FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (January 14, 2026) - Northern Arizona Track & Field returns to the Walkup Skydome on Friday, January 16. The Lumberjack Team Challenge will be a full-roster, high-energy meet that serves as a true opening test for nearly every Lumberjack Track and Field athlete. Field events are set for 2 p.m., with the running events beginning at 4 p.m. following the national anthem. Fans can find live results here and the full order of events here.
The Lumberjack Team Challenge has become a staple early-season opportunity for NAU to race freely, compete aggressively, and chase marks the "NAU way." This meet is about rhythm, confidence, and depth with a packed schedule spanning sprints through distance, jumps, throws, and relays. Friday will showcase just how wide the program's reach is. The Lumberjacks enter the meet with an emphasis on all-time marks, conference positioning, and sharpening race instincts across all event groups.
Last year's edition delivered standout performances across the board, particularly in the throws and sprints. Ronan Gallagher etched her name into the program record book with one of the top weight throw marks in NAU history, while Shanye Harris posted one of the fastest 60-meter times the program has seen. The men's throws group continued to surge behind Desmond Lott, who produced personal bests in both the weight throw and shot put, climbing into the NAU all-time top ten in both events. In the women's weight throw, Sariyah Horne-Kemp and Gallagher went one-two, with Gallagher delivering a personal best that ranked among the program's best ever. On the track, Joshua Anderson turned in one of the fastest 400-meter efforts in school history, while Sydnie Watkins advanced to the finals of the 60-meter hurdles and improved her time in the final to finish fifth overall.
This year's meet carries added excitement with several notable debuts and storylines. Derebe Ayele will make his first appearance in an NAU uniform after competing at the World Cross Country Championships, opening his collegiate career in front of the home crowd. The men's middle- and long-distance groups feature strong early-season matchups with athletes like Clay Shively, Ford Washburn, Tor Hotung-Davidsen, Randy Espinoza, Broen Holman, and Jackson Elliott set to race across the mile, 800 meter, and 3,000 meters. Elliott is slated for double duty in the mile and 3K, while Shively follows his mile with an 800-meter effort.
On the women's side, distance standouts Hayley Burns and Ava Mitchell are set to open their indoor campaigns, anchoring a deep group that also includes Anna Fenske, Tess Hannigan, Keira Moore, and others. The women's 800 meters will again feature Odessa Zentz, while the longer events provide opportunities for NAU to establish early strength in the Big Sky.
The sprints and jumps enter the meet with momentum following strong performances at the Axe 'Em Open. Senior Brenna Rodriguez led the way with a win in the women's long jump, launching herself into the NAU all-time top five with a mark of 6.08 meters. Cole Coppedge opened his freshman season, finishing second in the 60 meters placing third all-time in program history. Both athletes headline a loaded sprints and jumps group that will compete across the 60, 200, 400, hurdles, and relays.
For most of the roster, Friday's schedule also marks the season opener for the 400 meters and the 4×400 relays, adding another layer of excitement late in the meet. The men's and women's relays will cap the night, featuring a rotating cast of sprinters and quarter-milers racing for position and chemistry early in the season.
With nearly the entire roster set to compete, the Lumberjack Team Challenge promises a full evening of high-level competition, debut performances, and early-season benchmarks. NAU will look to defend home turf and chase program history.
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