Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney track and field teams were busy this weekend, competing at the Jo Meaker Classic in Canyon, Texas, the Grizzly Golden Invite in El Dorado, Kan., and the Bronco Invite in Hastings.

Kearney senior Lily Novacek led the way by having the second-best throw in Division II history in the hammer Thursday in Texas. She threw 218-0 twice with all six attempts going at least 63.47 meters. Novacek now leads D2 in the event by nearly eight feet with her toss ranking 11th among D1 throwers. Finally, she came back and won the discus (155-1) Saturday at Hastings.

Also in Canyon, Benkelman freshman Laken Wissink cracked the Loper all-time top 10 in both the 100 (10.52) and 200 (21.48) with Hastings junior Nolan Studley and Kearney freshman Luke Brachle both clearing 6-9.75 in the high jump. Next, Ord redshirt sophomore Sam Boettcher was runner up in both the hammer (195-5) and shot put (52-9.50). He also was second in the discus (152-1) at Hastings.

UNK won nine events in Hastings, going one through four in the women's vault and having the top two finishers in the women's high jump. Among the winners were Hastings sophomore Megyn Scott (vault/12-0.75), Anselmo junior Koral Schmidt (400/59.90), Kansas junior Wyatt Hammond (jav/196-5) and St. Paul junior Jonah Paulsen (triple jump/46-5.50). Finally in Kansas, the Lopers won three events. They were St. Paul senior Conner Wells in the 800 (1:51.87), York senior Brynn Hirschfeld in the steeple (10:48.16) and McCool Junction sophomore Kassidy Stuckey in the 1,500 (4:26.54).

UNK returns home next Saturday for the annual Loper Invite at KHS.

Top 5 D2 Hammer Throws
Heavin Warner (69.33: 227-5 … 5/26/16) Central Missouri
Lily Novacek (66.44: 217-11) … 4/9/26)
Destiney Coward (66.23: 217-3 … 5/5/18) Southern Conn. State
Mel Herl (65.25: 214-1)  … 5/27/17) Chadron State
Jackie Jescheling (64.85; 212-9 … 5/23/02) Ashland