University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

After a Weather Delay, Lopers Return to Action at Northwest

Erika Pritchard, UNK Communications

Men's Track and Field | 1/20/2024 11:47:00 PM

Kearney, Neb. – Redshirt senior Wes Ferguson broke the school-record in the mile as Nebraska Kearney won five events at the annual Coach Alsup Open Saturday in Maryville, Mo.

This was the Lopers second indoor meet of the season and the first in the spring semester. Due to the weather, the squad couldn't compete last weekend.

Ferguson (Fremont) ran a 4:03.70 to win by nearly two seconds and best the 4:04.95 four-time All-American Luke Stuckey turned in last February in Pittsburg. This was a good event for the Lopers as four finished in the top seven. Next, Ferguson won the 800 with the second-best time (1:50.31) in Division II this year. Again, UNK showed out as three others cracked the top nine.

Redshirt senior Micah Swedberg (Wallace) almost broke his own school-record in the 400 (48.45) as he managed a 48.46 to finish third. That ranks him 25th nationally now. Also on the track for the men, Norfolk junior Jackson Clausen was runner up in the 200 with a career-best 22.15 which ties for 10th on the all-time list. Finally, Swedberg helped the 4x4 relay team place second (3:18.27) with Sidney sophomore Mitchell Deer cracking the top 10 at 600 yards (1:12.94).

In the field, Giltner redshirt senior Alex Goracke won the weight throw with a career-best heave of 65-5. That ranks him seventh in D2 and keeps him second in the record books; Brett Wetton went 66-1 back in 2001. Also, Creighton junior Alex Homan was runner up in the pole vault (15-7.25).

The Loper women saw David City redshirt junior Gabrielle Oborny and Kearney redshirt senior Courtney Thee tie for first in the pole vault (11-2.25) with Kearney redshirt junior Grace Bonsall taking gold in the 3,000 (10:16.27). Next, Kearney redshirt junior Nicole Messbarger was third in the 400 (NCAA provisional 56.49) and was anchor for the second place 4x4 relay team (3:51.96). That time ranks fourth in Loper lore and 14th in D2.

Kansas freshman Charis Robinson was the third leg for that squad, and she also was runner up in the 800 with a time (2:13.79) that vaults her up to third in school-history and to 14th nationally. Finally, Stamford sophomore Brianna Russell was second in the high jump (5-5.75), Fremont junior Mara Hemmer was runner up in the 3,000 (10:19.03) and Kearney redshirt sophomore Lily Novacek placed fifth in the weight throw (53-5.75).

UNK hosts the annual Charlie Foster Classic next Friday in Cushing Coliseum.

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Players Mentioned

Jackson Clausen: Sophomore; So.

Wes Ferguson: Redshirt Junior; So./Jr

Alex Goracke: Redshirt Junior; R-Jr.

Alex Homan: Junior; So./Jr.

Luke Stuckey: Redshirt Senior; R-Sr.

Micah Swedberg: Redshirt Junior; R-Jr.

Grace Bonsall: Junior; R-So./Jr.

Mara Hemmer: Sophomore; So.

Nicole Messbarger: Junior; R-So./Jr.

Lily Novacek: Redshirt Freshman; R-Fr.

Players Mentioned

Jackson Clausen
: Sophomore; So.

Wes Ferguson
: Redshirt Junior; So./Jr

Alex Goracke
: Redshirt Junior; R-Jr.

Alex Homan
: Junior; So./Jr.

Luke Stuckey
: Redshirt Senior; R-Sr.

Micah Swedberg
: Redshirt Junior; R-Jr.

Grace Bonsall
: Junior; R-So./Jr.

Mara Hemmer
: Sophomore; So.

Nicole Messbarger
: Junior; R-So./Jr.

Lily Novacek
: Redshirt Freshman; R-Fr.