Huskers Earn 20 Event Titles at the Husker Holiday Open

Lincoln - Nebraska track and field posted a strong showing in the season debut, earning event titles in 20 of the 30 events at the Husker Holiday Open. 

Highlighting the day, Jenna Rogers continued to rewrite the Husker record books as she cleared 6-3 1/4 (1.91m), No. 1 in school history. In the pole vault, freshman Dyson Wicker made his Husker debut clearing 17-4 1/4 (5.29m), good for the event win and second-highest in the country. Zach Zohner placed second at 16-10 1/4 (5.14m). Kylie Clark vaulted a personal-best 13-8 1/2 (4.18m) to finish first. 

To start the day for the Huskers, Darby Thomas secured the 60m win with a personal-best 7.41, ahead of Velecia Williams who clocked in at 7.62. 

In the 60m hurdles, making her event debut, Lishanna Ilves won with a time of 8.79. Grace Parsons placed fourth with a personal-best, 8.97. On the men’s side, Adria Navajon was the top college finisher with a time of 8.04. Competing unattached, Till Steinforth ran 7.93.

Grant Wasserman earned the all-Husker mile win with 4:14.97. Rico Leijenaar finished second with a time of 4:15.28, and Denny Chapman set a personal-best at 4:15.62 for third. Brynna McQuillen took the win in the women’s mile, running a time of 4:56.47. 

In the men’s weight throw, Max Herman claimed the event title with a mark of 65-0 (19.81m), while Seth Schnakenberg threw a personal-best 63-0 (19.20m) for second. On the women’s side, Ariel Ammentorp set a new personal-best, 65-2 3/4 (19.88m), to finish first.

Kavian Kerr won the 300m with a time of 34.13, and Abrielle Artley ran a personal-best 38.57 to claim the win. In the long jump, Ilves’ strong day continued with a 20-10 (6.35m) in the long jump, good for the first-place finish. 

In the all-Husker 600m, freshman Pradeep Senthkilkumar (1:17.96) and Meghan Walker (1:35.12) earned the win before the Huskers finished top-three in the men’s 800m: Niko Schultz (1:49.42), Gabe Nash (1:49.50) and Kaleb Sharp (1:50.89).

Tyus Wilson claimed the high-jump title, clearing 7-1 3/4 (2.18m), followed by personal bests from Mason Kooi and Reid Nelson at 7-0 1/2 (2.15m), good for second. 

After redshirting last season, Maxwell Otterdahl made his return with a 63-5 1/2 (19.34m), good for a first-place shot put finish. On the women’s side, Mine De Klerk with a 57-1 1/2 (17.41m). 

Nebraska took the triple jump event titles as Rhianna Phipps jumped 40-6 1/4 (12.35m), and Micaylon Moore hit the 50-5 1/2 (15.38) mark. 

Up next, Nebraska hosts the Graduate Classic Jan. 17-18 at the Devaney Sports Center Indoor Track with events beginning at 12 p.m. (CT) on Friday.

Husker Holiday Open Event Winners
Darby Thomas (60m)
Lishanna Ilves (60mH and Long Jump)
Grant Wasserman (Mile)
Max Herman (Weight Throw)
Ariel Ammentorp (Weight Throw)
Dyson Wicker (Pole Vault)
Kylie Clark (Pole Vault)
Tyus Wilson (High Jump)
Jenna Rogers (High Jump)
Maxwell Otterdahl (Shot put)
Mine De Klerk (Shot put)
Micaylon Moore (Triple Jump)
Rhianna Phipps (Triple Jump)
Brynna McQuillen (Mile)
Kavian Kerr (300m)
Abrielle Artley (300m)
Pradeep Senthkilkumar (600m)
Meghan Walker (600m)
Niko Schultz (800m)