May 12, 2007
Big Sky Conference Championship Central
Pocatello, ID --- Lopez Lomong won three events, the 800, the 1500, and the 5000 to earn Track Athlete of the Meet, propelling the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks to their 14th Big Sky Conference outdoor title, but their first since 2003, winning 155.5 to 130 over Sacramento State, preventing a sweep by the Hornets in 2007 track.
While Lomong becoming only the fifth athlete on the men's side to win three events in a single meet, Northern Arizona's depth shined throughout the day. Sprinters Jimmy Arollo, Joe Thomas, Andre Nunis, and Cardell Glover consistently scored points in the sprints for the Lumberjacks, culminating in a win in the 4x400 relay to end the meet.
While Northern Arizona's score of 155.5 points in the lowest by a champion since Weber State scored 152 in their 1999 win, it was more than enough for the Lumberjacks and head coach J.W. Hardy, who a pair of outdoor titles with the women, but none with the men. He can now put his name alongside legendary NAU coaches Ron Mann and Leo Haberlack in leading NAU to the 14th title.
"Anytime you win a Big Sky title, that's a good feeling," said Hardy. It was a long-time coming on the men's side, and to get that first outdoor title is special."
"We really overcame some adversity, because coming into today we weren't perfect, but the troops really rallyied and wanted a championship. We as coaches did all we could, but it's a tribute to the kids that they wanted to make the memories."
The Hornets finished in second place, scoring 130 points, spurred on by their stellar sprinting corps that won the 4x100 relay, and picked up a big win in the 100m and the 200m. Weber State, who was the defending champions outdoors, finished third with 122.1 points, and host Idaho State was fourth with 109.9 points.
Rounding out the field was Montana with 107.7, Eastern Washington at 72.8, Montana State at 72.4, and Portland State at 44.6.
While Lomong's heroics earned his Track Athlete of the Meet, Eastern Washington's David Paul took home Field Athlete of the Meet honors. On Saturday, the burly Paul finished third in the shot put to compliment his titles in the discus and the hammer, the latter in which he set the Big Sky Conference record.
NOTES: John Danielson of Idaho State picked up a title in the shot put, joining Nathan Capps in the decathlon as ISU's conference champions. Earning All-Conference honors were Jed Sion in the discus (third), Jacob Keller in the high jump (third), John Ricardi in the steeplechase (second), Matt Brown in the 400 hurdles (third) and the 400 (third), and Saheed Kahn in the 800 (second).
