NLI SIGNING WEEK IS HERE -- One of the first big dominoes on Day 1 of the the National Letter of Intent period has dropped, and it's a big one.
Aaron Sahlman, the coveted Newbury Park (CA) High School senior and the No. 7 ranked runner in the Class of 2023, will join his brother Colin Sahlman, along with 2020 Newbury Park graduate Nico Young, at Northern Arizona University, the distinguished men's distance program which has won five cross country titles in the last six years.
He announced his decision on Instagram.
Sahlman narrowed down his final decisions to NAU, UCLA, Arkansas and Oklahoma. He joins Zack Munson (Sehome, WA), a top-rated distance talent in Washington, as the Lumberbacks second signing over the Class of 2023 cycle.
Moreover, the move couldn't be better for the NAU men's program and Mike Smith, the director of track and field and cross country. In recent seasons, as the Lumberbacks have won and defended a number of NCAA titles, the program has continually brought in some of the top domestic talent in the U.S.
A year ago, NAU, which is currently ranked No. 3 in the national coaches poll, signed Colin Sahlman, Aidan Puffer and Erik Le Roux.
Sahlman's inclusion offers a bit of everything. Not only is the Newbury Park star a capable cross country runner, with a 5K PR of 14:14.38 and a 3-mile best of 13:42.30, but he exhibits an extreme amount of depth in a variety of track events.
Sahlman has posted PRs of 1:48.91 in the 800m, 4:01.34 in the mile and 8:48.28 in the 3,200m. In March, he was part of the national-record setting 4xmile team at New Balance Nationals Indoor.
He's closed a season best of 14:52.40 for 5K this season, along with a top time of 14:01.70 for 3-miles at Woodbridge.
For more recruiting news, check out our coverage on Inside Recruiting and Recruiting Rundown.
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The Class of 2023's Top 50 Boys Recruits
The Class of 2023's Top 50 Girls Recruits
