Husker Tracksters Return to Co-Ed Format

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Lincoln ? The Nebraska track and field team picks up the intensity in its preseason workouts this Friday, Dec. 14, with a Red-White Intrasquad beginning at 6 p.m. at the Devaney Center Indoor Track.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

Action both on the track and in the field will begin at 6 p.m., with running events including (in order) the 600-yard run, 200-meter dash, 60-meter hurdles, 60-meter dash and the 4x400-meter relay. The weight throw, shot put, pole vault, long jump, triple jump and high jump will comprise the field events.

For the first time in two years, the meet features a co-ed team scoring competition instead of pitting the men against the women in a battle of the sexes. The lineups for the Red and White squads have been decided by the Husker coaches and the scoring system will be dual-meet scoring with first place receiving five points, second place three points, third place two points and fourth place one point.  Only two athletes per team will score.

While the men’s squad easily outdistanced the women by a 78-29 margin last season, some outstanding performances were seen from both sides. Several Huskers appeared in mid-season form by either breaking former intrasquad meet records or surpassing previous career bests. In all, five new meet standards were set during the two-hour competition in 2006, a performance the Huskers will be looking to top this Friday.

With five returning All-Americans set to compete at the intrasquad, Nebraska certainly seems up to the challenge. Six-time All-American Dusty Jonas leads the White team, competing in the high jump, long jump and triple jump. Jonas set an intrasquad meet record of 7-3 in the high jump last season and could again eclipse that mark this Friday.

 

Joining Jonas on the White squad are six 2007 NCAA qualifiers, including All-American Lukas Hulett, who will run in the 600-yard run and the 4x400 relay. On the women’s side, the White team is led by defending Big 12 400-hurdle champion Sheryl Morgan (200m, 4x400), as well as co-captain Kim Shubert (HJ, 60H, 4x400).

 

The Red squad also features an impressive billing, including two-time All-American and defending U.S. Junior 200-meter dash champion Scott Wims. Entering his sophomore season at Nebraska, Wims will compete in the 60-meters and the 4x400 relay. He is joined by All-American Dan Christensen on the men’s side (200m, 600y, 4x400), as well as All-American Epley Bullock (HJ), co-captain Leandra McGruder (HJ, TJ) and 2007 NCAA qualifier Chantae McMillan (SP, 4x400) on the women’s side.

 

For a complete roster breakdown, as well as a meet schedule and statistics on individual athletes, please click on the link provided at the top of this page. A link for intrasquad meet records is also provided.

Nebraska officially opens its season Jan. 18-19 with the Holiday Inn Invitational at the Devaney Center Indoor Track. Along with the Huskers, several in-state schools are expected to participate in the meet, which will be the first of five indoor meets in Lincoln this year.