Kearney, Neb. – Senior Cole Wellnitz broke a 23-year old record in the mile and junior Abagayle Spilinek had a big effort in the weight throw to lead Nebraska-Kearney Saturday at the annual South Dakota State Indoor Classic in Brookings.

The large non-team scoring meet began Friday. Many of the events featured well over 100 competitors with some divided into unseeded and seeded flights and held over two days.

Wellnitz (Rushville) led a field of 131 in the mile by running a 4:08.10. Placing him 17th on the current national list, the time allows him to just break Tom Magnuson's record of 4:08.24, set back in March 1994.

In the women's weight throw, Spilinek (Wichita) finished eighth thanks to a heave of 56-3.75. Already a provisional qualifier, this career-best throw has her ranked

28th in Division II. The only other Loper women to have a 56 foot toss in the weight throw are Janet Boettcher (59-11) and Danyell Coons (57-6.25).

Also in the throws, Elm Creek sophomore Jacob Bartling had a season-best throw of 53-2.25 in the shot put. That places him 28th on the national list at the moment.

In the women's mile, Columbus senior Morgan Benesch ran a 5:03.76 to finish fifth out of 99. The time is the fifth fastest in school history. Also cracking the top 30 were Blair junior Molly Dibben (28th/5:20.80) and Holdrege sophomore Gabby Gracia (29th/5:20.85).

Finally, Hershey senior Brooke Frederick was third in the pole vault (11-11.75), Columbus freshman Cassidy Dyhrkopp 10th in the triple jump (36-2.25) and Lincoln junior Mandera Gatwech was 12th at 400 meters (49.11). That time moves him up to sixth on the UNK all-time top 10 list

The Lopers head to Lincoln next Friday for the Nebraska Tune Up and the Nebraska Wesleyan Open.