FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (March 5, 2026) – Northern Arizona will be represented across multiple distance events at the 2026 NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field Championships after several Lumberjacks secured positions on the final national qualifying lists.
On the men's side, Colin Sahlman qualified for the 3000 meters and enters the national meet seeded fourth overall with a time of 7:36.71. Despite holding the NCAA collegiate record in the 800 meters, where he ran 1:44.70 earlier this season, the fastest indoor performance in collegiate history. Sahlman will contest the 3000 meters at the national championships.
Sahlman's performances have also placed him firmly in the national award conversation. The Northern Arizona senior was named to The Bowerman Men's Watch List, recognizing the top athletes in collegiate track and field across the indoor and outdoor seasons. Widely considered the sport's most prestigious individual honor, The Bowerman evaluates performances across the collegiate track season. Since the award's creation in 2009, several Lumberjacks have appeared on the watch list, including David McNeill (2010), Diego Estrada (2013), Tyler Day (2020), and Abdihamid Nur (2022).
Tor Hotung-Davidsen also secured qualification for the NCAA Championships in the men's mile, entering the meet seeded 12th with a time of 3:53.51. A transfer from Virginia, Hotung-Davidsen previously competed at Lynchburg, where he captured the NCAA Division III indoor national championship in the 800 meters and the NCAA Division III outdoor national title in the 1500 meters. Now competing at the Division I level, the senior has continued to develop within Northern Arizona's nationally recognized distance program and will represent the Lumberjacks on the national stage in Fayetteville.
On the women's side, Hayley Burns qualified in two events, earning entries in both the mile and the 3000 meters. Burns enters the mile seeded eighth nationally with a time of 4:25.76, positioning her in strong contention for a spot in the championship final.
Burns also qualified in the 3000 meters, where she enters the national field ranked 15th with a season-best time of 8:48.10. The junior has been one of Northern Arizona's most consistent performers throughout the indoor season and is coming off a dominant performance at the 2026 Big Sky Indoor Track & Field Championships. Burns captured conference titles in the 800 meters and 3000 meters, while also finishing second in the mile, earning Big Sky Women's Most Valuable Athlete honors. Her performances helped lead the Lumberjacks to their fifth consecutive Big Sky Indoor Championship, continuing NAU's recent dominance at the conference meet.
Northern Arizona will also compete in the men's distance medley relay (DMR), where the Lumberjacks enter the NCAA Championships seeded sixth nationally with a time of 9:16.98. The relay group of Clay Shively, Josiah Johnson, Tor Hotung-Davidsen, and Colin Sahlman secured qualification with one of the fastest times in the country this season.
Northern Arizona's relay depth is further highlighted by additional athletes listed as alternates on the national roster for the event, including Rheinhardt Harrison, Ford Washburn, Luke Yruretagoyena, and Nicolas Martinez, providing added flexibility for the Lumberjacks heading into the championship meet. Harrison enters the meet fresh off winning the Big Sky indoor title in the mile, while Yruretagoyena captured the Big Sky championship in the 400 meters, highlighting the strength and versatility of Northern Arizona's relay pool.
The 2026 NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field Championships will take place March 13–14 in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where the Lumberjacks will compete against the nation's top collegiate athletes in pursuit of national titles.
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