FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (April 19, 2019) – Kyle Havriliak of the Northern Arizona cross country and track & field teams was honored earlier this week as a Gold Axe recipient. Havriliak was one of 46 recipients recognized at a banquet Tuesday evening.
The Gold Axe Award tradition dates back to 1933, a year after the student body adopted the axe as the symbol for the university's athletics. It is presented each semester to graduating seniors for their outstanding achievements and distinguished service to Northern Arizona University and the greater community.
Havriliak, a Phoenix native, is the Athletics Department's 54th Gold Axe recipient since 2004. Earlier this month, he was also honored as the Golden Eagle Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Graduating this May with his degree in criminology & criminal justice and a minor in military leadership, Havriliak currently sports a 3.75 cumulative grade point average. During his cross country career, he has been a member of NAU's three NCAA National Championship teams in 2016, 2017 and 2018 and competed in 13 meets overall. In his last cross country season in the fall, Havriliak placed 20th at the Big Sky Championship and posted a 74th place finish at the NCAA Mountain Region Championships.
Havriliak's career highlights on the track include a sixth-place finish in the 3000m steeplechase last spring at the Big Sky Outdoor Track & Field Championship. In February, he set a new personal best in the 3000m race as the Lumberjacks earned their conference record eighth consecutive Big Sky Indoor Track & Field title.
Away from competition, Havriliak is a dedicated member of the university's ROTC.
