Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney track and field teams won 11 events (five women and six men) Sunday at the annual Loper Invitational at Kearney H.S.
The seven-team meet was pushed back a day due to high winds and cool temperatures. UNK finishes the home slate May 9 (Sat.) with the annual Loper Twilight.
Sophomore Kassidy Stuckey (McCool Junction) and freshman Luke Brachle (Kearney) were among the standouts today. Stuckey turned in the program’s second-best all-time effort in the 800 (2:09.61) while Brachle also moved up to second in the 110-hurdles (14.18). Stuckey came in first with Brachle trailing only Eli Etherton of Nebraska Wesleyan (13.94).
Also winning on the women’s side was Kearney senior Lily Novacek (hammer invite/202-4), Grand Island sophomore Maddie Schneider (discus/143-7), Kansas sophomore McKenzie Campbell (shot put/41-10.50) and Kansas junior Charis Robinson (1,500/4:41.28). Next, Both Grand Island sophomore Keira Jones and Kansas freshman Emily Bainter cleared 5-5.75 in the high jump to come in second and third, respectively, with Sidney sophomore Talissa Tanquary trailing Stuckey in the 800 (2:15.72) and Kearney freshman Abigail Burger right behind Robinson in the 1,500 (4:41.37). Finally, both Hastings sophomore Megyn Scott and Blair sophomore Greta Galbraith cleared 12-1.25 in the vault to have career-best efforts and move up the Top 10.
Winning on the men’s side were Kansas senior Rylan Basart (javelin/230-2), Gretna senior Clayton Kelly (triple jump/49-2.50), St. Paul senior Conner Wells (1,500/3:52.97), Lincoln sophomore Kale Muir (800/1:51.19) and David City freshman Garett Novacek (high jump/6-7). The men’s 4×4 relay team turned in the program’s 10th fastest time (3:14.90) with Sidney senior Mitchell Deer the second leg. Earlier, he had a career-best time (47.61) in the 400 which moved him six spots to second on the Top 10. Finally, joining the Top 10 is Firth redshirt freshman Eli Holt (187-9) in the hammer and he also won the discus (147-8).
UNK competes in Iowa (Drake Relays and Kip Janvrin Open), Nebraska (Prairie Wolf Invite) and Kansas (Alex Francis Classic ) next weekend with weather likely to change at least one meet schedule.
