Keanrey, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney track and field team returned to action after a long Holiday Break by competing in the annual Graduate Classic this weekend in Lincoln.

The two-day meet, featuring junior colleges through NCAA Division I schools, began Friday afternoon and ran until Saturday evening. 

UNK had 18 top six finishes led by McCool Junction sophomore Kassidy Stuckey in the mile. She ran a 4:52.92 to beat her own school record by four seconds and finish sixth out of 23 runners. At the moment, the time ranks seventh in Division II.

Next, Central City senior Ella Buhlke was fifth in the 3,000 with the third best time (10:01.60) in Loper lore with Kansas junior Charis Robinson having a career-best effort at 1,000-meters (2:58.49) to finish fourth and remain fifth in the annuals. Also cracking the all-time top 10 in this event was Sidney sophomore Talissa Tanquary (3:03.03). Finally on the women's side, Stamford junior Brianna Russell cleared 5-7 in the high jump, and both Holdrege junior Bradie Medina and Blair sophomore Greta Galbraith reached 11-6.25 in the pole vault.

The men's top event was the 1,000 where three Lopers had all-time Top 10 times. They were St. Paul senior Conner Wells (3rd/2:27.35), Fremont junior Tyson Baker (5th/2:29.41) and Lincoln sophomore Kale Muir (7th/2:29.49). Also on the track, senior Mitchell Deer was third at 600 meters with the program's fourth fastest time (1:20.35) and Lincoln sophomore Carter Hohlen was runner up in the 3,000 (8:31.15).

In the field, Hastings junior Nolan Studley (7-0.25) and Kearney freshman Luke Brachle (6-11) were runner up and fifth, respectively, in the high jump with Arizona junior Malcolm Lee second in the triple jump (45-4.50). Brachle is now tied for fifth all-time with Studley just off his career best (7-1).  

UNK heads to Wayne State next Saturday for the MIAA/NSIC Showdown.