FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (February 20, 2026) – Northern Arizona Track & Field concluded the 2026 indoor regular season Friday with competition split between the University of Colorado Last Chance Meet in Boulder and the NAU Tune Up at the J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome in Flagstaff. The dual-meet weekend served as both a national qualifying opportunity and final conference preparation ahead of the Big Sky Indoor Championships.
By the end of the evening, the Lumberjacks had claimed the NCAA's top mark in the distance medley relay during competition, secured multiple Big Sky top-ten performances, and carried significant momentum into championship week.
At the Colorado Last Chance Meet, Northern Arizona's men's distance medley relay produced one of the premier performances in the nation this season. The quartet of Clay Shively (2:52.9, 1200m), Josiah Johnson (45.47, 400m), Tor Hotung-Davidsen (1:46.97, 800m), and Colin Sahlman (4:01, 1600m) combined for an altitude time of 9:26.58, converting to 9:16.98 for NCAA qualifying purposes.
The mark stood as the NCAA No. 1 time in the country for several hours Friday afternoon before Villanova moved NAU to No. 2 later that evening. The Lumberjacks remain Big Sky No. 1 and firmly within national title contention entering postseason competition.
Assistant Coach Ernie Clark emphasized the importance of Johnson's 400-meter leg and its broader impact on the sprint group. "The 400 group has it in the back of their mind to make that DMR team," Clark said. "We know our distance squad is strong and that we have a shot to be a major contender nationally. So as much as they want to be great sprinters, they're also trying to make that relay."
Clark called Johnson's 45.47 split "a big deal for our group, not just for Josiah, but for the whole sprint unit..It's an indicator of what we're going to do…not just at conference, but outdoors as well."
Back in Flagstaff, the NAU Tune Up provided a final opportunity for refinement inside the Skydome's 300-meter flat track at 6,877 feet elevation. Traditionally the Lumberjacks' final home competition before conference, this year's meet delivered intensity, focus, and sharpened execution across event groups.
Clark noted a visible shift within the hurdle unit in recent weeks. "The hurdle group has really amped up the intensity and energy," Clark said. "There's a lot of focus right now. We are mixing speed and technique without hesitation." In the women's 60-meter hurdles preliminaries, Sydnie Watkins posted a season-best 8.47, just off her lifetime best and school record of 8.44.
"She came out hot in prelims and ran a fantastic season best. I saw it coming and I see more." Jadyn Montgomery followed with a significant improvement of her own, lowering her season mark and moving onto the NAU all-time top-10 list. "She's put in a lot of intensity and internal drive these past few weeks," Clark said. "It makes me really happy to see her getting herself on that list."
On the men's side, Erick Reyes-Aguilera broke the eight-second barrier for the first time in his career, clocking a personal-best 7.98 in the 60-meter hurdles final. The performance moves him to No. 7 all-time in program history and No. 5 in the Big Sky this season (8.02 conversion).
"Breaking eight flat is a really big deal," Clark said. "He's coming off injury, and he totally solidified himself going into conference. He deserves to be there." Assistant Coach DJ Lilley described Christian Mutengela's 2.08-meter (6-09.75) clearance in the men's high jump as a performance rooted in belief and commitment. "Christian was electric," Lilley said. "He brought the energy, the confidence…never doubted himself once. When he committed to the jump, he made sure he finished it." Lilley emphasized confidence as a central theme for the group throughout the season.
"A lot of athletes have the physical ability. Where we struggle sometimes is confidence. This week, we attacked everything head-on. No backing off." In the horizontal jumps, internal competition continues to raise standards. "Justin and Malachi battle every day in practice," Lilley said. "They challenge each other to be better, and that helps the entire team."
On the women's side, steady progression has positioned the group for potential breakout performances at conference. "They haven't hit their PRs yet, but they're creeping up every week," Lilley said. "They're confident, healthy, and rested. We're ready to let them loose."
Makenzie McRae won the women's mile at the NAU Tune Up in 5:01.61. The red-shirt frosh found herself with an altitude conversion of 4:50.66, which strengthens her standing within the Big Sky performance list as the conference championships approach. The win adds to Northern Arizona's growing momentum in the women's middle-distance group entering the postseason.
In the men's middle distances, Jonah Fearnley placed second in the 800 meters in 1:53.28, while Randy Espinoza finished second in the mile in 4:18.14. With altitude conversion, both marks improve on the NAU and Big Sky performance lists, reinforcing scoring depth entering the championship meet.
Collectively, Friday's competitions marked a decisive shift into postseason mode. In Boulder, the men's DMR demonstrated national podium capability and briefly claimed the NCAA's top mark during competition. In Flagstaff, the hurdle and jumps groups displayed confidence, technical sharpness, and upward momentum.
With multiple event groups peaking at the right time, Northern Arizona now turns its full focus to the Big Sky Indoor Championships.
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