Completed Event: Track and Field at NAU Tune Up on February 20, 2026 ,
Track & Field
at NAU Tune UpÂ
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Michael Thomas is currently third in the heptathlon; Ann-Marie Duffus finished third in the pentathlon.
Duffus Places Third in Pentathlon; Thomas in Third with Events Remaining in Heptathlon
1/27/2012 3:20:00 PM | Track and Field, Women's Track and Field
Members of the Grand Canyon University men’s and women’s track teams today completed the first day of the Mountain ‘T’s’ Invitational hosted by Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Ariz. Today’s activities saw the conclusion of the women’s pentathlon, as well as four events in the men’s heptathlon. The finish of the men’s heptathlon will begin at 8 a.m. tomorrow with the 60-meter hurdles, pole vault, and 1000-meter run.
The meet consists of teams from NAU, UNLV, Southern Utah, Azusa Pacific and Central Arizona College, as well as several unattached athletes.
Ann-Marie Duffus finished third in the pentathlon with 3750 points behind Shay Maurer (unattached) and Breanna Leslie (Azusa Pacific). Maurer finished second in the pentathlon at last year’s Indoor Track and Field Championships, while Leslie was the runner-up in the heptathlon at the 2011 NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Duffus reached a provisional mark with her score, which was also the third-best in the country among Division II athletes.
Duffus bettered her long jump mark with a lead of 6.09 meters, which is an automatic qualifier and the third-longest jump in the nation. She had previously jumped 6.08 meters on the first day of the Cherry and Silver Invitational held in Albuquerque, N.M. on Jan. 20, a mark that was already an NCAA automatic qualifier. Duffus also reached a provisional time of 8.65 in the 60-meter hurdles, which is the ninth-fastest in the country.
“Ann-Marie was beat by two very talented individuals,” said head coach Tom Flood. “She started off very well, especially in the long jump and hurdles, which we worked on in the fall. She was in second place going into the 800-meters and was on automatic qualifying pace for most of the event. We are just scratching the surface of her talent.”
Also participating in the women’s pentathlon was Emily Donahue, who made an appearance in her first meet of the season.
Michael Thomas competed for GCU in the men’s heptathlon and is sitting in third place heading into tomorrow’s remaining events. Thomas is competing in his first collegiate heptathlon.
“This is somewhat of a baptism by fire for Michael, as in the lane next to him for the 60-meter dash was defending Olympic Gold Medalist in the decathlon, Bryan Clay,” explained Flood. “The athlete leading the event so far, Lysias Edmonds, finished eighth at the 2008 Olympic trials for the decathlon. So, I think Michael steadied himself pretty well after his first event and coming to terms with the competition he was facing.”
Individual field events will start at 9 a.m. tomorrow, followed by running events at 11 a.m.
“I am excited about the debut of several athletes tomorrow that have not competed yet this season,” Flood added. “And although we are running through this meet, I expect there will be some very fine performances.”
Live statistics from the event can be followed on the NAU website by clicking here.
Women’s Pentathlon Results
The meet consists of teams from NAU, UNLV, Southern Utah, Azusa Pacific and Central Arizona College, as well as several unattached athletes.
Ann-Marie Duffus finished third in the pentathlon with 3750 points behind Shay Maurer (unattached) and Breanna Leslie (Azusa Pacific). Maurer finished second in the pentathlon at last year’s Indoor Track and Field Championships, while Leslie was the runner-up in the heptathlon at the 2011 NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Duffus reached a provisional mark with her score, which was also the third-best in the country among Division II athletes.
Duffus bettered her long jump mark with a lead of 6.09 meters, which is an automatic qualifier and the third-longest jump in the nation. She had previously jumped 6.08 meters on the first day of the Cherry and Silver Invitational held in Albuquerque, N.M. on Jan. 20, a mark that was already an NCAA automatic qualifier. Duffus also reached a provisional time of 8.65 in the 60-meter hurdles, which is the ninth-fastest in the country.
“Ann-Marie was beat by two very talented individuals,” said head coach Tom Flood. “She started off very well, especially in the long jump and hurdles, which we worked on in the fall. She was in second place going into the 800-meters and was on automatic qualifying pace for most of the event. We are just scratching the surface of her talent.”
Also participating in the women’s pentathlon was Emily Donahue, who made an appearance in her first meet of the season.
Michael Thomas competed for GCU in the men’s heptathlon and is sitting in third place heading into tomorrow’s remaining events. Thomas is competing in his first collegiate heptathlon.
“This is somewhat of a baptism by fire for Michael, as in the lane next to him for the 60-meter dash was defending Olympic Gold Medalist in the decathlon, Bryan Clay,” explained Flood. “The athlete leading the event so far, Lysias Edmonds, finished eighth at the 2008 Olympic trials for the decathlon. So, I think Michael steadied himself pretty well after his first event and coming to terms with the competition he was facing.”
Individual field events will start at 9 a.m. tomorrow, followed by running events at 11 a.m.
“I am excited about the debut of several athletes tomorrow that have not competed yet this season,” Flood added. “And although we are running through this meet, I expect there will be some very fine performances.”
Live statistics from the event can be followed on the NAU website by clicking here.
Women’s Pentathlon Results
Tuesday, June 09
Tuesday, June 09
Tuesday, June 09
Monday, June 08