FARMINGTON, Utah (September 22, 2026) – Northern Arizona cross country's Ava Mitchell has been named Big Sky Cross Country Athlete of the Week for the second time this season after leading the Lumberjacks at the John McNichols Invitational in Terre Haute, Indiana.
Mitchell finished seventh overall in the women's 6KM championship race, crossing the line in 20:00.2 to lead Northern Arizona. Her finish helped the Lumberjacks claim the team title with 61 points in a field that featured several nationally ranked programs.
The John McNichols Invitational marked Northern Arizona's first road meet of the season and gave the Lumberjacks a chance to race on the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course, which will host the NCAA Cross Country Championships later this fall.
Mitchell has now opened the season with two top seven finishes. At the George Kyte Classic on Sept. 2, she won the individual race in 14:41.9 over 2.5 miles, helping the women take the team title with 15 points. Following that performance, Mitchell was named Big Sky Co-Athlete of the Week.
Through the first two meets of the season, Mitchell has helped Northern Arizona to a pair of team victories while establishing herself as the Lumberjacks' top finisher at both meets.
NAU will return to competition on Oct. 9 at the Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational in Madison, Wisconsin, as the Lumberjacks continue their preparation for the postseason.
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