February 23, 2008

Track Finishes Regular Season at Prairie Wolf

Dibbern, Dill Set School Records

     Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney track and field team finished up the regular season by having 27 top 10 finishes (16 men, 11 women) at the Prairie Wolf Invite Friday night in Lincoln.

      The non-team scoring meet included Nebraska, Wayne State, Chadron State, Fort Hays State, Emporia State, NW Missouri State, Nebraska-Omaha, South Dakota and several NAIA schools.

      Leading the way for UNK were senior distance runners Michelle Dill (Imperial) and Jacquelyn Dibbern (York). Both would break school records, Dill at 800 meters and Dibbern in the 5,000.

      In the 800, Dill ran a 2:14.67 to place fourth out of 41 runners. Her time breaks the old school mark of 2:15.17, set by Kelly Johnson in 2003. The effort also rockets her up the national list, likely in the top 10. 

      The Chase County graduate also finished fourth in the mile with a time -- 4:59.83 -- that is a provisional effort as well and among the best in Division II this year. Finally, the time is the second lowest in school history, trailing only a 4:57.87 by Donna Spickelmier in 1987. 

      On February 1^st, Dibbern set a new school mark at 5,000 meters by running a 17.53.82. She shattered that mark last night, running a 17:33.23 to not only win the event but also provisionally qualify for nationals.

      Also on the women's side, Kearney junior Kelli Dring qualified for the 60 meter finals and finished sixth (9.16) Finally, Dannebrog junior Kaci Lickteig came in third place at 5,000 meters (18:.07.41) with freshmen Julie Davis (shot put/42-11.50) and Heather Wills (triple jump/36-8.25) each placing fifth in their respective events.

      For the Loper men, three placed in the top 10 in the weight throw, led by Kansas sophomore Brandon Karlin in second place (59-0.75). UNK also had two in the top nine in the shot put with Beatrice junior Chris Campbell being fourth (49-11).

      Notching top five efforts as well were Fremont senior Seth Yount (3^rd/44-6.75) and Tecumseh freshman Scott Wenzl (5^th/ 44-2.75) in the triple jump, the 4 x 400 relay team (3^rd/3:22.26) and Doniphan freshmen Cody Klein at 60 meters (5^th/6.95).

      UNK hosts the RMAC Indoor Championships next Friday and Saturday in Cushing Coliseum. Pictured below are Dill-Dibbern.