FLAGSTAFF, Arizona. (Jan. 16, 2026) - Northern Arizona delivered a strong home performance Friday night inside the Walkup Skydome at the Lumberjack Team Challenge, highlighted by NCAA leading mile victories from Hayley Burns and Tor Hotung-Davidsen, along with a dominant showing from the throws group that swept the top three in both the women's and men's weight throw.
Hotung-Davidsen set the standard on the men's side, winning the mile in 4:02.31 to stand as the top time in the NCAA at the time of the meet. The senior led a home-track showcase for the Lumberjacks, with Ford Washburn finishing runner-up in 4:03.60 and Manny Perez placing third in 4:13.70, giving NAU a 1-2-3 finish in the event.
In the women's mile, Hayley Burns authored the night's signature distance performance, winning in 4:35.77 to move to No. 1 in the NCAA at the time of competition. Northern Arizona controlled the event from the front, sweeping the top four places as Emma Stutzman finished second (4:48.62), Ava Mitchell took third (4:50.22), and freshman Payton Godsey placed fourth (4:55.84).
Northern Arizona also made its mark on the track in the sprint events. In the women's 60 meters, the Lumberjacks went 1-2 in the finals, led by Ariel Haygood, who won in 7.56, while Sydnie Watkins finished second in 7.63. Watkins doubled back later in the night to claim the women's 200 meters title in 24.73, with Shanye Harris adding a runner-up finish in 24.92.
Watkins continued her standout night in the hurdles, capturing the women's 60-meter hurdles crown in 8.58, while Jadyn Montgomery and Kaelyn Giarrusso also advanced to the finals. Northern Arizona capped the women's sprint success with a win in the 4×400 relay, as the quartet of Bella Brauc, Ariel Haygood, Alaynah Reed, and Jordann Germain took first in 3:51.43.
On the men's side, Jase Weingart delivered a highlight performance in the 200 meters, winning in 21.77, while Blaise Nelson led NAU sprinters in the 60 meters with a fifth-place finish in the finals (6.95). The Lumberjacks also secured the men's 4×400 relay victory, as Josiah Johnson, Joshua Anderson, Nicolas Martinez, and Weingart combined for a winning time of 3:14.30.
In the jumps, Northern Arizona posted multiple top finishes. Justin Cardoza claimed the men's long jump title with a winning mark of 7.45m, while Alexa Hamilton secured the victory in the women's triple jump, jumping 12.02m. Kaelyn Giarrusso added a podium finish in the women's high jump, placing third at 1.62m.
While the miles grabbed national attention, the throws ensured the meet belonged to NAU from the circle as well. In the men's weight throw, Desmond Lott captured the win with a best mark of 21.20m, and the Lumberjacks completed a 1-2-3 sweep as Nikolas Strait finished second (18.58m) and Ryan Edelman placed third (17.27m).
On the women's side, Northern Arizona mirrored that dominance. Ronan Gallagher won the weight throw at 19.22m, followed by Sariyah Horne-Kemp in second (18.04m) and Larissa Francois in third (16.11m) to complete another top-three sweep. Francois later doubled back and added an event win in the women's shot put, taking first with a mark of 13.22m.
With two NCAA-leading mile performances, sprint and relay victories, jumps titles, and a throws group that owned both weight throw competitions, Northern Arizona closed the Lumberjack Team Challenge with verified top-end marks and strong depth across disciplines at home.
Stay up to date with Northern Arizona Track and Field by following the Lumberjacks on X and Instagram.
