April 11, 2004

Throwers Lead Track at Emporia

UNK Wins Three Events at D2 Challenge 

            Kearney, NE – Led by its throwers, the Nebraska-Kearney track teams placed seventh (men) and ninth (women) at the Godfather's Pizza Division II Challenge this weekend at Emporia State in Kansas.

            The three-day event began Thursday but most of the events were held on Saturday. Over 900 student-athletes from 20 different schools competed in the meet.

            On the men's side, UNK had 11 top 10 finishers to score 55 points and place ahead of 11 other teams. North Dakota State won with 86 points, closely followed by South Dakota (84.50) and Central Missouri State (82).  

            The Loper women had six top five efforts to tally 49 points and finish ahead of 12 other schools. South Dakota (106) was first, followed by North Dakota State (99).

            For the men, senior throwers Nate Wheat (Lakin, Kans.) and Scott Jorgensen (Grand Island) placed first. Wheat won the shot put with a toss of 55-7 while Jorgensen continues to impress in the discus, having a season-best throw of 169-6.

            Also, Kearney freshman Chase Beideck was third (53-4.25) and Eustis sophomore Lance Pfeiffer fifth (51-7) in the shot with Walthill junior Derek Frese third in the discus (155-11). Beideck's effort provisionally qualifies him for the NCAA Championships, joining Wheat and Jorgensen.

            Finally, Kansas sophomore Kellen Jacobs led UNK in the hammer with a 10^th place finish (155-6).

            In other field events, Kansas senior Skyler Price was fifth in the triple jump (45-9.25) and eighth in the long jump (21-10.76) while Bertrand junior Mike Ford was runner up in the pole vault. His effort of 15-9 provisionally qualifies him as well.

            On the track, Kearney sophomore Drew Tonniges was third at 1,500 meters (4:01.24) and Brady sophomore Craig O'Dell  ninth in the 400 hurdles (56.45).

            On the women's side, Central City sophomore Shauna Birchard was runner up in the shot (season-best 44-11), placed sixth in the hammer (155-4) and led the Lopers in the discus by finishing 11^th (116-6).

            Butte junior Amber Tiefenthaler was the Lopers only first place finisher of the meet, taking home the gold in the hammer (169-3).

            Bellwood junior Kate Semin led the way on the track as she was third in the 200 (24.80) and fourth in the 400 (57.99). Also, Hildreth senior Kathryn Alt was fifth (2:19.23) and Lexington junior Andrea Andersen sixth (2:19.34) in the 800.

            The final top five performance was turned in by Elkhorn junior Lesley Crutcher, who was fifth in the high jump (5-2.25).

            UNK will compete at the Kansas and Doane Relays next weekend.