FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (February. 14, 2026) - Northern Arizona Track & Field wrapped up a strong weekend across three meets February 13-14, competing at the Don Kirby Elite Invitational in Albuquerque, the Husky Classic in Seattle and the David Hemery Valentine Invitational in Boston. The Lumberjacks produced Big Sky-impact sprint marks, movement in the program record book and nationally competitive distance performances as championship season approaches.
In Albuquerque, NAU's sprint group continued its breakout indoor season. The men's 4x400m relay of Josiah Johnson, Luke Yruretagoyena, Jase Weingart and Nicolas Martinez ran 3:08.98, finishing fourth overall and reinforcing NAU's standing at the top of the Big Sky this season. Johnson opened in 47.01, Yruretagoyena followed in 47.08, Weingart split 48.07 and Martinez closed in 46.81. The group continues to build off individual 400-meter momentum, where Johnson (47.21), Martinez (47.39) and Yruretagoyena (47.44) rank among the conference leaders. Johnson also ran 8.03 in the 60m hurdles prelims, with Shon Martin at 8.14, keeping both inside the Big Sky mix.
The biggest movement of the weekend came in the triple jump. Justin Cardoza jumped 15.82m (51-11.00), moving to No. 2 in NAU indoor history, trailing only Mitchell Effing's 16.02m school record. It's one of the top marks in the conference this season and another step forward for NAU's jumps group. In the throws, Desmond Lott recorded 17.10m (56-1.25) in the shot put, adding to a season that already includes top-tier Big Sky marks in the weight throw.
In Seattle at the Husky Classic, NAU's distance group gained quality reps in deep fields. Kang Nyoak ran 4:04.39 in the mile, while Payton Godsey clocked 4:45.97 on the women's side. In the 5000 meters, Broen Holman (14:13.02) and Zack Munson (14:16.75) competed in competitive sections as the group continues sharpening ahead of the postseason. Ava Mitchell delivered one of the top performances of the weekend for Northern Arizona, running 15:22.13 to finish sixth overall in a deep, nationally competitive field.
NAU's middle-distance group delivered one of the strongest statements of the weekend in the men's 800 meteres. Rhinhardt Harrison finished second overall in 1:46.93, in one of the fastest collegiate 800 fields of the season. Harrison's mark sits firmly among the NCAA's top times this year and strengthens his standing within NAU's all-time list. Close behind, Tor Hotung-Davidsen placed third in 1:47.89, giving the Lumberjacks two athletes on the podium in a nationally competitive race!
In Boston at the David Hemery Valentine Invitational, the distance squad stepped into one of the fastest environments in the country. Hayley Burns ran 8:48.10 in the 3000m to finish fifth overall, establishing herself firmly in the national conversation this season. Newcomer Grace Copeland added 9:12.33 in the 3000 meters, continuing to build momentum in her first indoor season with the Lumberjacks.
Across three cities, NAU showed balance, sprint depth at the top of the Big Sky, a major all-time mark in the triple jump, and distance performances that stack up nationally. With Big Sky Championships approaching, the pieces are coming together at the right time.
Northern Arizona now turns its focus to the final stretch of the indoor regular season. The Lumberjacks will split squads again on Feb. 20, competing at the University of Colorado Last Chance Meet in Boulder while also hosting the NAU Tune Up in Flagstaff.
The indoor season will then culminate at the Big Sky Indoor Championships, set for Feb. 26–28 in Pocatello, Idaho, where NAU will look to convert conference-leading marks and national-caliber performances into podium finishes!
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