FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (February 20, 2026) -  Northern Arizona returns to the Big Sky Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships this weekend with a familiar goal and a familiar position. The Lumberjacks enter the ICCU Dome in Pocatello, Idaho, as the defending men's and women's indoor champions, looking to once again assert themselves at the top of the conference when the meet unfolds Feb. 26–28 on the campus of Idaho State University.
The Big Sky indoor championships have become synonymous with NAU success over the past decade. On the men's side, Northern Arizona has claimed 27 team titles, the most in conference history, and has dominated the modern era of the league. The Lumberjacks have stood atop the podium in 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017, underscoring a sustained run of excellence that has defined the program. The women have built their own era of strength, highlighted by last season's commanding 205-point performance in Flagstaff.
A year ago, NAU hosted the championship meet at the J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome and delivered a sweep. The men scored 188 points to pull away from Montana State, while the women totaled 205 points in a comprehensive team effort that featured scoring across nearly every event group. That meet serves as both a benchmark and a reminder: conference titles are earned through depth, consistency, and execution over three full days.
As NAU heads into Pocatello, the roster once again reflects balance and elite-level marks across disciplines.
On the women's side, the distance group forms the backbone of the team's scoring potential. Hayley Burns enters the meet ranked first in the Big Sky in both the mile (4:25.76) and the 3,000 meters (8:48.10). In the 5,000 meters, Ava Mitchell leads the conference at 15:22.13, with Burns close behind. NAU places multiple additional athletes within scoring range in the distance events, creating the opportunity to stack points in races that traditionally swing conference championships.
The 800 meters adds further scoring potential, with Odessa Zentz ranked third in the conference and Emma Stutzman and Payton Godsey positioned to advance. In the sprints, Shanye Harris ranks second in the Big Sky in the 60 meters (7.42) and is also in scoring position in the 200 meters. Sydnie Watkins provides versatility in the 60-meter hurdles and short sprints, strengthening NAU's ability to accumulate points through preliminary rounds and finals.
The women's field events will also play a critical role. Sariyah Horne-Kemp ranks second in the conference in the weight throw (19.60m), while Ronan Gallagher sits close behind. Brenna Rodriguez is among the leaders in both the long jump and triple jump, and Alexa Hamilton adds depth in the horizontal jumps. Consistency in these events will be essential to sustaining momentum across the weekend.
The men arrive in Pocatello with one of the most complete scoring profiles in the conference. NAU's 400-meter group stands out, led by Josiah Johnson's conference-best 47.32. Nicolas Martinez and Luke Yruretagoyena rank second and third, respectively, giving NAU three of the top performances in the league. Johnson also ranks among the conference leaders in the 200 meters and 60-meter hurdles.
In the 60 meters, Cole Coppedge sits second in the Big Sky at 6.73, adding further sprint depth. Advancing multiple athletes into finals across the 60, 200, and 400 could create early separation in the team race.
The middle-distance events may ultimately define the championship. Colin Sahlman enters ranked first in the 800 meters (1:44.70), mile (3:52.30), and 3,000 meters (7:36.71), giving NAU a front-runner in three of the meet's most valuable events. His championship experience and closing speed provide strategic flexibility, while Tor Hotung-Davidsen, Ford Washburn, Rheinhardt Harrison, and others give NAU additional scoring depth in the mile and 800.
Distance strength continues in the 5,000 meters, where Cael Grotenhuis leads the conference at 13:31.45, with multiple Lumberjacks positioned inside the top 10. Late-meet scoring in the 3K and 5K has historically proven decisive, and NAU once again holds a significant advantage in those events.
Relays will offer additional opportunities to separate. NAU enters ranked first in the conference in both the 4x400 relay and the distance medley relay. In championship settings, relays often carry both scoring and emotional weight, shifting momentum at pivotal points in the meet.
In the field, Desmond Lott leads the Big Sky in the weight throw (22.05m) and ranks among the conference's top competitors in the shot put. Justin Cardoza ranks second in both the long jump and triple jump, while Malachi Marshall also sits among the conference leaders in the long jump. Those performances provide balance to an already formidable track contingent.
The 2026 Big Sky Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships will be held at the ICCU Dome (Holt Arena) in Pocatello, Idaho, from Feb. 26–28. Fans can watch the meet live via the Big Sky Conference's official stream on ESPN +. Live results throughout the weekend will be available here.
Over three days in Pocatello, the Lumberjacks will look to defend both titles, extend their conference legacy, and once again leave the Big Sky Championships with the standard firmly intact.
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