Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney track & field team had a strong showing this weekend at the Holiday Inn Invitational and the Scott Nisely Memorial Classic.

The HII was a two-day event hosted by Nebraska while the annual Scott Nisely was Saturday at Doane. Both were non-team scoring events.

After a strong Friday night at UNL, the Lopers were led by Kearney senior Cody Wirth on Saturday. He ran a career-low 1:20.95 to finish fifth out of 26 in the 600 meter run. That time keeps him fourth on UNK's all-time top 10 list.

Also on the track, Lincoln junior Mandera Gatwech was eighth out of 30 in the 400 (50.19) and Texas senior Preston Foley was 11th out of 32 in the second 60 meter prelims (7.04). He also had the team's best time in the 200 at 22.93.

On the field, York sophomore Andrew Heine (4th/52-7.5) and Elm Creek sophomore Jake Bartling (6th/50-2) cracked the top seven in the shot.

Crofton senior Dani Reisberg was one of three Loper women in the top 18 in the 600 (14th/1:43.60). Next, Wood River true freshman Jessica Rauert led the team at 60 (8.28) with Plattsmouth true freshman April Graham one of three UNK runners in the 400 top 25 (1:02.37).

Finally, competing unattached, Utica junior Mackenzie Crowder was seventh out of 20 in the shot (43-3.75).

In the men's high jump at Doane, senior Bevan Wemhoff (Bakersfield, Calif.) came in fourth (6-7) and true freshman Trace Gordanier (Sandy Creek H.S.) was sixth by clearing 6-5.

UNK was well represented in the men's pole vault as sophomore Mitchell Reitz, redshirt freshman Preston Rath (Holdrege) and true freshman Lindsey Larabee (Aztec, N.M.) each cleared 14-1.25. Based on judge's decision, Reitz (McCook) came in fourth with the other Lopers tying for sixth.

The other top 10 finishers came from Hastings freshman Justin Engberg (2nd/8.47) and Grand Island junior Colton Stuhr in the triple jump (7th/44-6).

On the women's side, UNK had four of the top eight finishers in the triple jump and three in the top 20 in the weight throw. Colorado junior Frankie Noeldner and Grand Island true freshman Mackenzie Puckett led the way in the triple by both leaping 34-1.25, good for fourth place, with Hastings true freshman Ashley Petr finishing eighth in the weight throw (48-3.50).

Finally, Tekamah junior Jade Braniff was sixth in the high jump (5-1.75) and Omaha true freshman Jessica Braun was sixth in the pole vault (10-8.75).

UNK competes next Friday at the Nebraska Wesleyan Invitational. That meet will be held at UNL's Bob Devaney Sports Center and NWU's Knight Fieldhouse.