FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (February 11, 2026) - Northern Arizona Track & Field heads into a national-caliber weekend with three squads competing in Albuquerque, Seattle and Boston, building off a breakout showing at the New Mexico Collegiate Classic (Feb. 6–7, 2026) that produced multiple Big Sky-leading marks and a conference-best relay time.
The Lumberjacks return to Albuquerque for the Don Kirby Elite Invitational, held Feb. 13–14 at the Albuquerque Convention Center and hosted by the University of New Mexico. Northern Arizona's sprint group arrives with major momentum after last weekend's Big Sky shake-up in the men's 400 meters. Sophomore Josiah Johnson leads the conference at 47.21, followed closely by sophomore Nicolas Martinez at 47.39 and senior Luke Yruretagoyena at 47.51, giving NAU the top three Big Sky times this season. Freshman Jase Weingart added a personal-best 48.52 as the group continues to deepen.
That same quartet, Luke Yruretagoyena, Josiah Johnson, Jase Weingart and Nicolas Martinez closed the New Mexico Collegiate Classic with a 3:10.74 in the men's 4x400 relay, a performance that currently stands as the fastest relay time in the Big Sky this indoor season. On the women's side, sophomore Jordann Germain continues to trend upward after a personal best 55.39 in the 400 meters last weekend, moving into the Big Sky's top six this season and giving NAU another conference-relevant mark heading back to the same facility.
In the field events, NAU will again lean on proven scoring ability and upside across the jumps and throws. Junior Justin Cardoza is coming off a strong Albuquerque weekend that included a season best 15.45m in the triple jump, while the long jump group remains anchored by Cardoza alongside senior Malachi Marshall and sophomore Shon Martin. The Don Kirby meet format consistently provides deep sections and championship style rounds, making it an ideal setting for NAU to sharpen relay exchanges, stack sprint rounds and keep building toward the postseason.
Northern Arizona's distance group will travel to Seattle for the Husky Classic, hosted at the Dempsey Indoor Center. The meet's official schedule is built around Friday, Feb.13 and Saturday, Feb.14 competition. The Husky Classic is one of the premier distance environments of the indoor season, known for fast racing and deep heats, and NAU will use the opportunity to chase high level marks across the mile, 3000m and 5000m while continuing to refine race rhythm and tactics in a championship-like setting.
In Boston, Northern Arizona will compete at the David Hemery Valentine Invitational at the Boston University Track & Tennis Center. The published meet schedule confirms a two day format with men competing Friday, Feb.13 and women competing Saturday, Feb.14, aligning with NAU's entries and the weekend distance emphasis. With BU's famously fast oval and loaded distance sections, the Valentine Invitational is a prime stage for NAU's distance athletes to pursue personal bests and postseason quality marks.
After a weekend in Albuquerque that produced Big Sky leading times, a conference best 4x400 relay and continued progress across the women's 400 and key field event groups. With sprint and field athletes returning to Albuquerque and distance squads racing in Seattle and Boston, the Lumberjacks will spend the weekend measuring themselves against top-tier competition while continuing to build toward the Big Sky and NCAA championship season.
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