Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney track and field team won 16 events, including freshman Luke Brachle clearing 7-1.50 in the high jump, Friday night at the annual Charlie Foster Classic in Cushing Coliseum.

The non-team scoring meet also included competitors from Fort Hays State, Hastings, Cloud County C.C., Dodge City C.C., and Garden County C.C. 

Having already cleared 6-11 this winter, Brachle (Kearney H.S.) upped the ante this afternoon by having the second-best indoor effort in Loper lore. He got past 2.04 and 2.12 meters on his third and final attempts, cleared both 2.09 and 2.14 on try one and then came 2.17 meters. Once again, he got over the bar on try three and now leads NCAA Division II. Teammate Nolan Studley (Hastings H.S.) and two others came into the weekend tied at 7-1; current jumps coach Brayden Sorensen holds the Loper indoor standard (7-2.25; Dec. 2023).  
In the triple jump, Gretna senior Clayton Kelly leaped a career-best 49-10 to place first, remain third in the annuals, and rank fourth nationally. On the track, North Platte freshman Jaxon Knisley won the 60 hurdles (8.12) with his prelim time (8.11) moving him up to place to fifth in the record books and to 27th in D2. Finally on the men's side, the winners included Imperial freshman Kole Clevenger in the long jump (22-2.50), Lincoln redshirt freshman Kale Muir at 1,000-meters (2:32.52), Ord redshirt sophomore Sam Boettcher in the shot (52-6.50) and Fremont redshirt junior Tyson Baker in the 800 (1:54.06).

The Loper women had five all-time Top 10 efforts led by Kansas junior Charis Robinson in the 800. Her winning time of 2:55.99 moves her up two places to third with Lincoln sophomore Jordyn Wissing the runner up with the program's ninth best effort (3:04.21). In the pole vault, Hastings sophomore Megyn Scott and Holdrege junior Bradie Medina both cleared 11-8.50. Scott won, Medina was second with the pair now tied for ninth in the books. Next, Stamford senior Brianna Russell and Grand Island sophomore Keira Jones both reached 5-6 in the high jump; Jones moves into a tied for ninth and is up to 24th nationally. Finally, Kearney senior Lily Novacek (weight throw/57-6.25) and Overton senior Maeli Meier (600 yards; 1:28.30) reached the winner's circle again.

The Lopers head to the Bearcat Invitational in Maryville, Mo., next Friday and Saturday. 

Division II Men's HJ Leaders (Through Jan. 31 meets)
1. Luke Brachkle, UNK, 2.17 meters
2. Nolan Studley, UNK, 2.16 meters
    Braden Prielipp, Grand Valley State (Mich.), 2.16 meters
    EJ Johnson, Wisc.-Parkside, 2.16 meters