MESA, Ariz. (March 28, 2026) – Northern Arizona Track & Field opened the 2026 outdoor season with a strong all-around performance at the inaugural Carvel Jackson Memorial Track & Field Showcase on Saturday at Mesa Community College, highlighted by multiple event wins, facility-leading marks and standout debuts across event groups.
Leading the way for the Lumberjacks was Josiah Johnson, who delivered one of the top performances of the meet with victories in both the 400-meter hurdles (49.56) and the 200 meters (21.02). His time in the 400-meter hurdles set a new NAU school record, marking a major early-season statement in his outdoor debut.
The Lumberjacks carried momentum from their Big Sky indoor sweep into the outdoor opener, showcasing depth across sprints, distance, jumps and throws.
NAU's throws group set the tone early in the day, led by Sariyah Horne-Kemp, who won the women's hammer throw with a mark of 59.42 meters (194-11). Teammates Ronan Gallagher (56.26m) and Larissa Francois (49.49m) added second- and fourth-place finishes, respectively, giving NAU three of the top four placements.
On the men's side, Nikolas Strait placed second in the hammer throw with a mark of 58.20 meters (190-11), while Grant Wade (55.39m) and Rylee Hobson (39.01m) added depth for the Lumberjacks.
The javelin marked the first outdoor competition of the season for NAU in the event, with freshmen Jack Cleary (58.11m) and Hayden Weaver (56.58m) placing fifth and sixth, respectively, in their collegiate outdoor debuts.
In the horizontal jumps, Justin Cardoza led the way with a runner-up finish in the long jump (7.29m), while freshman Adam Olayinka followed closely in third (7.25m). On the women's side, Alexa Hamilton won the long jump with a mark of 5.79m, and Brenna Rodriguez placed second at 5.61m.
Larissa Francois added another win in the women's shot put, throwing 13.70 meters (44-11.25), while Sariyah Horne-Kemp continued her strong day by tying for first in the discus at 48.73 meters (159-11). In the men's discus, Amar Elmore placed second with a mark of 53.67 meters (176-1), and Strait added a fourth-place finish (50.61m).
Christian Mutengela highlighted the vertical jumps, clearing 2.07 meters (6-9.50) to tie for first in the high jump, continuing his strong form from the indoor season.
On the track, Big Sky 60-meter hurdles champion Sydnie Watkins opened her outdoor season with a win in the 100-meter hurdles, clocking 13.81 into a slight headwind. The men's hurdle group saw Shon Martin (14.37) and Erick Reyes-Aguilera (14.70) place third and fourth, respectively, in the 110-meter hurdles.
In the 800 meters, Nikita Moore placed second (2:10.40) before returning later in the meet to win the 1,500 meters in 4:27.90. On the men's side, Aaron Sahlman (1:48.89) and Aiden Barnhill (1:50.39) turned in solid early-season efforts.
The sprints group continued to impress throughout the evening. Jordann Germain placed second in the 400 meters (54.28) and followed with another runner-up finish in the 200 meters (24.00), while Ariel Haygood (55.63) and Bella Brauc (57.46) added depth in the 400. On the men's side, Big Sky indoor champion Luke Yruretagoyena opened his outdoor season with a second-place finish in the 400 meters (46.91), matching the top time in the field.
Sophomore standout Shanye Harris placed third in the 100 meters (11.81), continuing her progression in the short sprints. In the women's 400-meter hurdles, Janelle Sanchez (1:01.81) and Brooklyn Grizzell (1:04.06) placed second and fourth, respectively. In the distance events, Randy Espinoza led NAU in the 1,500 meters with a third-place finish (3:49.00).
Northern Arizona will next split its squad between two meets, traveling to Palo Alto, California, for the Stanford Invitational on April 3–4, while select members of the roster will compete at the 2026 Triton Invitational.
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