FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (January 14, 2022) - On Friday night, the Northern Arizona track and field program not only hosted their first home meet of the season, but their first home meet in more than two years, bouncing back tremendously from the prior cancellations of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
"It was amazing to be competing back home in the Skydome," said Director of Cross Country and Track & Field Michael Smith.
The Lumberjacks saw over 20 student-athletes make their competition debuts, presented seven event champions and posted nine personal best marks across the board.
Starting the day off strong, Carly Watts placed second with a personal record of 15.34 meters in the women's shot put with teammate Kimberly Buchanan finishing just behind with a throw of 12.34 meters.
The throws squad continued to stay hot throughout the day, as William Beaudry tossed the men's weight 19.71 meters to secure the lead, John Murphy threw a personal best of 18.46 meters, and Garret Bernt recorded a solid mark of 18.45 meters to cleanly sweep the event.
Parker Bays (17.59m) and Jacob Kaufman (17.19m) went fifth and sixth respectively, while CJ McMullen finished seventh with a personal record of 16.55 meters.
Kimberly Buchanan (16.82m) and Jennifer Slater (16.13) represented the NAU women, respectively placing second and third in the weight throw.
Field athletes from all areas were on fire today as Mitchell Effing claimed the men's long jump crown with a leap of 7.20 meters, and Jack Normand won the men's triple jump with a personal record of 14.91 meters.
Lily Margolis and Courteny Weisenberger also set personal bests, respectively triple jumping 11.48 meters and 11.47 meters.
But the team momentum did not stop there, as the track became the heartbeat of the dome. Randy Espinoza became a double-event meet champion after conquering both the men's mile (4:23.56) and 3000-meter run (9:04.87); Aiden Barnhill (4:25.61/9:20.49) posted third place finishes in both races as well.
As Anna Fenske (5:15.12/11:06.66)and Cassi Land (5:18.09/11:11.62) sequentially placed second and third in the women's mile and the 3000-meter race.
Meanwhile Synfanie Crudder PR'd in the women's 60-meter preliminary heat (7.69) and final round (7.66); In addition, David Dunlap (6.82) placed second in the men's 60-meter dash.
Madeline Wilson also posted a women's 60-meter hurdles personal record of 8.89 in event prelims.
The meet concluded with the men's and women's 4x300 relays; LiNay Perry, Marissa Milos, Miracle Onyemaobi, and Melanie Loff passed the baton around the track, reaching the women's finish first with a time of 2:42.88, while the men's team composed of Tyson Givens, Erick Thompson, David Dunlap, and Trenton Givens crossed the line at 2:19.96.
"We will continue to fine tune ourselves as we continue the season and look ahead to Big Sky Championships," Smith said.
NAU will host their second meet of the season, The Lumberjack Team Challenge, on Jan. 21.
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