Lumberjacks Post NCAA-Caliber Performances at Bryan Clay and Beyond

NAU track and field athletes shine across multiple meets with national-level marks and Big Sky conference leaders.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 7:33am

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A cubist-style painting featuring overlapping geometric shapes and planes in vibrant colors, representing the dynamic movements and competition of a track and field event.Northern Arizona's track and field athletes showcased their talent and depth with a series of NCAA-caliber performances across multiple meets.Flagstaff Today

Northern Arizona track & field closed out a loaded weekend of competition with standout performances across the Bryan Clay Invitational, Tom Jones Memorial, and Pacific Coast Invitational, highlighted by national-caliber marks, Big Sky leaders, and continued depth across all event groups.

Why it matters

The Lumberjacks' strong showings at these high-profile meets demonstrate the program's ability to compete at the national level and position multiple athletes for NCAA regional qualification and conference title contention as the outdoor season progresses.

The details

Standout performances included Hayley Burns' 4:08.14 in the women's 1500m, which ranks 7th in the NCAA and 1st in the Big Sky, as well as strong showings from the men's distance squad led by Colin Sahlman, Rheinhardt Harrison, and Tor Hotung-Davidsen. In the sprints, Shanye Harris and Blaise Nelson clocked fast times, while Alexa Hamilton set a personal best in the triple jump. The Lumberjacks' throws group also continued to make strides, led by Sariyah Horne-Kemp in the discus.

  • The Bryan Clay Invitational took place on April 18, 2026.
  • The Tom Jones Memorial was held in Florida.
  • The Pacific Coast Invitational occurred in Long Beach.

The players

Hayley Burns

A Northern Arizona track and field athlete who delivered one of the top 1500m performances in the NCAA this season, running 4:08.14 to finish third.

Colin Sahlman

A Northern Arizona track and field athlete who posted a time of 3:36.03 in the 1500m, ranking among the NCAA's top performers.

Alexa Hamilton

A Northern Arizona track and field athlete who set a personal best of 12.51m in the triple jump, moving to 4th all-time at NAU and 2nd in the Big Sky conference.

Sariyah Horne-Kemp

A Northern Arizona track and field athlete who led the Lumberjacks' throws group with a discus mark of 48.94m, ranking 13th in the Big Sky.

Shanye Harris

A Northern Arizona track and field sprinter who ran 11.79 in the 100m, backing up her previous 11.76 performance.

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What’s next

The Lumberjacks will continue building momentum as they move deeper into the outdoor season, with multiple distance athletes positioning themselves for NCAA West Regional qualification and conference title contention.

The takeaway

Northern Arizona's track and field program demonstrated its depth and ability to compete at the national level, with standout performances across multiple events and meets positioning the Lumberjacks as a force to be reckoned with in the Big Sky and beyond.