December 14, 2003

Impressive Marks in Track Meet

Wheat and Hawkins Strong in Season Opener

            Kearney, NE – The Nebraska-Kearney track and field team got its season under way Friday night in Cushing Fieldhouse with its annual Blue/Gold meet. On both sides, the gold team won eight events to out point the blue, 61-56 (women) and 69-44 (men).

            Kansas senior Nate Wheat, one of the Lopers four returning All-Americans, won the shot put with a toss of 57-10. Not only is that just a shade under the automatic mark of the NCAA’s (58-0.25) but it also is better than Wheat’s own school record in the event (56-4.50).

            Junior Derek Frese won the 35 lbs. weight throw with a heave of 56-0.50, a mark that would already put him on the NCAA provisional list.

            On the women’s side, Kearney freshman Kellie Hawkins led the way with a very impressive effort in the pole vault. Her winning effort of 11-0 is just short of the provisional standard (11-1.25) and would tie her with Jana Marco for the second best effort in school history. The school mark is 11-1.75 by Sandy Lewandowski. 

            Also in midseason form were Butte junior Amber Tiefenthaler (20 lbs. weight throw) and Central City sophomore Shauna Birchard (shot put), who each won their respective events with throws better than the NCAA provisional standards. Tiefenthaler had a toss of 52-3.50 while Birchard was at 44-5. 

            Other strong efforts were Marshland sophomore Randi Furman winning the 55 (7.42) and 300 dashes (44.71) and newcomer Sara Wagner winning the ling jump with a leap of 17-6.

            Returning All-American Derek Bailey won both the 55 meter hurdles (7.94) and high jump (6-6) while Lexington senior John Laux was first in the long jump (22-7) and runner up in the 55 dash (6.76).

            Bertrand junior Mike Ford, who redshirted last year, made a triumphant return by winning the pole vault (15-0).

            UNK begins its regular season January 17^th at home with the UNK Open.