FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (January 5, 2023) – The Northern Arizona University Lumberjacks were voted as the unanimous favorites in the 2022-23 Big Sky Indoor Track and Field Coaches' Polls.
Both teams claimed victory at last year's indoor conference championships, with the women scoring the second most points in conference history. This was the women's second consecutive championship, and fourth of the previous five. Meanwhile, the men won their tenth consecutive conference title.
The men went on to see their highest NCAA National Indoor Championships finish, taking fourth place with a score of 29 points. The 'Jacks will return two of the three athletes who contributed to the first podium finish in school history.
Nico Young and
Drew Bosley each earned All-American status in the 5K, finishing third and eighth behind now alumni
Abdihamid Nur's first individual championship. Young and Nur went on to compete in the 3K as well, with Nur taking home a second individual victory while Young finished seventh.
NAU has already seen its first competition of the season, sending Bosley, Young, and
Elise Stearns to the Boston University Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener. Stearns ran her first career indoor 5K in a time of 15:33.74, smashing both the school and conference records to be ranked seventh in the NCAA.
Bosley and Young also had strong outings in their first race of the season, finishing with times of 13:13.26 and 13:15.25 respectively. Bosley also broke the school and conference 5K records, also taking the fifth spot on the All-Time Indoor Collegiate 5K list. Young's time was a new PR, moving up to ninth on the All-Time Indoor Collegiate 5K list. Bosley and Young are currently ranked at No. 3 and No. 4 in the NCAA in the 5K.
The Lumberjacks will continue the indoor season with their first home meet of the year next Friday, Jan. 13 at the Walkup Skydome. Stay up to date with NAU Cross Country and Track & Field by following us on Twitter and Instagram.
Men's Indoor Track & Field Coaches' Poll
1: Northern Arizona (10) – 100
2: Idaho – 84
3: Montana State – 80
4: Idaho State – 61
5: Weber State – 60
6: Eastern Washington – 51
7: Montana – 44
8: Sacramento State – 36
9: Northern Colorado – 22
10: Portland State – 12
Women's Indoor Track & Field Coaches' Poll
1: Northern Arizona (10) – 100
2: Idaho – 83
3: Montana State – 70
4: Idaho State – 69
5: Weber State – 59
6: Sacramento State – 51
T7: Eastern Washington – 42
T7: Montana – 42
9: Northern Colorado – 24
10: Portland State - 10
