FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Northern Arizona track and field heads to Cheney, Wash. this week for a chance to defend their 2014 Big Sky Outdoor Championships at the 2015 championships hosted by Eastern Washington. The heptathlon and decathlon take place over Wednesday and Thursday, but the Lumberjacks won't be in action until 10 a.m. on Friday.

"I think the most important thing we need to do is execute," said Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Eric Heins. "They've earned their opportunity to compete, and now it is about taking advantage of that opportunity. They need to do what they did to get here, and I think both teams will be proud of their accomplishments at the end of the weekend."

Sprints

The sprints team dominated at the indoor championships last February with the men's team sweeping the discipline. Going into the outdoor championships, James Fisher and Vernon Jamison are ranked one and two in the 200m while Jamison also ranks first in the 100m hurdles – he is also the defending champion in that event. In the 100m, Fisher and Jamison are ranked second and seventh. Indoor 400m champion Adel al Nasser goes into the championships ranked fourth in that event.

On the women's side, Shamelle Pless and Darriel Banks are both in scoring position in the 100m, ranked fourth and sixth. Pless also ranks fourth in the 200m.

Distance

Indoor Most Valuable Athlete Futsum Zienasellassie goes into the outdoor meet ranked first in the tbehind him is Matt McElroy, ranking 27th in the 5000m and sixth in the 10,000m. McElroy is the returning Big Sky Champion in the 10,000m. In the 5000m, the 'Jacks are represented by seven athletes, four of them ranked in scoring position. Cody Reed is the returning runner-up in the 3000m steeplechase and is going into this weekend's meet ranked third.

On the women's side, Melanie Townsend is ranked second in the women's 5000m while Kayla Freeman is also in scoring contention with a seventh ranking.

Throws

Julia Viberg and Brooke Andersen have stood out for the 'Jacks all season on the throws front. Both lead the conference going into the championships while Viberg ranks seventh nationally in the discus while Andersen ranks 15th in the hammer throw.

On the men's side, Micael Ljunberg leads the Big Sky in the men's discus while Gus Margiotta is second in the shot put. Margiotta was All-Big Sky in the shot put during the indoor season.

Jumps

Alexis Clay looks to lead the 'Jacks in the jumps with qualifying marks in the long jump and triple jump. Alexander Odem also hit an automatic qualifier in the triple jump and he goes into the championships ranked ninth.

The Big Sky Championships can be followed live here.