Trouard Earns All-American Status in 5000m, Taylor Advances to Finals of 800m as NAU Competes at Opening Day of Indoor National Championships

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COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Andy Trouard earned All-American honors in the men's 5000-meter race and Ashley Taylor advanced to the finals of the women's 800-meter dash as the Northern Arizona University track and field program competed at the opening day of the 2018 NCAA Indoor National Championships at Texas A&M's Gilliam Indoor Stadium on Friday evening.

Trouard was the first Lumberjack to earn All-American status this season after finishing fifth in the finals of the men's 5000-meter race with a 14:16.39 performance. It was the first indoor All-American award earned by Trouard in his career. He will get another shot at a title in the running of the men's 3000-meter finals on Saturday.

"I'm proud of Andy and his All-American performance," director of track and field Michael Smith said. "That was a nerve-wracking, tactical race. He had a lot of movement in there trying to position himself properly for when the kicking would begin. We saw virtually the whole field together with 400m left and to finish fifth says he was competing well late. Ultimately a race like that will give him great experience for the future. I think he's pleased with tonight but now even more excited to compete in the men's 3000-meter tomorrow."

Ashley Taylor won her heat in the women's 800-meter race and enters tomorrow's final in the fifth position after posting a new personal best of 2:04.50. She will be guaranteed a spot as an NCAA All-American no matter where she finishes on Saturday, the first of her career.

"Making a final in your first NCAA appearance is huge," Smith said. "There was some tactical pieces we discussed after the race which I think she can learn from. Her composure is what benefited her the most in that race tonight. She stayed in it and found herself in a great position with 250-meters to go. Winning her heat, she beat some of the top collegiates in the nation and I think the best is yet to come tomorrow for her."

Jasmine Malone got the evening started as she finished 16th in the nation in the women's 400m dash with a mark of 53.66.

"We need to recognize the significance of having a Big Sky athlete in the NCAA Championships in a sprint event," Smith said. "A power five conference athlete is doing this week in and week out and this is a whole new environment for Jasmine. I think in her case, having so many seasons left in her career in track and field this is only the beginning for her and her journey. We are very proud of Jasmine."

Paige Gilchrist rounded out the night by placing 15th in the country in the women's 5000m race with a 16:38.42 showing.

"I was proud to see Paige competing against the nations best on the track tonight," Smith said. "She's selflessly given so much of herself to NAU this fall and winter. Knowing Paige she wanted more from a performance standpoint but we have to remember she's going against the very best in the country and we'll channel that energy into the outdoor season which is just around the corner."

With Trouard's four points earned for his fifth-place finish the NAU men sit 21st overall heading into the second day of competition.

The Lumberjacks will be back in action on Saturday with the conclusion of the NCAA Indoor National Championships.

Brooke Andersen will get the action underway with the women's weight throw at 3:30 p.m. MST. Taylor runs in the final of the 800-meters at 4:40 p.m. MST and Trouard and Matt Baxter close out the meet for the Lumberjacks with the men's 3000-meter final at 5:10 p.m. MST.

Fans can watch all of the action tomorrow live on WatchESPN.com here.