February 20, 2004

Track Wins 15 Events in RMAC Tune-up

Ford Clears 16 Feet in Pole Vault

            Kearney, NE – In its final tune-up before next weekend's RMAC Championships, the Nebraska-Kearney team won 15 events (nine men, six women) at its own UNK All-Comer meet Friday afternoon in Cushing Coliseum.

            The non-team-scoring event included athletes from Fort Hays State, Wayne State, UNO, Nebraska and Bethany College.

            Besides the victories, UNK saw six different individuals (three men, three women) provisionally qualify for the NCAA's in their respective events. Several others, who had already qualified, had season-best efforts.

            On the men's side, Bertrand junior Mike Ford won the pole vault with an effort of 16-0.25. That was a foot better than runner up Sheldon Funk of Fort Hays State and not too far off of the school record (16-4.75, Allen Perry, 1992).

            Ford's effort puts him among the top 12 nationally in the event.

            Also winning and provisionally qualifying were Lexington junior John Laux in the long jump (23-8.50) and Kansas senior Skyler Price in the triple jump (47-0.50). Laux, who was runner up to Price in the triple (46-11), has already made the national list in the triple.

            Walthill junior Derek Frese had a season-best effort (59-1) to win the weight throw as UNK had six of the top eight finishers in the event. In the shot put, the Lopers placed eight in the top 10, led by Kansas senior Nate Wheat (57-1.50).

            Winning on the track were Kearney junior Nolan Little (800/1:59.41), McCook sophomore Jason Relph (Mile/4:43.53) and Brady sophomore Craig O'Dell (55 hurdles/7.82).

            Finally, the 4 x 400 team of Little, Lincoln sophomore Cory Eastin, Hyannis sophomore Derek Meyer and Axtell freshman Jason Jacobs ran a 3:33.17 to place first as well.

             Culbertson freshman Sara Wagner paced the women by winning the long (18-8) and triple (38-11.50) jumps. Her effort in the long was a season-best mark while she provisionally qualifies in the triple.

            Like Wagner, Central City sophomore Shauna Birchard won her event with a season best effort. She tossed the shot put 46-3. UNK had four of the top five finishes in this event.

              Hooper junior Cali Cordes won the pole vault with an impressive effort of 11-1, good enough to put her on the national list. Also on the national list will be Minden sophomore Amber Burke, who placed second in the 55 dash (7.22).

            Also of note was Wyoming junior Laura Emmerich (Mile/5:31.64) and Bellwood sophomore Kate Semin (200/25.63) winning with Butte junior Amber Tiefenthaler (2^nd/53-3) being one of six Lopers to finish in the top eight in the weight throw.