FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (January 12, 2022) – The Northern Arizona University track & field teams will host their first meet of the indoor season this Friday. The Axe 'Em Open will begin with field events at 1:00 P.M. MT and races will start at 4 P.M.
Athletes from AAG Sports Academy, Arizona State, Athlete.X, Banfield Performance, CSU Bakersfield, Eastern New Mexico, Elite Sports, Grand Canyon, Nevada Track Club, Ottawa (AZ), Park Gilbert, Phoenix College, Phoenix Track Club, Phoenix Youth Track Club, Showtyme, SinCity Track Club, Team F.O.C.O.X, Throwers Respect T&F, Valley Vipers, and Verde Track Club will compete at the meet.
The meet will be headlined by Big Sky defending champions
David Dunlap and
Alyssa Colbert who each claimed victory in both the 60m and 200m last season. Another top sprinter in the conference,
La Trouchka Duke, will also be competing for the Lumberjacks. Colbert, Dunlap, and Duke will each compete in the 60m and 200m.
Other women's sprinters who will be competing will be
Kenya Coburn,
LiNay Perry,
Kyairra Reigh,
Jyntry Rucker,
Alonna Johnson, and
Marissa Milos. The men's team will see
Kyle Smith,
Matthew Roma,
Karsen Burke,
Trenton Givens,
Tyson Givens, and
Ethan Seppala return.
Madeline Wilson will make her return to the track and pit after a historic season last year in which she broke the school record in the 60m hurdles. Wilson will compete in the 60m hurdles as well as in the long jump.
The throwers will have a total of eight returners competing on Friday.
Alaina Diggs will be competing in the shot put for the women, while
Parker Bays,
Jake Tucker,
Blake Baloun,
Cole White, and
CJ McMullen will be competing for the men. In the weight throw, the men will have
John Murphy, and
Jay Nielsen along with Bays and White.
The jumps squad also has multiple returners who will compete, including
Jack Normand,
Mitchell Effing,
Sirr Butler,
Joshua Bennett, and
Ian Lipsey. For the women
Jenna Figueroa,
Lily Margolis, and Kensahalee Kerr will also be competing.
Maggi Congdon will be making her indoor debut for the middle-distance crew coming off a highly successful cross country season.
Aiden Barnhill will be the lone member of the men's distance team to compete in this first meet.
The Jacks will also see many newcomers compete, with
Janelle Sanchez and
Anthony Lorenzo competing for the sprints squad. In the jumps and multis group,
Olivia Conklin,
Gabbie Hasskamp,
Brenna Rodriguez, and
Malachi Marshall will be making their debuts.
Sariyah Horne-Kemp and
Desmond Lott will also be competing in their first meets for NAU, with Lott coming in as a sophomore transfer.
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