) performance.
Alexander Odem was the lone Lumberjack in the men's triple jump field. The junior posted a best of 44-08.25 (13.62m), qualifying him for the conference championships.
Kemper had a solid day in the men's high jump. Kemper finished third clearing a best height of 7-0.25 (2.14m).
Clay took home a first place finish in the triple jump after posting a 39-00.5 (11.90m) triple mark on her first attempt. Also competing was Courtney Brown who added a 36-10.25 (11.23m) showing for NAU.
Lauren Laszczak ended the day with a share of first place in the women's high jump. The senior cleared a best height of 5-09.25 (1.76m).
