March 1, 2005

Track Qualifies Nine for NCAA's

Next Weekend in Boston

            Kearney, NE – The Nebraska-Kearney track team will send six women and three men to the NCAA Indoor Championships next weekend in Boston.

            The final qualifying list was released this morning. Roughly the top 14 efforts in each event make it to the NCAA's. A top eight finish at the meet is good for All-American honors.

            Returning to the NCCA's are Walthill senior Derek Frese in the 35 lbs. weight throw, Bellwood senior Kate Semin in the 400, junior Shauna Birchard in the shot put and Culbertson sophomore Sara Wagner in the long and triple jumps.

            Semin earned All-American honors last year by running a 55.63 to finish sixth.

            Birchard earned All-American honors as well by placing sixth in the shot. She enters this year's meet with the second best throw in the country at 48-5.50.

            Also earning All-American honors last season was Frese, who placed sixth in the weight throw. He ranked second in the nation most of the season but now is tied for fourth (62-1.50).

            Wagner, one of two Loper jumpers to qualify in two events this year, was 9^th in the triple jump last year, one spot shy of All-American honors.

            Crutcher has All-America credentials, having earned the honor at the 2004 outdoor meet. This will be her first trip to the national indoor event.

            Ford also has NCAA experience, having qualified for the 2003 and 2004 outdoor championships.

            The two-day event will be March 11-12^th at the Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center in Boston.

Men (Cl., Hometown, Event, National Rank, Mark)     Women (Cl., Hometown, Event, National Rank, Mark)

Derek Frese, Sr., Walthill, Weight Throw (T-4th, 62-1.50)           Shauna Birchard, Jr., Central City, Shot Put (2nd, 48-5.50)

Mike Ford, Sr., Bertrand, Pole Vault (6^th, 16-8.75)        Sara Wagner, So., Culbertson, Triple Jump (2nd, 39-11)

Ross Fellows, Fr.-R, Kearney, Triple Jump (11^th, 47-8.75)           Sara Wagner, So., Culbertson, Long Jump (10th, 18-10.25)

Ross Fellows, Fr.-R, Kearney, Long Jump (16^th, 23-5.50)            Amber Tiedeman, Jr., Red Cloud, Shot Put (10^th, 46-0.75)

                                Cali Cordes, Jr., Hooper, Pole Vault (10^th, 12-2)

                                Lesley Crutcher, Sr., Elkhorn, High Jump (T-12^th, 5-7)

                                Kate Semin, Sr., Bellwood, 400 (T-18^th, 57.04)