NU Notches Three More NCAA Qualifiers

The <?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Nebraska men’s and women’s track and field teams concluded their first weekend of road competition Saturday at the Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark., and Iowa State Classic in Ames, Iowa. Three Huskers gained new NCAA qualifying marks on the day.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

The third NCAA automatic qualification for the NU men’s squad on the weekend was notched by sophomore Dusty Jonas, who placed fourth in the Championship division of the men’s high jump at the Tyson Invite. Jonas became the seventh high jumper in the nation to earn an automatic bid after tying his indoor personal-best height of 7-3 3/4. Senior Aaron Plas also competed in the event, finishing eighth (6-11 3/4).

                   

Junior Nate Probasco competed in his specialty event, the 200-meter dash, for the first time Saturday, placing fourth in the men’s Championship division with a clocking of 21.18. The time, which ranks as the eighth-best mark in the NCAA this season, earned Probasco his first provisional qualification of the season to next month’s NCAA Indoor Championships, which will be held in Fayetteville.

 

Junior Daniel Roper also claimed his first provisional mark in the triple jump with a sixth-place finish in the men’s Championship division. His leap of 51-4 1/2 erased his previous season best mark of 49-0 3/4.

 

Nebraska’s lone final-day winner in Arkansas was sophomore Egle Uljas, who edged out Michigan’s Nicole Edwards for first-place honors in the women’s 800-meter Championship section. Uljas posted a time of 2:06.90 to win by 0.14 seconds one week after setting the NU school record of 2:05.30 at the Frank Sevigne Husker Invitational in Lincoln.

 

Other athletes competing at the Tyson Invite Saturday included junior Gable Baldwin, who finished second in the men’s University Championship division pole vault with a clearance of 17-5; senior Ray Scotten, the 10th-place finisher in the pole vault (16-7 1/4); and senior Sara Jane Baker, who tied for sixth in the women’s College division high jump (5-6 1/2).

 

Senior Becky Breisch led Nebraska’s contingent at the Iowa State Classic with a win in the women’s shot put on Saturday. The eight-time NCAA All-American set a new career best with her winning toss of 57-10 1/2, surpassing her previous best by four inches. Breisch hit the NCAA automatic-qualifying standard for the fourth consecutive meet with the performance.

 

Junior Justine Roach and redshirt freshman Nathan Kumm each posted fourth-place finishes in their respective races of the women’s and men’s 600-yard run. Kumm’s time of 1:11.72 was a personal best, while Roach set a season best with her 1:24.82.

 

Senior Aaron Ross bowed out of the men’s 60-meter hurdles competition after tying for the 10th-best time of 8.03 during the semifinal round. Ross advanced to the semis by clocking an 8.02 during Friday’s prelims.

 

Nebraska prepares for the Big 12 Indoor Championships, which will be held Feb. 24-25 in Lincoln, next weekend, as most athletes will take the week off from competition for training purposes. A select group of Huskers will compete at the Prairie Wolf Invitational, hosted by Nebraska Wesleyan at the Devaney Center Indoor Track.