Cornfield Named Big Sky Men’s and Women’s Coach of the Year After Lumberjack Title Sweep

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (March 6, 2026) — Jarred Cornfield, Director of Cross Country and Track & Field at Northern Arizona University, has been named the Big Sky Conference Men's and Women's Indoor Track & Field Coach of the Year, the league announced following the 2026 indoor season. Cornfield earned the honor unanimously in voting by the conference's head coaches, marking the first time he has received the award for the indoor season.

The recognition follows a dominant performance by the Lumberjacks at the 2026 Big Sky Indoor Track & Field Championships in Pocatello, Idaho, where Northern Arizona swept the men's and women's team titles for the sixth consecutive year.

The No. 22-ranked NAU men's team scored 200 points to capture its 14th consecutive conference indoor championship, finishing more than 100 points ahead of the next closest team. On the women's side, the Lumberjacks totaled 164.5 points to secure their fifth straight Big Sky indoor title, holding off Montana State in a tightly contested team race. Following the meet, Cornfield emphasized the collective effort behind the women's title, noting that the race for the team championship was particularly close. In comments published by the Big Sky Conference, Cornfield highlighted the team's depth.

The indoor coaching honor adds to an already historic first year leading the program. Earlier in the academic year, Cornfield was also named the 2025 Big Sky Men's and Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year after guiding the Lumberjacks to conference titles in his first season as head coach.

Under Cornfield's leadership, Northern Arizona continues to establish itself as one of the premier programs in collegiate distance running, with success spanning cross country and track & field while maintaining a strong presence in national rankings and championship competition.