Sahlman Wins NCAA 3000m Title as NAU Finishes Seventh at Indoor Championships

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (March 14, 2026) - Colin Sahlman captured the NCAA men's 3,000-meter national championship Saturday night to highlight Northern Arizona's performance at the 2026 NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field Championships at the Randal Tyson Track Center.

Sahlman crossed the line in 7:41.66 in a tightly contested race that came down to the final straightaway. Following a review that resulted in a disqualification in the final stretch, Sahlman was awarded the national title, securing the first individual indoor national championship of his career.

The victory capped a standout weekend for the Lumberjacks and helped Northern Arizona finish seventh in the final team standings.

Earlier in the meet, Sahlman anchored Northern Arizona to a historic performance in the men's distance medley relay. The Lumberjacks captured the NCAA title in the event Friday night, marking the first indoor DMR national championship in program history.

On the women's side, Hayley Burns competed in both the mile and 3,000 meters during the championship weekend. Burns placed seventh in the NCAA mile final with a time of 4:41.78 to earn First Team All-American honors. Burns also competed in the women's 3,000 meters, finishing 12th in 8:58.39 to earn Second Team All-American honors and cap a strong two-event showing at the national meet.

The national title, combined with the DMR victory and Burns' All-American performances, helped the Lumberjacks secure a seventh-place team finish at the national championships; the third-highest finish in program history behind fourth-place finishes in 2022 and 2024.

In his first year as head coach and director of Northern Arizona cross country and track & field, Jarred Cornfield guided the Lumberjacks to a pair of top-10 national finishes, placing eighth at the NCAA Cross Country Championships in the fall and seventh at the NCAA Indoor Championships, continuing the program's tradition of national-caliber performances.

Stay up to date with Northern Arizona Track and Field by following the Lumberjacks on X and Instagram.