Kearney, Neb. – Nebraska Kearney senior Nick Abdalla won the steeplechase, and four others came in second in their respective events on day two of the 2026 MIAA Outdoor Championships in Pittsburg, Kan.

The three-day meet started Friday and runs through Sunday night. In the team race, the Pittsburg State women (70) lead with Missouri Southern and UNK tied for second (43.50). The MSSU men are currently first (67) with Pitt and UNK tied for second (50). Day two consisted of the completion of the multi-events, three event finals, and three prelims. The meet is available on The MIAA Network. 

Abdalla (Omaha South) joins Nick Knudson (2013-15) and Andrew Fields (2018) as Loper men to win the steeple as he turned in a career-best 8:55.59. That puts him in the national Top 10 now and likely qualifies him for the NCAA Championships later this month. Right behind him in second was Lincoln sophomore Carter Hohlen (9:02.24) with South Sioux City sophomore Mesuidi Ejerso fourth (9:07.13).

In the high jump, both Hastings junior Nolan Studley and Kearney freshman Luke Brachle cleared 6-10.75 on their first attempts to tie for second. Pitt's Xavier Byers (6-11.75) came in first with David City freshman Garett Novacek seventh (6-8.25). Qualifying for event finals on Sunday are Brachle (110-hurdles/4th; career-best 14.05), North Platte freshman Jaxon Knisley (110-hurdles/6th; career-best 14.17), Lincoln freshman Easton Zastrow (800/3rd; 1:51.51) and St. Paul senior Conner Wells (800/6th; 1:51.65). Finally on the men's side, Brady sophomore Dillon Miller missed the 200 finals by one spot (10th/21.85).

In the women's steeple, Central City senior Ella Buhlke was runner up (10:58.05) with York senior Brynn Hirschfeld fifth (11:21.93). Earlier in the day, both Stamford senior Brianna Russell (tied for fifth) and Grand Island junior Keira Jones (seventh) cleared 5-5.75 in the high jump with Grand Island sophomore Maddie Schneider (5th/152-9), Kansas junior Toree Slavik (6th/152-3) and Kearney senior Lily Novacek (7th/152-2) scoring in the discus. Finally, Kansas junior Charis Robinson (2:13.96) and McCool Junction sophomore Kassidy Stuckey (2:14.09) qualified for the 800 finals.

Action resumes Sunday at 11 a.m. with the meeting ending around 6:30 p.m.