Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney track and field team returned to action with The Graduate Classic Friday in Lincoln.

This annual two-day meet hosted by the 'Huskers began this afternoon and runs through Saturday night Live results are available.

On the women's side, McCook sophomore Tiara Schmidt was ninth in the weight throw (54-8.75) with Colorado junior Logan Prater two spots behind (51-1). Also in the field, Omaha junior Jessica Braun cleared 10-0 to be fifth in the unseeded pole vault with Omaha freshman Alyssa Schlaht (5-1) fourth in the unseeded high jump.

Colorado senior Micheala Hoffman led on the track by running a 9.37 to be eighth in the 60 hurdle prelims. She'll run again tomorrow in the finals. Next, three Lopers were in the top 17 of the 60 meter prelims with Axtell sophomore Regan Miller leading the way (12th/8.15). In the distance events, Imperial sophomore Destiny Reinke ran a 5:11.76 mile to place sixth with Iowa sophomore Maddie Bach (5:15.69) one place back. Finally, Merna senior Elizabeth Cramer (10:50.90) and Comstock redshirt freshman Zoe Ritz cracked the top 12 at 3,000 meters.

Illinois redshirt freshman Ross Berggren paced the Lopers in the men's weight throw with a career-best toss of 54-0. Grand Island grad transfer Zach Brittain was two spots back (50-10.25) competing as a Loper for the first time. In the unseeded high jump, Lincoln sophomore Jacob Dowd finished fifth (6-2.25) with Mitchell freshman Justin Spencer clearing 15-1.50 to be runner up in the unseeded pole vault.

Lincoln sophomore Nate Pierce returned home to be sixth in the mile (4:17.40) while Kearney sophomore Cole Willis was one of three UNK runners in the 800 top 10. He came in fifth thanks to a 1:56.04. Finally, Hastings freshman Lukaas Simonson led a trio of Lopers with an 11^th place finish at 1,000 meters (2:39.02).