The Walkup Skydome played host to history Feb. 13 during the NAU Invitational. Several schools were in attendance with the Lumberjacks, including competitors UA and Southern Utah.

“It was another great day for the women; we got four more qualifiers today,” said Eric Heins, director of track and field. “Our women are at 20 qualifiers out of a possible 22, and we couldn’t be more thrilled.”

Jami Michaud, NAU's sole female pole vaulter, competes in the NAU Invitational track and field meet Feb. 13. Matt Beaty / The Lumberjack

It was a record-breaking day as senior All-American David McNeill finished the Husky Classic with a bang, winning the men’s 3,000-meter race with a time of 7:47.52.

The national-leading mark set by McNeill also gives him the school indoor record, which was previously held by Olympian
Lomong Lopez.

“I kind of feel bad for erasing such a legend’s name from the board,” McNeill said in an interview with nauathletics.com. “But he still has a few other ones there, so I don’t feel too bad. It is special to be able to say that you have broken an Olympian and U.S. flag-bearer’s indoor record. It is one of the career highlights for me.”

Also, senior Annie Skordas came out on top in the women’s 200-meter dash with a final time of 24.66.

Skordas is among NAU’s women heading to the upcoming Big Sky Championships in mid-May.

“I’m really happy with what I did,” Skordas said. “I try to think, ‘I have to catch that next person,’ but at the same time focus on my own race, as well. I typically don’t know what event I’m running in till a couple days before, so coaches will ask us how we’re feeling and what we need to improve on, and we determine from then on.”

Positive feedback was notable throughout the meet as several of the athletes were cheering each other on in their respective events from the stands and amid the crowd of competition.

“We try really hard to keep each other positive because positive feedback really helps us out,” Skordas said.

First place in the women’s triple jump went to junior Amber Anderson with a mark of 39-07.25, but sprints, jumps and hurdles coach Wiley King acknowledged sophomore Chanda Penney for the most impressive performance of the day.

Penney set a personal record in the triple jump with a mark of 37-07.75 feet.

“Well, it was tough, but I knew I could do it,” Penney said. “For some reason, I couldn’t get there prior to this meet, but when I finally got it, it felt great. I felt I could’ve done it a long time ago; that’s why it doesn’t really come as a shock to me. But just getting here today brings so much more excitement.”

In addition to other accomplishments, the NAU men’s 4×4 relay came in third place, producing a time of 3:19.71.

“On the men’s side, we had a very decent 4×4 relay today, which was really great to see,” Heins said. “People coming back from injuries dramatically increased our performances today, and we were able to get into that sub-3:20 mark.”

At the end of the meet, the team huddled for their weekly inspirational lecture and strategized an agenda for their last consecutive home meet — the NAU Tune Up — set to take place this Friday.

King said he emphasized the idea of consistent training to his athletes, reminding them how necessary their work ethic is from here on out.

“You don’t work hard to guarantee success,” King said. “You work hard to guarantee an opportunity.”

The Lumberjacks’ last meet of the season kicks off at 3:45 p.m. on Feb. 19 at the Skydome.