25 Huskers Headed to NCAA Outdoor Championships

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Lincoln?Nebraska received 28 individual entries to the upcoming NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, the NCAA released Tuesday afternoon. The Huskers are expected to send 25 individuals?one of its largest squads in recent history?to the meet, which will be held June 6 through 9 in Sacramento, Calif.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

In addition to the 17 automatic qualifications earned by Huskers during last weekend’s NCAA Midwest Regional Championships in Des Moines, Iowa, the squad received 10 more at-large bids Tuesday afternoon. Senior Ashley Selig automatically earned entrance to the meet back in April with an automatic-qualifying score in the heptathlon at the Texas Relays.

 

Tabbed as at-large selections for the Husker women were: senior Casie Witte in the heptathlon; junior Kim Shubert and freshman Epley Bullock in the high jump; and junior Jenny Green in the pole vault. Five NU men’s entries were added to the squad: senior Daniel Roper and junior Dusty Jonas in the long jump; sophomore Skyler Reising in the decathlon; freshman Tim Grier in the 400-meter hurdles; and freshman Lukas Hulett in the 400-meter dash.

 

Roper (triple jump) and Jonas (high jump) each already owned spots on NU’s NCAA Championships roster in other events following top-five finishes Saturday during the regional meet. Freshman Scott Wims, who claimed the Midwest Regional title in the men’s 200-meter dash, may compete in as many as three events, as he owns spots in the 100- and 200-meter dash fields in addition to running on NU’s 4x400-meter relay.

                                                        

Nebraska is expected to send a collection of five Huskers to Sacramento for its men’s 4x400-meter relay: senior Nate Probasco and freshmen Dax Danns, Tim Grier, Lukas Hulett and Wims. Danns is the lone athlete among the group who will not compete in an individual event.

 

Both Nebraska squads will feature a solid mix of veterans and young athletes. Ten Huskers will wrap-up their careers on their sport’s highest stage, while 11 athletes of either freshman or sophomore standing (seven freshmen) are expected to compete.

 

The NCAA Outdoor Championships begin at Noon (central) on Wednesday, June 6, and run through Saturday, June 9. Portions of the final two days of the meet will be broadcast live, Friday on CSTV (time to be announced) and Saturday on CBS starting at Noon.

Nebraska Men's NCAA Roster

Gable Baldwin, Jr. ? Pole Vault
Dax Danns, Fr. ? 4x400m
Tim Grier, Fr. ? 400m Hurdles; 4x400m
Lukas Hulett, Fr. ? 400m; 4x400m
Dusty Jonas, Jr. ? Long Jump; High Jump
Lee Martin, Sr. ? Decathlon
Nate Probasco, Sr. ? 200m; 4x400m
Skyler Reising, So. ? Decathlon
Daniel Roper, Jr. ? Long Jump; Triple Jump
Peter van der Westhuizen ? 1,500m
Scott Wims, Fr. ? 100m; 200m; 4x400m
Issar Yazhbin, Sr. ? Hammer Throw

Nebraska Women's NCAA Roster
Epley Bullock, Fr. ? High Jump
Rachel Carrizales, So. ? 3,000m Steeplechase
Jenny Green, Jr. ? Pole Vault
Leandra McGruder, Fr. ? Long Jump
Chantae McMillan, Fr. ? Long Jump
Sheryl Morgan, Sr. ? 400m Hurdles
Dace Ruskule, Sr. ? Discus
Ashley Selig, Sr. ? Heptathlon
Kim Shubert, Jr. ? High Jump
Brysun Stately, So. ? Pole Vault
Jeni Steiner, Sr. ? Shot Put
Zarinah Suluki-Drakes, So. ? Triple Jump
Casie Witte, Sr. ? Heptathlon