TEMPE, Ariz. - Northern Arizona track and field continued to prepare to defend their outdoor titles today at the Sun Angel Classic hosted by Arizona State in Tempe, Ariz. 

"I think we are on a good trajectory to competing in the top three teams at the championships again," said Director Track & Field and Cross Country Eric Heins. "Our strengths are that we have very good athletes leading the way in each event area. Now we need to work on getting the back end of every event closer to the top."

James Fisher led in the sprints today, finishing in the top five of the 100m and the 200m. In the 200m, he finished second with a Big Sky qualifying time of 21.16. In February, Fisher won his first individual conference title in that event. 

In the 110m hurdles, defending champion Vernon Jamison picked up a qualifying mark with his second-place time of 14.17. 

Three other sprinters - Shamelle Pless, Taylor Schneider and Darriel Banks - are also conference qualifiers tonight. Pless posted a time of 24.46 in the 200m, Schneider had a 48.05 in the 400m and Banks had a 11.80 in the 100m. 

Emily Bartz finished second in the women's 800m with a qualifying mark of 2:10.28. On the men's side, Michael Chin posted a qualifying time of 1:52.99. 

The throwers had another successful day, picking up five qualifying marks in four events. Kylene Knutsen highlighted the day with a conference-leading mark of 48.72m in the javelin. Julia Viberg and Micael Ljunberg (discus) along with Gus Margiotta and Shawn Collins (shot put) also picked up qualifying marks. 

Alexis Clay led the jumpers today, posting a Big Sky qualifier of 5.71m in the women's long jump. 

Up next, the 'Jacks are at the Mt. SAC Relays from April 16-18 and at the Beach Invitational on April 18.