Lumberjack Men Capture 22nd Indoor Conference Title

RESULTS (PDF)
PHOTOS
 
BOZEMAN, Mont. (February 22, 2019) – Northern Arizona University's men's track & field program won its 22nd Big Sky Indoor Conference Championship title this weekend in Bozeman, Mont.
 
To go along with the team title Blaise Ferro earned the 2019 Big Sky Indoor Men's Most Valuable Athlete. The New Jersey native won the men's 3000m race with a time of 8:28.90.
 
The NAU men scored 178.5 overall team points on the way to capturing conference bragging rights for a Big Sky Conference record eighth straight time. The Lumberjack women placed third after scoring 75 overall team points.
 
Several athletes made podium on both the men's and women's sides. Men's sprints, distance and throws all captured individual titles throughout the weekend. Women's distance was able to secure two gold medals, to go along with their distance medley victory yesterday.
 
"Our men's team performance was dominating and well-rounded," said Director of Cross Country and Track & Field Michael Smith. "We really showed the depth that our team possess right now. We wanted to make a big statement early and continue to push on day two which we did."
 
THROWS
 
NAU had two female throwers participate in the shot put competition on Saturday. Matilde Roe was NAU's top finisher after she placed fourth in the finals on a 14.52m throw on her fourth attempt. Roe gained five total points towards the Lumberjack women's total team score. Her throw also earned her a new PR in the shot put.
 
The men's throws team set the tempo in a big way early for NAU as they had three student-athletes compete in the weight throw final. Kevin Cooney took home the gold after throwing for 19.35m on his second toss. Cooney gained ten total points towards the 'Jacks team score.
 
"I think now is the time to shift our focus to Outdoors," said Cooney. "Today was a great day for us but I want to build off of this and continue to improve. I really think I can make NCAA Indoor Championships next year and that preparation starts now for me and they boys."
 
Cooney was joined on the podium by teammate Brady Williams who earned the silver medal for his 19.30m throw. Williams was able to obtain eight points for the total team score. William Beaudry was also able to earn the Lumberjack men some quality team points after placing sixth, which would add three more points on the board for NAU.
 
"It was a successful day and I can't take that away from our guys but there is still a lot we need to improve on both the men's and women's sides," said head throws coach Jason Schutz. "We had some great marks out there today. I think Matilde can really make a huge impact moving forward and our guys can only work harder from here."
 
JUMPS
 
The women's jumps team saw Kaitlyn Wayne and Jenna Figueroa participate in the triple jump. Figueroa was able to hit a distance of 10.38m on her second attempt. Wayne hit 10.48m on her second attempt as well.
 
Cameron Rayford earned the bronze medal for his third-place performance in the men's triple jump. Rayford leaped for 15.04m on his third attempt of the day. He would end up contributing six points for the NAU men's team.
 
"Being able to hit a jump at conference was huge for Jenna," said head jumps coach Matthew Harmeyer. "Having only been with this group for seven weeks I see a lot of positives but also know we need to work on a lot moving forward. I think consistency and the ability to get in the right mind state at competition is going to be crucial moving forward."
 
SPRINTS/HURDLES
 
Jada Jackson placed second in the women's 60m Dash to earn the silver medal. Jackson also placed fourth in the 200m Dash with a time of 24.91. In those two events alone she gained 13 points towards the Lumberjack women's team score.
 
"Jada consistently shows up when her team needs her," said head sprints and hurdles coach Alan Dunson.
 
Jackson was also a part of the bronze medal 4x400 team. Maggie Carruth, Clarissa Maxey and Miracle Onyemaobi were featured in that race as well and were able to post a time of 3:48.45.
 
Christopher Grant had a career day after winning two gold medals in two separate events. Grant would take first in the men's 60m Dash and the 200m Dash. He completed the 60m Dash in 6.70, just a few milliseconds faster than second-place finisher Michael Dean out of Idaho State (6.74). In the 200m Dash he finished in 21.80, which would translate to ten more team points on the scoreboard for the 'Jacks. Grant alone earned a total of twenty points for the men's total team score.
 
