March 31, 2008

Track Wins Eight Events, Has Five Qualifiers at Hays

First Meet of Spring Season

     Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney track & field team began the spring season by winning eight events (five women, three men) and having five NCAA provisional efforts at the Alex Francis Classic this past weekend in Hays, Kans.

      Several distance races were run Friday night with the rest of the non-team scoring meet being held Saturday. Besides Fort Hays State, other schools in attendance were Baker, Benedictine, Bethany, Colorado College, Colorado Mines, Kansas Wesleyan, Colby C.C., Hutchinson C.C. and Pratt C.C.

      On the women's side, York senior Jacquelyn Dibbern dominated the 3,000 meter steeplechase, running an 11:11.75 to not only win by over 30 seconds but also provisionally qualify for the NCAA's

      Kearney junior Kelli Dring didn't earn an NCAA mark this weekend but she did win the 100 hurdles (15.08) and long jump (18-0.25) while placing second in the high jump (5-2.25).

      Next, Gothenburg sophomore Kiley Peterson was runner up in the shot  put (45-7.25), a throw that is an NCAA provisional toss.

      It was a banner day for the Loper throwers as three men surpassed the NCAA provisional standard. The trio included Kansas sophomore Brandon Karlin in the hammer (1^st/176-0) and Ashland senior Jarrod Holz (2^nd/164-7) and Fairbury freshman Drew Onnen (3^rd/160-1) in the discus.

      Overall, UNK placed second through fifth in the discus.

      Other Loper winners in the meet were Fremont senior Seth Yount in the triple jump (45-3.50), Ogallala senior Shayna Fruit in the high jump (5-3), Curtis freshman Heather Wills in the triple jump (37-3.25) and Fairbury junior Dakota Cochrane in the pole vault (15-5).

      Runners up included Wills in the 200 (26.66), Dannebrog senior Kaci Lickteig at 5,000 meters (18:16.10), Sidney freshman Jessie Golden in the 100 hurdles (15.22), Tecumseh freshman Scott Wenzl in the triple jump (45-.50) and both 4 x 100 relays teams (women, 51.39; men, 42.98).

      This Saturday, UNK will again be at Hays to participate in a "quad" meet with the Tigers, Chadron State and Pittsburg State.