Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney track and field team won six events and had several NCAA provisional efforts at its own UNK Loper Invitational Saturday afternoon at Kearney High School.

This non-team scoring meet was UNK's lone outdoor event of the 2017 season. It also marked the first-ever college meet at KHS's new track facility.

Fairfield junior Bailey Stapleman led the way as he won the pole vault with a career-best height of 16-7.25. One of five Lopers to crack the top seven in the event, Stapleman moves up to seventh on the national list. The effort also ranks second best in school history, trailing only the 17-2.75 Mike Ford achieved in April 2005.

The women's vault crew had a good day as well as they finished fourth through eighth, led by Columbus junior Kylee Study (11-6.25).

Next, Elm Creek sophomore Jacob Bartling placed third in the discus with a career-best toss of 168-8. The effort ranks 10th in Loper lore and 13th in NCAA Division II. Bartling also was third in the shot (53-5.75), an event he already ranks nationally in. 

Putting his name on the national triple jump list for the first time was Grand Island junior Colton Stuhr. He came in second thanks to a career-best leap of 47-11.75.

On the women's side, Colorado true freshman Logan Prater again had a provisional toss in the discus (150-9). The throw has her tied for ninth in school history and bumps her up to

20th in the nation.

A two-time indoor All-American in the high jump, O'Neill junior Emily Everitt won the event today thanks to a season-best effort of 5-6. That puts her on the national list that already includes South Dakota senior Kelsey Fitzgerald. She came in second with a leap of 5-4.25.

On the track, Columbus senior Morgan Benesch won the 1,500 meter run in a career-low 4:41.66, Texas senior Preston Foley led the field at 100 meters (10.68), Ord sophomore Andrew Fields won the steeplechase (9:22.33), Hastings freshman Justin Engberg was first in the 110 hurdles (15.22) and Lincoln junior Mandera Gatwech had one of UNK's all-time top 10 runs at 400 meters (48.39).

Finally, Enberg was runner up in the 400 hurdles (59.35), Fremont junior Trevor Wiegert was second in the 1,500 (4:04.96), Rushville senior Cole Wellnitz took silver in the 800 (1:54.38) and Crofton senior Dani Riesberg was third in the 200 (25.81) and second in the 400 (58.08).

UNK heads to the Jim Dutcher Memorial next weekend at Doane. Some Lopers will also compete in the prestigious KU Relays in Lawrence,