February 21, 2008

Nine Join Lopers

Six Men, Three Women

     Kearney, Neb. – Nebraska-Kearney head track and field coach Andy Meyer announced the names of nine high school seniors (six men, three women)) who will compete for the Lopers next year.

      The women include Tabitha Kreutzer (Holdrege), Skylar Rohde (Ansley) and Mackenzie Schulz (Omaha/Millard West).

      The men's newcomers are Brian Itzen (Thayer Central), Nick Kizzire (Bayard), Austin Muench (Omaha/Millard North), Alex Paul (Gothenburg), Al Sanabria (Minden) and Teran Walford (York).

      On the women's side, Rohde has won the Class D 100 and 200 meter dashes the past two years with Schulz being a Class A state medallist in three events last spring; 800 meters, 1,600 meters and 4 x 800 relay.

      Finally, Kreutzer was a Class B state medallist in the 100 and 200 last year.   

      Among the men's newcomers, Sanabria is a two-time Class C state cross country champ while Kizzire won the Class C state title in the 3,200 meters as a junior. He also was the Class D state runner up in cross country this past fall.

      Itzen earned a Class C state medal in the 100 and 200 meter dashes in 2007 with Paul being a Class B state medallist in the 400 and for running on the 4 x 400 relay team.

      Muench should help out in the throws as the placed 10^th in the javelin at the 2007 National Junior Olympic Championships.

      Finally, Walford is a multi-event prospect with experience in the hurdles, high jump and pole vault. He was a Class B state meet qualifier in the 110 hurdles the past two years.

      Meyer said UNK will add more recruits later this year. UNK hosts the RMAC Indoor Championships Feb. 29-March 1 in Cushing Coliseum.