BOSTON, Mass. (Dec. 6, 2025) - Northern Arizona Track & Field opened its 2025–26 indoor campaign on one of the sport's fastest stages, returning to Boston University for the Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener. Long regarded as the meet where the Lumberjacks set the tone for the year, BU once again delivered early NCAA-level marks and a series of all-time program performances.
The day belonged to Colin Sahlman, who continued to elevate his national profile with another elite display on the BU oval. Sahlman won the men's invitational 3000 meters in 7:36.71, controlling the race with composure and closing authority. The performance further solidifies the sophomore as one of the nation's top returners entering the indoor season.
NAU's first event victory of the meet came early, as Josiah Johnson made a sharp season debut to win the men's 400 meters in 47.92. Johnson ran with poise throughout the two-lap race, kicking strongly off the final curve to secure the team's opening win of the day.
Across two open sections of the men's 3000m, NAU's young duo delivered steady, controlled season openers. Clay Shively - 8:00.15, 8th (Heat 2). Showed patience and tactical rhythm, continuing momentum from a strong fall.Ford Washburn - 8:00.98, 17th (Heat 1).
The Jacks closed their men's distance slate with stable, consistent results in the 5000 meters:Derebe Ayele - 13:56.54, 6th,. Kang Nyoak - 13:56.72, 7th. Zack Munson added a season-opening 14:19.43 to round out the group.Northern Arizona's women turned in one of the strongest collective early-season 5000m performances in program history, stacking personal bests, all-time marks, and four additions to the NAU Top 20 list.
Hayley Burns continued her ascent with a sensational run, finishing 2nd in Heat 1 in 15:29.84, a major personal best that launches her to No. 3 all time at NAU.
Ava Mitchell delivered another standout effort, placing 13th in Heat 1 in 15:44.63, good for No. 8 all-time in program history. Agnes McTighe closed out NAU's top section with a 16:27.95, securing No. 15 all-time indoors.
Keira Moore - 15:54.65 (No. 11 all-time)
Payton Godsey - 16:17.58 (No. 18 all-time)
Kiki Vaughn - 16:46.00
Anna Fenske - 16:46.56
The Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener once again served as NAU's early-season launching pad, with both sprint and distance groups establishing momentum and the women's distance squad producing one of the deepest collective 5K outings in program history.
The Lumberjacks return to Flagstaff to continue preparations for the indoor campaign, which resumes in January at the Friday Night Axe 'Em Open.
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