Kearney, Neb. – Redshirt freshman Wes Ferguson broke the school record in the 800 and Nebraska-Kearney won six events (three men and three women) Saturday at the Northwest Open in Maryville.

The two-day, non-team scoring meet began Friday and featured schools from Division II, the NAIA and junior colleges. This was UNK's second meet of the season and first since early December. 

Ferguson (Fremont) won the 800-meter run in a time of 1:50.60. Coming in first by over two seconds the effort puts him on the national list and bests the previous Loper standard of 1:51.43, set by All-American Paul Pape in February 2012. In December Ferguson won this same event at the UNK Pre-Holiday Classic (1:54.34).

Another Loper newcomer starred as O'Neill true freshman Abby Everitt won the high jump with a leap of 5-6. That puts her name on the national list and ties her for seventh in UNK history. Older sister and All-American Emily Everitt is just two spots ahead (5-7.75) on that list.  

Joining Ferguson and Everitt atop the award stand was McCook senior Tiara Schmidt (weight throw/62-5.25), Hastings junior Seth Simonson (mile/4:13.37), Bridgeport redshirt junior Connor Wiggins (weight throw/56-5.25), and David City true freshman Gabrielle Oborny (pole vault/11-0.25). Schmidt had a strong effort after a school-record 62-6 in December, Simonson was one of four Lopers in the mile top eight, Wiggins was one of five UNK athletes in the weight top six, and Oborny one of five Lopers in the vault top seven.

Next, Colorado senior Logan Prater got on the national list with a 56-6 effort in the weight throw, good for third place, with Ainsworth sophomore Ben Arens one of four Lopers in the 3,000 top eight. His 8:28.72 was good for fourth place and moves him into the UNK top 10 (sixth).

Finally, St. Libory junior Noah Bruggeman led a herd of Lopers in the men's vault (3rd/14-8.75), Grand Island senior Mackenzie Puckett was runner up in the triple jump (38-0), Giltner redshirt sophomore Alex Goracke was runner up in the shot (51-9.75), Imperial senior Destiny Reinke was second in the mile (5:16.78), and Holdrege junior Cassidy Connell was second in the shot (43-9.25).

UNK returns home next Saturday for the Charlie Foster Classic.