TUCSON, Ariz. (April 10) - The Northern Arizona track and field program departs from Tucson after a successful day in the desert.
With the distance team now in full swing, the Lumberjacks take home four first place finishes, all earned by the distance men and women.
All-American senior Luis Grijalva made his first appearance of the outdoor season, leading the men's 1500 meter race; Grijalva ran a personal best time of 3:39.02, breaking the Roy P. Drachman Track & Field Stadium record of 3:39.15 set by Fila runner Adam Goucher, which has been in place since 1999.
Women's senior Jeralyn Poe also ran a personal best time in the 1500 meter race; finishing in 4:20.70, Poe secured first place in the event.
Another first place finish was obtained in the women's 3000-meter steeplechase. Senior Mikayla Malaspina set a personal record time of 10:21.27 and earned first place for the 'Jacks.
The last gold medal performance of the night came from junior Melanie Loff (2:07.49) in the women's 800-meter run.
However, men's senior Ryan Lanley also shared in a top Lumberjack finish. Lanley (1:50.23) placed second overall in the men's 800-meter run.
The throws unit saw several personal records and strong performances as well.
Senior Nick Coghill placed third in the men's shot put with a new personal best mark of 18.06 meters.
While on the women's side, freshman Alaina Diggs (14.99m) finished fifth in the shot put.
Throws teammate, junior Matilde Roe, led the Lumberjack women in both the javelin (46.43m) and discus (49.66m), placing fourth and fifth respectively.
Junior William Beaudry accomplished a similar feat, finishing the highest of the Lumberjack men in the hammer throw (57.29m), and javelin (54.21m); Beaudry placed sixth overall in both events.
Senior Parker Joens and sophomore Kimberly Buchanan each finished seventh to lead NAU's throwers in their respective events. Joens threw a personal best mark of 55.24 meters in men's discus while Buchanan threw 55.42 in the women's hammer throw.
Although the jumps crew was slim today, junior Jenna Figueroa managed to find her groove.
After placing 13th in the women's long jump to begin the day, Figueroa finished the night with a personal record of 12.17 meters in the women's triple jump, placing fourth overall.
The sprinters and hurdlers also asserted themselves on Saturday,
Both the men's (3:20.62) and women's (3:42.72) 4x400-meter relay team finished in third place.
Senior Miracle Onyemaobi had an individual third place finish as well, running a new personal best time of 54.63 in the women's 400-meter race.
Fellow Lumberjack senior Erick Thompson Jr. (49.08) finished eighth for the NAU men in the 400-meter race.
Women's freshman hurdler Kiana Kai led the 'Jacks in two events today; Kai placed sixth in the 100-meter hurdles (14.21) and the 400-meter hurdles (1:01.32).
Meanwhile, men's senior hurdler Carter Bracken also took control for the Lumberjacks, finishing fourth and fifth in the 110-meter hurdles (14.18), and the 400-meter hurdles (52.64) respectively.
Sophomore Kenya Coburn set a personal record time of 12.29 in the women's 100-meter dash and finished 10th overall.
The men and women's 200-meter dash saw men's junior David Dunlap (21.63), and women's sophomore Lily Margolis (26.15) finish seventh and 13th overall.
The Lumberjacks will return to competition in two weeks at the Canyon Invitational hosted by Grand Canyon on April 24.
Stay up to date with the Lumberjacks by following NAU Track & Field and Cross Country on Twitter and Instagram.
