FARMINGTON, Utah (March 7, 2025) – Following the Northern Arizona track and field team's fifth-straight Big Sky Conference title sweep, head coach
Michael Smith has been unanimously named the Big Sky's men's and women's Indoor Coach of the Year.
It marks his eighth men's honor and seventh women's honor indoors. Smith also unanimously earned men's and women's coach of the year honors in cross country as well after both squads swept the titles.
The men won their 13
th consecutive Big Sky Conference Championship this season, winning in Flagstaff.
Drew Bosley was named Men's Most Valuable Athlete after scoring 28 points by winning both the 3,000 and the 5,000-meters and finishing second in the mile. Smith also coached
Colin Sahlman to two Big Sky Conference all-time records in the 800-meters and the mile.
The Lumberjack women won their fifth-straight conference title.
LiNay Perry was named the women's Most Valuable Athlete and Most Outstanding Performer after scoring 22.5 points for NAU, winning both the 200 and the 400-meters. She clocked 52.27 in the 400-meters to set a new Big Sky Conference record, and her 200-meter time was a personal best that ranks second in NAU history.
Perry was one of five Big Sky Conference records set by the Lumberjack women this indoor season.
Maggi Congdon set the mile record, while
Elise Stearns broke the all-time records in the 3,000-meters and the 5,000-meters. Additionally, the women's 4x400 team clocked 3:35.48 at the conference championships for a conference record, and the women's distance medley relay team ran the third fastest time in NCAA history this February.
NAU scored 205 points on the women's side at the Big Sky Championships, breaking the record for the most points scored at a championship for the second-straight year. The Lumberjacks were also ranked as high as 17
th nationally this season.
The indoor season continues for Smith and the Lumberjacks next week in Virginia Beach, Va., for the 2025 NCAA Division I Indoor National Championships. NAU is sending nine athletes in Sahlman (mile, 3k), Bosley (3k, 5k),
Desmond Lott (weight throw), Stearns (3k, 5k),
Ali Upshaw (5k,) Congdon, (mile, DMR), Alex Carlson (mile, DMR),
Agnes McTighe (DMR) and
Kyairra Reigh (DMR).
