Lumberjacks to Host NAU Team Challenge

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Walkup Skydome will once again be busy Saturday when the Northern Arizona track and field team hosts the NAU Team Challenge. The meet begins at 8:30 a.m. MST, and is free to the public. This will be the fourth of six meets that NAU hosts this winter.

The Lumberjacks will face stiff competition in their second team-scoring meet of the season. Five schools will be making the trek to Flagstaff, including Arizona State and UCLA from the Pac-10 conference. Cal State Fullerton, Long Beach State and Southern Utah will also be vying for the top spot.

Interim Director of Track and Field & Cross Country Eric Heins thinks this weekend’s meet has all the makings for an exciting day.

“This looks like it could be a very exciting meet with Arizona State and UCLA both competing from the Pac-10,” Heins said. “Both of those schools with their outstanding programs will make all the events that much tougher. I really think that will bring out the best in our kids, and the best of their competitiveness.”

The Arizona State men’s team is currently ranked eighth in the nation.

Besides competing to win tomorrow’s meet, the Lumberjacks will also be looking to improve upon their conference-qualifying marks, as well as their rankings within the Big Sky. NAU currently has a total of 14 women and 21 men in the top 10 of each event in the Big Sky, including eight who have leading marks in their respective events.