Kearney, Neb. – Senior Mitchell Deer and sophomore Kassidy Stuckey broker their own school records to lead the Nebraska Kearney track and field team at the annual Bearcat Invitational this weekend in Maryville.

The large two-meet began Friday afternoon and ended Saturday night.

Deer (Sidney) was runner up in the 400-meter "invite" with a 47.59, besting the 48.21 effort he turned in last month. In the women's mile, Stuckey (McCool Junction) came in first thanks to a 4:49.52. She broke a 14-year-old mark last month with a 4:52.92. Deer now ranks 18th nationally with Stuckey 14th. Also, Deer was the lead for the third place 4x4 relay team that turned in the Lopers fourth best time (3:15.72). The next three runners were Atkinson freshman Andrew Rentschler, Kearney freshman Evan Shaffer and Omaha freshman Kirk Pulliam. 

In the women's 800, Kansas junior Charis Robinson came in fifth with the program's second-best time (2:11.72) while Kearney freshman Abigail Burger won at 5,000-meters with a time (17:18.90) that vaults her into second place. Right behind her is Central City senior Ella Buhlke (17:30.18) who came in second place. 

Also on the women's side, Sidney sophomore Talissa Tanquary won at 600 yards (1:27.66), Kearney senior Lily Novacek was second (61-0) and Kansas junior Toree Slavik fourth (56-6) in the weight throw, and both York senior Melanie Driewer and Kansas junior Bradie Medina cleared 11-25.0 in the vault. With her efforts, Slavik moves into the UNK all-time top 10. 

Back on the men's side, Omaha senior Nick Abdalla was fourth in the 3,000 (career-best 8:18.22), Atkinson freshman Andrew Rentschler was seventh in the 400 (49.09), Kearney freshman Luke Brachle (3rd/8.03) and North Platte freshman Jaxon Knisely (8th/8.18) both placed in the 60-hurdles finals and David City freshman Garett Novacek reached 6-6 in the high jump.

UNK heads to Topeka for the annual Washburn Invite next Friday and Saturday (Feb. 13-14).