"I am extremely grateful to have been able to compete today," said Grant. "I want to show appreciation for my family. I also want to acknowledge the great support that coach Dunson has given me. Their belief in me fuels me. Indoor is a foundation to build towards bigger things and I want to continue to progress and move forward consistently."
 
"What's next for Christopher is we need to propel this momentum into Outdoors," added Dunson.
 
Grant's teammate Tyren Wolfe also secured some crucial points for NAU after he placed fifth in the 200m Dash with a time of 22.26. Wolfe earned four points towards NAU's score. Together Grant and Wolfe gained 14 points from just the 200m Dash.
 
Khalil Dorsey placed third in the men's 60m Hurdles with a time of 8.04. His bronze medal performance contributed to NAU's team score in a big way as he accumulated six team points. 
 
DISTANCE
 
Hannah Behunin was crowned as the women's mile champion for her 4:55.42 time in that race. Behunin defended the mile title that teammate Delaney Rasmussen earned a year ago.
 
"I really wanted to go out and run for my team," said Behunin. "Running all these miles with these ladies really makes me smile."
 
Pipi Eitel and Miranda Myers each earned team points for the NAU women's squad in the mile after finishing fourth and seventh, respectively. Eitel finished in 4:56.64 to gain five team points, while Myers ended the race in 5:02.41 to secure two more points.
 
"Witnessing our athletes succeed is what it is all about as a coach," said assistant distance coach ReBecca DeLoache. "The highlight is not found in the outcome or win, but instead in the journey that is required to get there. Hannah executed her race flawlessly with so much tenacity and heart. The confidence and the passion exuded in that race and the growth I have watched her experience; that is what makes these moments so special as a coach."
 
Carruth added another gold medal to her impressive collection after winning the women's 800m Run event. Her time of 2:11.79 amassed 10 points towards the total team score. Behunin placed seventh in that race as well with a time of 2:16.74. Together they gained 12 points for NAU.
 
"Conference is a special meet because it really brings the team aspect back to track and you get to run for something bigger than yourself," said Carruth. "Obviously the women wanted to walk away with a title, but I am proud of how our team dealt with adversity and stayed calm and hungry throughout the meet. The 800 was a messy race but those kind of races are always my favorite."
 
Myers and Rasmussen earned six points off of their performances in the women's 3000m Run. Myers was NAU's top finisher placing fifth at 9:54.53 (4 points) with Rasmussen closely behind in seventh crossing the finish line at 10:01.99 (2 points).
 
NAU captured spots one thru five in the men's 3000m Run. Joining Ferro on the podium was Peter Lomong (2^nd, 8:32.98) and Brodey Hasty (3^rd, 8:34.31). Jack Shea (8:35.33) and Geordie Beamish (8:39.46) finished in fourth and fifth place.
 
"I was happy to be here today," said Ferro. "We all work extremely hard. Earning the Men's Most Valuable Athlete award was a huge honor and something I am extremely grateful for. I like the Big Sky and it is humbling to receive an award like this from them."
 
Beamish won the men's mile off of a time of 4:10.90. This was Beamish's second first-place finish of the weekend after winning the men's 5000m Run yesterday. Ferro placed third to earn the mile bronze finishing in 4:12.27. Luis Grijalva (4:12.33) and Tyler Day (4:14.79) crossed the line at fourth and fifth-place. In total the NAU men earned 25 team points from just the mile race.
 
Ryan Lanley placed fourth in the 800m Run with a time of 1:53.38 to gain five more team points for the 'Jacks.
 
"We are extremely happy to bring home another men's title to Flagstaff," concluded Smith. "This achievement was only possible because of the teams that have come before us. We frequently speak about upholding the legacy of NAU track & field and our athletes understand that relationship with our history."
 
