FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (March 1, 2025) – For the fifth-straight season, both the Northern Arizona men's and women's track and field teams claimed Big Sky Conference Indoor titles this afternoon at the Skydome in Flagstaff, Ariz.
The men defended their home track with their 13
th-straight indoor title with 188 points, besting Montana State who placed second with 148 points. The women defend for the fifth-straight year with 205 points, topping the Bobcats who took second with 205 points.
Northern Arizona also took home some hardware, as
Drew Bosley was named the meet's Most Valuable Athlete along with teammate
LiNay Perry who won on the women's side. Additionally, Perry won Most Outstanding Performer for her conference record in the 400-meters.
Kiki Vaughn claimed Freshman of the Year on the women's side.
On the day, Northern Arizona won 11 Big Sky titles and 22 All-Big Sky honors total. It also set four new all-time records, including two Big Sky Conference records in the women's 4x400-meter relay and the women's 400 meters. Over the weekend, the Lumberjacks won 16 Big Sky titles.
Perry had a historical performance in the 400-meters with a personal best of 52.27 that broke NAU's and the Big Sky's all-time record.
Kyairra Reigh saved her best 400-meters for last this season, placing second with a personal best that ranks second all-time behind Perry. Also picking up points for the 'Jacks in the women's 400-meters was
Maggi Congdon who placed fifth in 53.73, setting a personal best for the second-straight race that ranks fifth all-time.
Perry had quite the day, as she won the 200-meters in 23.54 for a new personal best that ranks second all-time. Reigh finished six in the event, picking up three points for NAU after running 24.28.
The day started out strong with a sweep in the men's mile.
Colin Sahlman led the way in 4:05.18 and he was followed by
Drew Bosley who ran a season-best 4:05.71.
David Mullarkey joined them on the podium after crossing the line in 4:06.37.
Ford Washburn (5
th, 4:07.64) also earned points in the event.
Sahlman was a double-champion, as he also won the 800-meters for the second-straight season in 1:51.20. Also earning points in the event were Washburn (5
th, 1:53.28), and
Kang Nyoak (6
th, 1:53.40).
The night after winning the mile, Bosley won the 3,000-meters in 8:17.03. Mullarkey placed second, crossing the line in 8:23.63. Le Roux just missed the podium, finishing fourth in 8:25.41. Also picking up points were
Santiago Prosser (6
th, 8:29.37),
Aidan Puffer (7
th, 8:29.70) and
Cael Grotenhuis (8
th, 8:30.54).
In the women's mile, the Lumberjacks dominated by taking every point available.
Maggi Congdon won the gold in 4:50.73 and
Elise Stearns (2
nd, 4:51.96) and
Karrie Baloga (3
rd, 4:53.23) also raced to All-Conference honors. Also picking up points were
Alexandra Carlson (4
th, 4:54.39),
Ava Mitchell (5
th, 4:55.61),
Hayley Burns (6
th, 4:56.69),
Agnes McTighe (7
th, 4:58.53), and
Emma Stutzman (5:00.93).
Carlson and Stearns also earned All-Big Sky honors in the 800-meters, with Carlson taking the gold in 2:09.14. Stearns placed third in 2:10.84 and sandwiched in the middle was Vaughn who earned her first All-Big Sky honor, placing second in 2:10.84.
Baloga led a whole pack of 'Jacks in the women's 3,000-meters, winning gold in 9:29.27. She just edged Burns who placed second in 9:29.27. The only other competitor to break the 'Jacks up was Montana State who placed third, after that, NAU finished 4-5-6-7-8-10. Earned points in the event were
Anna Fenske (4
th, 9:41.75),
Ava Mitchell (5
th, 9:45.32),
Ali Upshaw (6
th, 9:47.99),
Maisie Grice (7
th, 9:52.99) and
Alexis Kebbe (8
th, 9:54.32).
Northern Arizona picked up a pair of titles in the men's and women's 4x400-meters. The men's team made up of Anderson, Johnson, Givens and Sahlman clocked 3:12.13. On the women's side, Reigh, Congdon,
Taylor Jacobs and Perry set an all-time Big Sky record and Northern Arizona program record in 3:35.48.
Sydnie Watkins, in her first-ever Big Sky Championships, placed third overall to earn All-Big Sky honors with a time of 8.50.
In the field events,
Desmond Lott won the shot put after winning the weight throw with a meet record the night before. He tossed 18.43-meters for a new personal best that ranks third all-time. Also earning All-Conference honors was
Sirr Butler in the triple jump, placing second after leaping 14.98-meters.
The Lumberjacks performed strong in the 60-meter hurdle finals, led by
Tyson Givens who was fourth in 8.01.
Josiah Johnson (6
th, 8.11) and
Shon Martin (7
th, 8.20) also picked up big points for NAU.
Johnson also competed in the 400-meters where he placed seventh with a time of 48.21.
Joshua Anderson led the 'Jacks in the 400-meters, placing sixth with a personal best of 47.81.
A select number of Lumberjacks will await selections for the NCAA Division I Indoor Championships, set for March 14-15 in Virginia Beach, Va.
