Johansson, Moore Claim Titles On Day Two in Arkansas

Nebraska track and field’s final day at the prestigious Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark., was highlighted by two titles and a trio of all-time marks.

The Husker women put four athletes in the top six of the shot put, led by Axelina Johansson getting the event win, throwing 18.32m (60-1 ¼). Kalynn Meyer finished fourth (17.07m, 56-0), and Mine De Klerk (16.78m, 55-0 ¾) and Kellyn Kortemeyer (16.68m, 54-8 ¾) placed fifth and sixth. Kortemeyer’s personal-best throw moves her up to 10th on the Husker all-time list as she is now the fifth current Husker thrower in the top 10. In the men’s shot put, Cade Moran placed fifth with a season-best 18.67m (61-3). 

Micaylon Moore won the men’s triple jump with a mark of 15.95m (52-4), while Balvin Israel jumped a PR 14.43m (47-4 ¼) for the 10th-place finish. In the women’s triple jump invitational, Velecial Williams jumped 13.35m (43-9 ¾) to improve her fifth-best all-time Husker mark and earn fourth. Rhianna Phipps placed ninth, 13.00m (42-8). 

The Huskers went two, three and seven in the women’s high jump, as Ela Velepec was second (1.80m, 5-10 ¾), Brooklyn Miller was third (1.75m, 5-8 ¾) and Karsyn Leeling finished seventh (1.65m, 5-5). In the men’s high jump invitational, Tyus Wilson led the way, clearing 2.20m (7-2 ½) for fourth. Reid Nelson (2.15m, 7-0 ½) and Mason Kooi (2.10m, 6-10 ¾) rounded out the group of Huskers in eighth and 11th, respectively. 

Arina Razina cleared 4.09m (13-5) in the women’s pole vault to place fourth. Kylie Clark cleared a personal-best 4.24m (13-11) in the pole vault invitational, finishing 11th.

Nebraska improved two top five all-time marks and set personal bests in the men’s 800m invitational, as Niko Schultz earned 11th (1:47.42) and Pradeep Senthilkumar ran to 15th (1:48.60). 

Kavian Kerr finished eighth in the men’s 200m, running 21.22, while Darby Thomas led the group of five Huskers on the women’s side with a 30th-place finish and a time of 24.27. 

In the men’s mile, Jack Witte was the top Husker finisher, running a PR 4:05.53 for an 18th-place finish. On the women’s side, Brynna McQuillen ran 4:51.33 for 22nd. 

Logan Lebo, Tyrell Pierce, Schultz and Senthilkumar competed in the men’s 4x400m relay, running 3:10.81 for 15th. 

Up next, the Huskers return home for the Nebraska Tune-Up on Friday, Feb. 21 at the Bob Devaney Sports Center Indoor Track. 

Pole Vault
4. Arina Razina 4.09m (13-5)
15. Jacelyn Neighbors 3.94m (12-11)
16. Aspen Fears 3.94m (12-11)

Pole Vault Invitational
11. Kylie Clark-Fox 4.24m (13-11) PR

High Jump
2. Ela Velepec 1.80m (5-10 ¾) PR
3. Brooklyn Miller 1.75m (5-8 ¾)
7. Karsyn Leeling 1.65m (5-5)

8. Ashriel Dixon 2.00m (6-6 ¾)
8. Desire Tonye-Nyemeck 2.00m (6-6 ¾)

High Jump Invitational
4. Tyus Wilson 2.20m (7-2 ½)
8. Reid Nelson 2.15m (7-0 ½)
11. Mason Kooi 2.10m (6-10 ¾)

800m Invitational
11. Niko Schultz 1:47.42 PR
15. Pradeep Senthilkumar 1:48.60 PR

Triple Jump 
1. Micaylon Moore 15.95m (52-4)
10. Balvin Israel 14.43m (47-4 ¼)

Triple Jump Invitational 
4. Velecia Williams 13.35m (43-9 ¾) PR
9. Rhianna Phipps 13.00m (42-8)

200m
30. Darby Thomas 24.27
46. Kelsie Belquist 24.71 PR
47. Abrielle Artley 24.74 PR
49. Seven Hicks 24.78
51. Bariborve Deebom 25.12 

8. Kavian Kerr 21.22

Shot Put
1. Axelina Johansson 18.32m (60-1 ¼)
4. Kalynn Meyer 17.07m (56-0)
5. Mine De Klerk 16.78m (55-0 ¾)
6. Kellyn Kortemeyer 16.68m (54-8 ¾) PR 
11. Amelia Flynt 16.27m (53-4 ½)

5. Cade Moran 18.67m (61-3)
24. Kael Miedema 17.20m (56-5 ¼)

Mile 
22. Brynna McQuillen 4:51.33
42. Taya Skelton 5:00.63

18. Jack Witte 4:05.53 PR
32. Sam Kirchner 4:09.48
39. Dennis Chapman 4:10.71
69. Kaleb Sharp 4:28.74

4x400m Relay
15. Logan Lebo/Tyrell Pierce/Niko Schultz/Pradeep Senthilkumar 3:10.81