FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (August 27, 2021) - Following a shorter off-season than usual, as last year's condensed schedule concluded in March, the Northern Arizona cross country teams now gear up for the fall semester of competition beginning on Sept. 4.
Coming off their fourth national championship victory in five years, the Lumberjack men return to racing with five members of the defending title team, including All-American sophomores Nico Young (4) and Abdihamid Nur (7), juniors Brodey Hasty (44) and Drew Bosley (62), and senior Ryan Raff (150).
Meanwhile, the NAU women placed 11th at the NCAA championships and will bring back all seven of last season's national performers, including All-American senior Taryn O'Neill (6), seniors Delaney Rasmussen (44), Jessa Hanson (79), and Bryn Morley (93), as well as junior Jesselyn Bries (171).
The 'Jacks will kick-off their 2021 season with the George Kyte Classic at Buffalo Park in Flagstaff, after waiting over a year to once again host the meet at 7,000 feet.
Two weeks later, the men will return to the previous national championship site, Stillwater, Okla., on Sept. 18 to run on the OSU Cross Country Course at the Cowboy Jamboree, while the women will take a brief hiatus, resuming competition on Oct. 1 in Bethlehem, Pa. for the Paul Short Run.
On Oct. 15, both squads are scheduled to travel to the FSU Invite, giving the student-athletes the opportunity to preview this season's NCAA championship course, as nationals will be held only one month later, in Tallahassee, Fla., on Nov. 20.
The Lumberjacks will then head to Portland, Ore. for Big Sky Championships on Oct. 29; Portland State last hosted conference championships in 2008, with the Northern Arizona men and women making a clean sweep of both team titles and individual champions.
In Ogden last spring, there was a similar feat, as O'Neill earned the women's individual title, contributing to their overall team title, earning back-to-back championships, and their fourth Big Sky trophy in five years.
However, for the Lumberjack men, an individual crown from Nur was not enough to secure a team win, thus landing them in second place, and leaving them hungry for another conference title.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mountain Regionals were not held last year, however, they are scheduled on Nov. 12 in Provo, Utah.
The Northern Arizona men's and women's cross country teams look forward to competing this fall.
Stay updated with NAU Cross Country and Track & Field by following us on Twitter and Instagram.
