May 16, 2004

Track Improves National Standing

Calleroz, Spanel Lead the Way

            Kearney, NE – The Nebraska-Kearney track team has some season-best efforts this weekend at the Concordia Twilight meet Friday in Seward and the ATG Sports Last Chance Qualifier in Emporia, Kans., on Saturday.

            The Lopers attending these meets were either trying to improve their national standing or to become a provisional qualifier. The list of those making it to the NCAA Championships May 27-29 in California comes out early this week.

            On the women’s side, Kearney senior thrower Lisa Calleroz made a big jump. On Friday, she had a season-best effort of 145-9 to place third in the discus. The next day in Kansas, she topped that mark with a toss of 148-2, which is the best throw in the RMAC this year. Loper sophomore Shauna Birchard (146-3) had the league’s best throw in the event coming into the weekend.

            Calleroz came into the weekend ranked 27^th nationally (141-8) but now should be in the top 10.

            Becoming a provisional qualifier was Culbertson freshman Sara Wagner in the long jump. She placed fourth yesterday in Kansas in the event with a leap of 18-8.50.

            Other highlights for the women included Wyoming senior Angela Sorensen and Kearney freshman Kellie Hawkins having season-best efforts Friday at Concordia. Sorensen ran a 12.33 to place second in the 100-meter dash while Hawkins cleared 11-4 in the pole vault to place fourth.

            Bellwood junior Kate Semin won the 200 Friday (25.09) and then was runner up in the 400 (55.52) on Saturday. Also finishing second at Emporia was Butte junior Amber Tiefenthaler in the hammer (160-11) while Springfield junior Denise Kolar was runner up Friday in the 400 hurdles (1:04.12).

            On the men’s side, Grand Island senior Clark Spanel not only became a provisional qualifier in the long jump but his effort should also put him in the top 10 nationally. Yesterday in Kansas, he won the event with a season-best effort of 24-5.75.

            He also won the 100 Friday (10.76) and was then fifth in the event Saturday (10.91).

            Lexington senior John Laux and Grand Island senior Scott Jorgensen also helped their national standing by having season-best efforts as well.

            Laux placed second in the triple jump at ESU with a leap of 48-6.25, a quarter inch better than his RMAC Championship winning effort. Meanwhile, Jorgensen tossed the discus 170-10 yesterday, good for third placed and a possible top 10 standing in the event nationally.

            Bertand junior Mike Ford should go up in the pole vault list as he placed second in the event Friday with a season-best effort of 16-3.25. 

            Also in Kansas, senior Nate Wheat was second in the shot (57-0) with Eustis sophomore Lance Pfeiffer fourth (56-2.50) and Kearney freshman Chase Beideck fifth (54-2.75).

            Finally, Kansas sophomore Kellen Jacobs was the hammer champ at Concordia (170-04).