Huskers Capture Six Titles at Husker Invite

Lincoln, Neb. - The 38th running of the Frank Sevigne Husker Invitational came to a close on Saturday with four more event titles won by the Huskers, bringing Nebraska's total to six on the weekend.

Nebraska started the day in the multi-events as Teran Walford wrapped up two days of competition with a fourth-place finish and a huge personal-best total of 5,314 points in the men's heptathlon. En route to his point total, he recorded a personal-best time of 7.24 in the 60 meters, a personal-best mark of 21-7 ½ (6.59) in the long jump, a personal-best leap of 6-4 (1.93) in the high jump and 14-7 ¼ (4.45) in the pole vault. Japheth Cato took the event title for the second consecutive year with a meet record 6,024 points.

Chad Wright finished third in the men's shot put. In a field of top throwers, he recorded a personal-best mark of 61-7 (18.77). His mark keeps him at tenth in the country and second in the Big Ten in the event. Former Husker Luke Pinkelman won the event with a throw of 65-2 (19.86). In the women's shot put, Veronica Grizzle posted a personal-best throw of 51-10 ½ (15.81) to finish fourth. Annie Jackson came in seventh with a throw of 51-6 ¼ (15.70).

Janis Leitis took second in the men's triple jump with a leap of 52-10 ¾ (16.12). Patrick Raedler finished fourth in the event, recording a leap of 51-7 (15.72). Leitis now leads the Big Ten in both the long and triple jumps and ranks third nationally in the triple jump. His mark is fifth all-time in the Nebraska record books. Raedler is second in the Big Ten and seventh in the nation in the triple jump.

In the men's high jump Carlos Hernandez finished fourth with a jump of 6-8 ¾ (2.05). However it was former Husker NCAA Champion Dusty Jonas who stole the show, winning the event with a jump of 7-8 (2.34). His jump broke the Husker Invite and Devaney Center records and is the leading jump in the world.

Strong performances in the men's 600 meters propelled the Huskers as Tommy Brinn won the event with a season-best time of 1:17.95, which ranks second in the Big Ten this season. Cody Rush vaulted to the third spot in the Big Ten with a second-place finish and a personal-best time of 1:18.00, while London Hawk moves into fourth place in the conference standings with a third-place finish on Saturday and a personal-best time of 1:18.68.

Ellie Grooters finished second in the women's 600 meters, posting a season-best time of 1:32.48. Her time ranks eighth in the Big Ten Conference. Fellow Husker Shawnice Williams finished third in the event, recording a personal-best time of 1:33.04.

In the men's 800, Nolan Border surged ahead to take the event title with a time of 1:55.22. Jelena Andjelkovic posted a personal-best time of 2:12.63 in the women's 800 meters special.

Jessica Furlan won the women's mile special with a season-best time of 4:47.63. Her time keeps her 11th in the Big Ten Conference. On the men's side Connor Gibson posted a big personal best of 4:07.27 to finish third. His time ranks as the 12th best time in the Big Ten this year.

Ricco Hall finished third in the men's 400 meters, posting a time of 46.99, while Levi Gipson was fourth, posting a time of 48.60.

Dexter McKenzie finished second in a record-breaking men's 200 meters, posting a personal-best time of 21.00, while Tim Thompson was fifth with a season-best time of 21.44. McKenzie's time is a Big Ten leading time and ties for ninth in the country, while Thompson is seventh in the conference.

Miles Ukaoma finished sixth in the men's 60 meter hurdles, recording a time of 8.02 in the event. Sean Pille finished third in the men's 60 meter hurdles consolation, notching a personal-best time of 8.09.

The Husker men's 4x400 meter relay team of Ricco Hall, Christian Sanderfer, Miles Ukaoma and Janis Leitis finished first with a time of 3:09.31. That performance ranks seventh in the nation, first in the Big Ten and ninth all-time at Nebraska. The women's 4x400 meter relay team of Kari Heck, Ellie Grooters, Shawnice Williams and Mila Andric finished fourth with a time of 3:46.52.

The most valuable performer on the women's side went to the University of Central Florida's Octavious Freeman, while Florida's Dedric Dukes was honored as the men's most valuable performer.

The Huskers return home next weekend to host the Mark Colligan Memorial starting on Saturday, Feb. 9 at noon at the Devaney Center Indoor Track.