Kearney, Neb. – Senior Cole Wellnitz broke his own school record at 1,500 meters and sophomore Andrew Fields had the fastest steeplechase time by a Nebraska-Kearney Loper in 20 years Friday at the Dr. Keeler Invitational in Naperville, Ill.

A select group of UNK student-athletes took part in three "Last Chance" meets on Friday. Besides the now annual trek to North Central College, the Lopers were also at Missouri Southern State and Concordia.

In the afternoon, Wellnitz (Rushville) ran a 3:47.64 to place fourth out of 83 in the 1,500. Running in the seventh and fastest heat, he had to hurdle a fellow competitor at the 1,100 meter mark to best the 3:49.02 he ran earlier this year at the MIAA vs. NSIC Showdown in Maryville, Mo.

With the effort, Wellnitz moves up to 19th on the national list, a position that could send him to the NCAA Championships May 25-27 in Bradenton, Fla.

Fields (Ord) also was trying to move up the ranks of Division II. Running well past 10:00 p.m. local time, he turned in a 9:05.11 to finish fifth in a field of 58. In the third and final heat, he was the second fastest Division II runner overall, trailing only runner up James Cecil (9:02.78) of Southern Indiana.

Already in UNK's all-time top 10 in the steeple, Fields now ranks fifth behind James White (9:04.90/1997 NCAA Championships). On the current national list, Fields moves up to 23rd.

Also in Naperville, Columbus senior Morgan Benesch was the top Division II finisher in the women's steeple, running a solid 10:42.15. Isabel Seidel of Northwestern (10:31.22) led the field of 35. Benesch has set the school record several times, the latest coming at the MIAA Championships (10:34.95).

In Joplin, Texas senior Preston Foley qualified for the 100 meter dash finals by running a 10.77. He then finished third in the finals with a 10.81.

Finally, in Seward, Hastings freshman Ashley Petr was runner up in the "Division I" discus with a career-best toss for 149-9. The throw makes her a provisional qualifier for the first time and places her just outside the UNK all-time top 10.

Also on the women's side, O'Neill junior Emily Everitt won the high jump (5-5), Utica sophomore Mackenzie Crowder was fifth in the "Division 2" shot put (46-2.75) and Kansas junior Abagayle Spilinek was fourth in the "Division 2" hammer (166-5).

The Loper men saw Elm Creek sophomore Jacob Bartling finish sixth in the "Division 2" shot (53-4.25) with Hastings freshman Justin Enberg runner up in the 110 hurdle prelims (15.23).

The final "Last Chance" meet comes Sunday evening at Kearney High School with the Loper Last Chance.