Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney track and field teams won 15 events (nine men and six women) to place first on both sides at the annual Alex Francis Classic Friday night in Hays, Kan.

The meet was pushed up a full day due to expected rain in the area on Saturday.

The Loper men scored 210.50 points while the women netted 242 points. Besides the host Tigers, others in attendance included Bethany College, McPherson College and Dodge City C.C..

While UNK didn't have any new NCAA provisional efforts, junior McCook Marcus Gonzales did improve his standing on the national hammer list. He placed first thanks to a career-best toss of 183-0, which currently places him 21st in Division II. The distance also moves him up to seventh in school history.

At 5,000 meters,

Rushville senior Cole Wellnitz was one of four Lopers to crack the top eight. He won thanks to a time (14:52.09) that ranks fifth lowest in UNK history.

Texas senior Preston Foley (100/10.79), Scottsbluff junior Tayler James (1,500/4:08.22) and Ord sophomore Andrew Fields (steeple/9:25.71) were the other winners on the track. Foley also ran anchor for the second place 4x1 relay team (42.44).

As usual, UNK did well in the pole vault, having six of the top eight finishers. That group was led by winner and Fairfield junior Bailey Stapleman (15-8.50). In the high jump, Deweese freshman Trace Gordanier again placed first (6-6.75).

Finally on the men's side, Elm Creek sophomore Jacob Bartling won the shot (53-0) and was second in the discus (156-3) with Grand Island junior Colton Stuhr first in the triple jump (45-3.50).

The Loper women saw its throwers dominate, having the top four finishers in both the shot and hammer and having four of the top five in the discus. The winners were Nelson junior Holly Bower (hammer/150-5), Utica sophomore Mackenzie Crowder (shot/43-11.25), and Hastings freshman Ashley Petr (discus/144-3).

Not to be outdone, Aurora sophomore Beth Wilson placed third in the javelin with the fifth best toss (125-2) in UNK history. In other field events, South Dakota senior Kelsey Fitzgerald won the high jump (5-5) with O'Neill junior Emily Everitt second (5-3). This was Fitzgerald's first track meet in four years; she recently wrapped up a four-year basketball career for the Lopers.

On the track, Columbus senior Morgan Benesch (steeple/11:05.19) and Colorado sophomore Micheala Hoffman (100 hurdles/1:08.40) placed first. Hoffman, also a soccer player, was runner up in the 400 hurdles (1:08.40) as well.

Finally, Crofton senior Dani Riesberg was fourth in the 800 (2:32.73) and ran anchor on the 4x1 (49.48) and 4x4 (4:07.31) relay teams that both came in second.

Weather permitting, UNK heads to Maryville, Mo., next weekend for the NW Missouri State Showdown.