Our Team Nebraska women were led by Aubrey Baxter, showing why she is considered one of the top throwers in the U.S. Fresh off of her 8th place finish at the USA Olympic Trials, she re-wrote the meet record in the Hammer Throw on each of her first 3 tosses and would have extended it further if not for a foul on the final effort. Her new mark of 63.86 meters was a full 5 meters ahead of 2nd place, amazing. She was just getting her strong armed warmed up though as she also scored in the Javelin (4th, 37.45m), the Discus (2nd, 43.90m), and Shot (3rd, 13.96m). Aubrey led our small but mighty women’s team to a 4th place overall finish.
The rest of our women gave it their all as well. Megan Zavorka was 2nd in the Steeplechase in 11:32.60 and incredibly doubled back 3 hours later to run the 10000 (6th, 39:30.13). Natalie Como made her first ever appearance on a track in the same race a top 10 finish in 41:39.59. It was still 94 degrees at the start of the Women’s 10000 and likely even hotter down on the track. In the Women’s 1500 Suzanne Higgins moved up in distance from her accustomed 800 specialty running 5:18.80. In a demonstration of valiant courage and team spirit Christina King agreed to run both our Distance Medley Relay and 4 X 800 relay. Christina was attacked by a dog last week (unleashed by the way) out at the dojo and will be undergoing knee surgery this morning. True grit and the stuff the Good Mates are made of to be sure!
In the Women’s 200 meters, Aliann Pompey of Shore Athletic Club turned in a speedy 23.64 for the win. She will be representing her native Guyana in London.
I’ll give my nod now to the Lincoln Running Company Racing team. They are a new USATF Nebraska Competitive Club and they are Real. I appreciate so much that this young club adheres to the true spirit of the definition of a Competitive Club; to participate and be competitive in USATF Association, Regional, and National Championships events. That is what this designation is all about and they get it. They had the following results from this weekend’s meet: Men’s Hammer, Derek Frese (5th, 53.96m), Men’s Shot, Elliott Bulling (4th, 14.59m), Triple Jump, Kevin Janata (2nd, 13.43m), Women’s 800 meters, Erica Hamik (4th, 2:15.08), Men’s 800 meters, Zach Harsin (4th, 1:57.20), Men’s Steeplechase, Cole Marolf 7th, 10:24.49), Men’s 1500, Logan Watley (7th, 4:08.84), Men’s 10000, Eric Noel (10th, 35:06.79), Women’s 10000, Frances Petersen (4th, 38:30.81), Hannah Kinberg (5th, 38:45.00) and Malaina Huebert (9th, 40:53.58), Men’s Pole Vault, Jay Wall (2nd, 4.72m), Women’s 5000, Amber Brandenburger (10th, 19:17.65), Men’s 5000, Neil Wolford (4th, 15:23.00) and Michael Rathje (10th, 15:57.77), and the Women’s DMR (3rd, 12:47.90).
My favorite photo from this past weekend. We had a mister out on the track during the Women’s and Men’s 10000 meters to help keep the athletes cool in the mid 90 degree temps. We also had kiddie pools full of ice water, cold sponges, cold rags, water tables and an ever alert medical staff.
The Women’s 800 was the most competitive event on Friday with .54 of a second between 1st & 2nd.
Carole Swanson volunteered at the jumps for the weekend, learned how to measure and read a wind gauge too.
Suzanne Higgins made her Team Nebraska debut in the 1500.
The kiddie pools were a big hit in keeping the athletes cooled during the extreme heat of the weekend. Plenty of shade provided by tents for shade as well.
Shannon Stenger brought out 10 of his Titans to help with the meet. They made contributions moving steeple barriers etc. Building bridges to the future success of the USATF Nebraska Association!
Zach Harsin leads David Eads and Andrew Jacob in the Men’s 800 meters. I’m thrilled to finally have some Real Competition for the Good Mates.
Natalie Como made her track debut on a hot night in the 10000 and earned an ice cold rag for her efforts.
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