FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (October 2, 2024) – Northern Arizona's cross country teams are heading to South Bend, Ind., for the Joe Piane Invitational hosted by Notre Dame on Friday Oct. 4, 2024, at the Burke Golf & Cross Country Course.
The women's team will compete in their first 5k of the season at 7:30 a.m. Mountain Standard time while the men's team takes part in the 8k race at 8:15 a.m. MST. Follow the live stats for both races
here. The NAU women will race in the Blue 5k Division and the men will compete in the Blue 8k race.
This week, the Northern Arizona women checked in at No. 1 in the Mountain Region rankings and moved up a spot to tie with NC State at the top spot nationally in the USTFCCCA National Coaches Poll. The Lumberjacks will compete against a stacked field that includes both Notre Dame and BYU who are ranked No. 3 and No. 5 nationally behind NAU. They will also face regional competition in Texas Tech and Wyoming in a field that includes 50 total teams.
On the men's side, the Lumberjacks are currently ranked No. 2 regionally and No. 4 nationally. They will get the chance to square up against 41 other teams, including the hosts Notre Dame who are ranked ninth nationally.
Following their Big Sky Athletes of the Week recognition,
Ava Mitchell and
Justin Keyes return to action in Indiana after their exceptional performances at the Dave Murray Invitational in Tucson this past weekend. Keyes secured first place in the 8k race with a time of 23:04.6, while Mitchell crossed the finish line second in the women's 6k race with a time of 20:45.3. Both squads earned team titles with 15 and 20 points, respectively.
Also competing in the Joe Piane Invitational are
Karrie Baloga,
Hayley Burns,
Alex Carlson,
Alyson Churchill,
Maggi Congdon,
Anna Fenske,
Maisie Grice,
Alexis Kebbe,
Keira Moore,
Nikita Moore, and
Emma Stutzman.
Athletes representing the men's squad this Friday are
Caleb Easton,
Randy Espinoza,
Corey Gorgas,
Cael Grotenhuis,
Erik Le Roux,
David Mullarkey,
Zack Munson,
Kang Nyoak,
Manny Perez,
Santiago Prosser,
Aidan Puffer,
Colin Sahlman, and
Ford Washburn.
NAU returns to action on Saturday Oct. 19 for their fourth meet of the season to compete in the Wisconsin Pre-Nationals in Madison, Wisc. The Lumberjacks will toe the line with some of the best in the nation while having the chance to check out and race on the NCAA National Championship course.
Stay up to date with NAU Cross Country and Track & Field by following the team on X, Facebook and Instagram.
