Track Adds Three More All-Americans on Saturday

3/14/2026 6:57:00 PM

Kearney, Neb. – Senior Clayton Kelly, junior Nolan Studley and freshman Luke Brachle earned All-American honors Saturday at the 2026 NCAA Indoor Championships in Virginia Beach.

The two-day meet wrapped up Saturday night with UNK having three All-Americans (top 12 place) on Friday; senior Lily Novacek (weight throw), senior Brianna Russell (high jump) and sophomore Kassidy Stuckey (mile). MIAA member Pittsburg State won both the national team titles. Nolan Studley

Early Saturday afternoon, Kelly (Gretna) placed 10th in the triple jump to earn second-team AA status. He's the first Loper All-American triple jumper since Marty Molina in 2012. He went 48-10 on his second try and after a 48-2.75 effort. Washburn's Justin Forde (53-5.50) won the national title with Pitt State having two in the top nine.

Next, Stuckey (McCool Junction) finished sixth in the mile finals after ranking eighth in prelims Friday to punch her AA ticket. She ran a 4:47.99 today to best three others and join Michelle Dill (2008) as the only Loper women AA's in the mile. Finally, Adams State's Ava O'Connor (4:44.04) clipped CSU-Pueblo's Helen Braybrook (4:44.49) for the title.

Studley (Hastings) and Brachle (Kearney) then took part in the high jump. Both cleared 6-7 and 6-9 on their first attempts with Studley bowing out at 6-11. Brachle reached that height on his third attempt and then failed to get over 7-0.25. Sayer Moloy of Saginaw Valley (Mich.) State came in first by clearing 7-2.50 on his first attempt. Finally, Studley is now a three time AA.

UNK begins the outdoor season at home on March 28.

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