April 24, 2004

Track Wins Seven Events in Lincoln

Lopers Also Add Provisional Qualifiers

            Kearney, NE – The Nebraska-Kearney track team had 27 top three finishes (15 women, 12 men) at the Nebraska Wesleyan Twilight Open Friday night in Lincoln.

            UNK won seven events (four men, three women) and added three more provisional qualifiers on the men's side.

             Leading the men's team was seniors Derek Bailey (Ansley) and Clark Spanel (Grand Island). Spanel placed first in the 100-meter dash (10.55) and long jump (23-4.75) while being second in the 200-meter dash (21.69). Bailey was champion in the 400 hurdles (52.66), tied for second in the high jump (6-9) and third in the 110 hurdles (14.76).

            Spanel provisionally qualifies in the 100 while Bailey puts his name on the national list in the 400 hurdles. He was very close to qualifying in both the 110 hurdles and high jump.

             Also on the track, Kearney junior Nolan Little was second in the 800 (1:55.89) and the Lopers 4 X 400 relay team placed third (3:21.20).

            Bertrand junior Mike Ford placed second in the pole vault, having a season-best effort of 16-2. In the throws, Kansas senior Nate Wheat was second in the shot put (56-6.50) with Kansas sophomore Kellen Jacobs being runner up in the hammer (168-6.25)

            Grand Island senior Scott Jorgensen won the discus with a heave of 163-4 while Eustis sophomore Lance Pfeiffer provisionally qualifies in the shot put with his fourth place effort (53-7). Wheat and Kearney freshman Chase Beideck are already qualifiers in the event.

            On the women's side, Bellwood junior Kate Semin was the team's only individual winner, placing first in the 200-meter dash (25.00).

            UNK also won the 4 x 100 relay (48.50) and the 4 x 400 relay (3:57.80).

            Also on the track, Springfield junior Denise Kolar was second in the 400 hurdles (1:05.36) with Wayne junior Amanda Maryott placing second in the 100-meter dash (12.60).

            Elkhorn junior Lesley Crutcher led the way in the jumps. She tied for second in both the high jump (5-8) and triple jump (36-6.50).

            Culbertson freshman Sara Wagner was second in the long jump (18-7.50) and tied Crutcher in the triple jump. Also, Hooper junior Cali Cordes third in the pole vault (11-4).

            In the throws, Central City sophomore Shauna Birchard placed fifth in the hammer with a season-best effort of 163-5. She also was second in the shot put (44-10) with a throw one inch shy of her season-best.

            Finally, Butte junior Amber Tiefenthaler was then third in the hammer (166-10).