FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (February 8. 2024) – As they see a record-breaking season, the NAU track & field team has been named the Big Sky Commissioner's Team of the Month.
The team began their season with the highest week one USTFCCCA National Rankings in program history. The men were ranked third in the country while the women were ranked 12
th.
The men are currently ranked second in the nation after seeing multiple school and conference records fall, along with a collegiate record-breaking performance from
Nico Young.
Young set a new collegiate record in the 5,000-meter at the John Thomas Terrier Classic with a time of 12:57.14, the first sub-13 minute 5K in NCAA history. Only a week earlier, Young also ran the first sub-4 minute mile at 7,000 feet in collegiate history.
Colin Sahlman also had a strong performance at the John Thomas Terrier Classic, breaking both the NAU and Big Sky record in the mile after running a time of 3:53.17.
Also breaking an NAU and Big Sky record was
Garret Bernt, who threw 22.05 meters in the weight throw at the Ron Mann Classic. His mark puts him at 10
th in the nation in the event.
Mitchell Effing also inked his name in the history book this season, breaking his own triple jump school record with a mark of 16.02 meters.
The Lumberjack women are ranked 21
st in the nation this week, seeing strong performances from multiple event groups.
Maggi Congdon has been impressive in the mile this season, running a time of 4:39.24 at the John Thomas Terrier Classic to break the school and conference record in the event.
Madeline Wilson has broken out in the women's sprints this season, breaking the NAU and Big Sky record in the 200-meter twice. She first ran a time of 23.59 at the Axe 'Em Open before bettering her time at the Lumberjack Team Challenge with a time of 23.29.
Both the NAU men and women were picked as unanimous preseason favorites in the Big Sky Coaches' Poll at the beginning of the season. The 'Jacks will compete again this weekend at the Husky Classic in Seattle, Wash. and the Don Kirby Invitational in Albuquerque N.M.
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