QUICK RESULTS
Big Sky Indoor Championships
 
WOMEN
60m Dash (W): 1. Sinclair Watson, Southern Utah – 7.54 | 2. Jada Jackson, NAU – 7.56
200m Dash (W): 1. Sinclair Watson, NAU – 24.69 | 4. Jada Jackson, NAU – 24.91
800m Run (W): 1. Maggie Carruth, NAU – 2:11.79 | 7. Hannah Behunin, NAU – 2:16.74
Mile Run (W): 1. Hannah Behunin, NAU – 4:55.42 | 4. Pipi Eitel, NAU – 4:56.64 | 7. Miranda Myers, NAU – 5:02.41 | 9. Delaney Rasmussen, NAU – 5:03.73 | 10. Jesselyn Bries, NAU – 5:06.02 | 13. Emma Sjolund, NAU – 5:08.56
3000m Run (W): 1. Lexi Thompson, Weber State – 9:41.47 | 5. Miranda Myers, NAU – 9:54.53 | 7. Delaney Rasmussen, NAU – 10:01.99 | 9. Pipi Eitel, NAU – 10:05.22 | 13. Mikayla Malaspina, NAU – 10:13.11 | 15. Jesselyn Bries, NAU – 10:15.08 | 21. Shannon Molvin, NAU – 10:24.09 | 25. Emma Sjolund, NAU – 10:30.01 | 29. Jenna McCaffrey, NAU – 10:53.81
4x400 (W): 1. Montana State – 3:46.87 | 3. NAU – 3:48.45
Triple Jump (W): 1. Brittany Patterson, Sacramento State – 12.33m | 16. Kaitlyn Wayne, NAU – 10.48m | 18. Jenna Figueroa, NAU – 10.38m
Shot Put (W): 1. Hannah Ringel, Idaho – 14.89m | 4. Matilde Roe, NAU – 14.52m | 9. Alexa Dragone – 13.37m
 
MEN
60m Hurdles (M): 1. Tanner Conner, Idaho State – 7.92 | 3. Khalil Dorsey, NAU – 8.04
200m Dash (M): 1. Christopher Grant, NAU – 21.80
60m Dash (M): 1. Christopher Grant, NAU – 6.70 | NP. Khalil Dorsey, NAU – FALSE START
800m Run (M): 1. George Espino, Southern Utah – 1:52.71 | 4. Ryan Lanley, NAU – 1:53.38
Mile Run (M): 1. Geordie Beamish, NAU – 4:10.90 | 3. Blaise Ferro, NAU – 4:12.27 | 4. Luis Grijalva, NAU – 4:12.33 | 5. Tyler Day, NAU – 4:14.79 | 10. Ryan Raff, NAU – 4:22.04 | 23. Harvey Nelson, NAU – 4:31.23 | 27. Aldo Marquez, NAU – 4:43.53
3000m Dash (M): 1. Blaise Ferro, NAU– 8:28.90 | 2. Peter Lomong, NAU – 8:32.98 | 3. Brodey Hasty, NAU –8:34.31 | 4. Jack Shea, NAU – 8:35.33 | 5. Geordie Beamish, NAU – 8:39.46 | 9. Ryan Raff, NAU – 8:42.99 | 10. Kyle Havriliak, NAU – 8:43.02 | 15. Harvey Nelson, NAU – 8:49.97 | 23. Aldo Marquez, NAU – 9:06.84
4x400 (M): 1. Montana State – 3:14.30 | 8. NAU – 3:21.80
Triple Jump (M): 1. Keshun McGee, Eastern Washington – 15.67m | 3. Cameron Rayford, NAU – 15.04m
Weight Throw (M): 1. Kevin Cooney, NAU – 19.35m | 2. Brady Williams, NAU – 19.30m | 6. William Beaudry, NAU - 18.15m | 10. John Murphy, NAU – 17.40m | 16. Jacob Kaufman, NAU – 17.08m