Skip To Main Content

University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Colby Spangler
Erika Pritchard, UNK Communications

UNK Has Successful Second Home Meet Led by Novacek's Record Throw

Kearney, Neb. – Junior Lily Novacek recorded a new school record in the weight throw and Nebraska Kearney won 16 events (eight women and eight men) at the annual Charlie Foster Classic Friday night in Cushing Coliseum.

The meet also included athletes from Fort Hays State, Hastings, Dodge City C.C., and Garden City C.C.

Novacek (Kearney H.S.) set a personal best of 59-11.25 in the weight throw at the Graduate Classic in Lincoln two weeks ago and then bested that with a 61-2 in Seward last weekend. Tonight, she went 63-6.75 to win the event by 10 feet and top Tiara Schmidt's school mark of 63-1.50. That was set at the 2021 Charlie Foster. Finally, only the throw moves her up to first in the MIAA and fourth in Division II. 
Wes Ferguson
Loper legend Wes Ferguson was honored tonight


In the men's 800, Omaha sophomore Reed Emsick was one of three Lopers in the top four. His winning time of 1:54.22 converts to a 1:51.75 which currently ranks 17th in D2. On the night, UNK had four events where it placed first, second and third.

Next, Holdrege senior Samantha Schemper soared 11-10.75 to win the vault and move up two spots to fifth in Loper lore with Grand Island freshman Keira Jones almost making the all-time top 10 in the high jump (5-5.75). The other women's first place fishers were Lincoln senior Kerra Smid (1,000/3:12.84), Broken Bow junior Anna Lindstrom (600 yards/1:29.07), Overton junior Maeli Meier (800/2:16.83), Elsie freshman Kendyl Flaming (60/8.19) and York freshman Kassidy Stuckey (mile/5:14.45).

Back on the men's side, Kearney senior Colby Spangler continues to have a strong winter as he had a career-best 48-4.75 to win the triple jump. That moves him up three spots to sixth on the all-time list. Lexington freshman Will Kulhanek ran his second 6.93 at 60 meters to win and remain ninth in school history. Norfolk junior Jackson Clausen (6.94) was literally right behind him.

Finally, Hastings sophomore Nolan Studley won the high jump (6-8.25), Kearney sophomore Zack Watson placed first in the vault (14-10.25), Monroe freshman Dylan Crumley led the way in the long jump (22-3.75) with Firth junior Tanner Cooper (1,000/2:36.47) and Bennington freshman Carter Diamond (600 yards/1:17.54) winning on the track.

UNK heads to Northwest Missouri next weekend for the annual Bearcat Invitational.

 
Print Friendly Version