FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Northern Arizona University’s track & field team will begin its indoor season tomorrow hosting the Lumberjack Team Challenge on Friday Jan. 17th. Director of track & field and cross country Eric Heins has much to be excited for with this year’s distance group.
“We want to build on what we accomplished during the 2013 cross country and track seasons,” said Heins. “We have a lot of returners which makes for a nice mix with our newcomers. I’m really excited to see what these newcomers can do especially on the women’s side.”
The men’s distance program has been dominant at the conference level in recent years leading NAU to four of the last five indoor championships and five of the last seven outdoor championships. The men’s team returns eight 2013 All-Big Sky selections in Brian Shrader, Futsum Zienasellassie, Caleb Hoover, Matt McElroy (2013 5000m Big Sky Indoor champion), Alejandro Montano, Nathan Weitz, Caleb Potts, and Cody Reed. Leading the way for the Lumberjack men will be 2013 800m Big Sky Indoor champion Shrader.
“I think that Brian has stepped into that leadership role for our group,” said Heins. “Everybody respects him for how he performs and carries himself.”
Also returning for the Lumberjacks is Matt League, Ian Cable, Tim Freriks, Bahlbi Gebryohanns and Will Aenchbacher.
NAU is expected to get solid contributions from transfers Josh Hardin and Korey Krotzer. Hardin was an All-Mountain Region performer during the cross country season and Krotzer was a consistent contributor to the No. 2 men’s cross country team.
Also joining the team are freshmen Andy Trouard, Ryan Wesson, Jordan Thibodeau, Michael Chin, Dillon Read, Nolan Petersen, Nick Butler and Chris Ortiz.
“We really want to increase our numbers at the national championships and get some guys there who have a shot at putting some points on the board,” said Heins.
The Lumberjack women have a melting pot of experienced runners and young talent this season. NAU returns 13 athletes to its women’s distance team in Melanie Townsend, Sarah Raber, Kylee Kieser, Lauren Justus, Rolonda Jumbo, Caroline Hogardh, Carissa Gwerder, Kelly Fruth, Shayla Freeman, Kayla Freeman, Emily Bartz, Sarah Baker and Grace Adams-Handy.
Jumbo is the lone 2013 All-Big Sky performer returning. With Hogardh and Townsend returning after battling injury the team will be looking to improve on last season’s results.
“We want to increase our contributions at the Big Sky Championships to help the women’s team fight for a conference title,” said Heins. “We also want to get a few more women to the outdoor national championships.”
The newcomers for the women’s distance program are an exciting and talented group highlighted by freshmen Paige Gilchrist, Vanessa Estrada, Carolyn Bethel and transfer Jamie Shrader. The quartet was a big part of the success found during the cross country season.
Also joining the team will be freshmen Kylie Goo, Heather LaPlante and Melanie Zibrat.
“The women’s team is more led by committee,” Heins said. “We have a pretty young group and the upperclassmen have been very supportive of our younger talent.”
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Durant Harvin 4th
NAU Athletic Communications G.A.
Track & Field, Cross Country and Golf
Durant4@nau.edu @Durantbphresh
(443) 845-1754Call: (443) 845-1754Call: (443) 845-1754
www.nauathletics.com