FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (November 10, 2021) - The dominance of Northern Arizona's distance runners appears to be far from over, as the Track & Field and Cross Country programs sign four top recruits: Colin Sahlman, Odessa Zentz, Aidan Puffer, and Samantha Blair.
Colin Sahlman
Sahlman, currently ranked No. 1 in the United States by DyeStat, recently championed the prestigious Clovis Invite, running the third-fastest recorded time in course history (14:29.4), only behind teammate Nico Young, and German Fernandez.
The Camarillo, Calif. star was also named the 2020-21 Gatorade California Boys Cross Country Player of the Year after becoming the fastest high school 3200-meter runner in the nation with a time of 8:43.42 to win the Arcadia boys event last outdoor season, in addition to maintaining a solid grade point average, and volunteering in his community.
The Newbury Park High School senior finished 20th at the 2020 National Cross Country Town USA Meet of Champions, and 53rd at 2019 Nike Cross Nationals to assist his team to two championship titles as well.
Joining the Lumberjacks also means Sahlman will be reunited with former teammate
Nico Young.
"I chose NAU because the team culture is beyond anything I have witnessed. The altitude and the team's drive to be the best really stood out to me, as well as the great coaching staff!" - Colin Sahlman
*Other notable personal bests: 800m - 1:53.20, 1600m - 4:03.58
Odessa Zentz
During the 2021 outdoor season Zentz set personal best times in the 200m (25.12), 400m (57.21), and 800m (2:12.55), becoming the Montana State Champion in all three events, impressively topping her freshman year sweep of the 400m and 800m crowns.
In the midst of the COVID-19 cancellations, she was published in MileSplit USA's 'Dear Running' campaign detailing her passion and appreciation for running.
The Helena High School standout also earned All-State honors in cross country (2019, 2020, 2021), placing eighth overall to cap her senior campaign.
"I decided to attend NAU because the coaches respect my values and are people I aspire to make proud, the team is inspiring, inclusive and tight-knit, and I am inspired by the direction the women's program is headed. I am very excited to be a part of NAU's tradition in track & field and cross country. Academically, NAU is also a great fit for me, where I can balance my passion for competition and academic excellence." - Odessa Zentz
Aidan Puffer
It is no surprise that Puffer currently owns the fastest high school outdoor five-kilometer time after running 14:24.18 at the 2020 Big City Invitational, seeing as by the time he was a freshman at Manchester High School he was already a freshman in high school he was already a three-time world record holder.
At just 11-years-old he set a 5K world record (17:06.05) for his age group, beating it the next year (16:11), and again at the age of 13 (15:47); as a freshman, he qualified for the National New Balance National Championship, broke the national 5K freshman record, and and broke the 5K world record (14:47.46).
"I chose NAU because I felt that it was a perfect fit and aligns with my goals. I want to run professionally after college and I feel that NAU is the perfect place to put all of my focus into my passion. I feel that Flagstaff, Arizona is a training paradise and the team culture here is unmatched. I have a strong trust in the coaches and feel confident in my future at NAU!" - Aidan Puffer
*Other notable personal bests: 1 Mile - 4:08.91, 2 Mile - 8:55.66
Samantha Blair
Blair had two top-five finishes at the largest track venue in Colo., placing second in the 800m with a personal best of 2:11.65 and fifth in the 3200m, also breaking the Eagle Valley High School record with a personal best time of 10:59.27.
She was also the runner up at the 4a Colorado cross country state championship last month, and placed 25th at 2019 Nike Cross Nationals.
"I chose NAU because I really enjoyed the team, the coaches, the culture, and Flagstaff!" - Samantha Blair
* Other notable personal bests: 400m - 58.43, 1 Mile - 4:54.47
