The NAU track team competed this past weekend, securing additional qualifying marks for the Big Sky Championship at the Mountain T’s Invitational in the Walkup Skydome. ASU, Cal State Bakersfield, Southern Utah and various unattached athletes participated in the competition Jan. 29 and 30.

The contest proved to be a show-stopper as the women’s 4×4 relay team dominated, with freshman Morgan Pope, sophomores Jackie Shea and Rashida McKinnon, and senior Annie Skordas taking the win.

Junior Thremaine Johnson represents NAU in the men's triple jump at the Mountain T's Invitational track meet Jan. 30. Johnson's 13.89-meter jump gave the Lumberjacks a win in the event. Matt Beaty / The Lumberjack

“It takes a lot of mental fortitude to win a conference championship, and you have to be in preparation for weeks to compete, so this 4×4 was really a big step in the mental aspect of our training,” said Wiley
King, sprints, jumps and hurdles coach. “Today, we had to shift some people around for the race, and Morgan Pope really stepped up as a freshman as an outstanding leg. And when you have a freshman that steps up like that, the momentum can be carried out as well.”

The 4×4 was among the races highlighting team effort and dedication as the women raced to the finish line with a time of 3:54.49.

“We all worked hard together and got each other focused,” McKinnon said. “And when we realized we were running against an elite track club, we all tuned our minds to ‘yes we can.’ And when we noticed we were getting in front, we got excited, and we just cheered each other on. As soon as I got the baton, I just bolted and went for it.”

Freshman Tim Freriks sailed through the men’s 3000-meter run, placing first with a time of 8:44.16, while junior Ben Ashkettle completed the race in third place with his time of 8:45.49.

Junior Jordan Chipangama excelled in the men’s 800-meter run with a first-place finish and credited his teammates for the help and support they gave during the race.

“The cheering from my team definitely helps,” Chipangama said. “Hearing friends cheering for you is always a motivation, so I really appreciate what they did for me today, and I think it makes for great teamwork.”

Chipangama finalized his time in 1:51.28, with sophomore Darius Terry pacing Chipangama throughout the bulk of the race.

“The competition was really great,” Chipangama said. “I felt nervous at first because I didn’t know how I was going to run indoor, especially with the altitude. But in the end, I felt I wasn’t bad, so I was okay with that.”

Junior Shekila Wilkinson aced the 200-meter race with a time of 25.14, while teammate Skordas came in fourth place with a 25.31.

“We have new goals this year, and they are reachable,” McKinnon said. “We aim to get faster and faster each and every year. For now, every track meet is a new goal.”

Next up for the Jacks is their third consecutive home meet at the Skydome Feb. 6.