Nebraska Wesleyan University Athletics

Three-year letter winner Karen Oerter earned her spot as one of the best discus throwers in the nation from 1985-88. The North Platte native amassed the most All-America awards in team history for the discus.

Oerter made All-America in the discus as a first-year athlete, sophomore and senior and went on to place third at all three NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships in which she competed. Her name can also be found in the NWU all-time charts for both discus and javelin. Her toss of 149-8 in the discus is good enough for second place, just behind fellow hall of famer LuAnn Soderling (151-1). Oerter also ranks sixth in the javelin with a mark of 108-3.

As a first-year athlete, Oerter claimed Nebraska Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (NIAC) runner-up honors in the discus and placed third at the NAIA District 11 meet. She also led the nation in the discus (149-8) entering the NCAA Div. III Outdoor Championships that season. Oerter recorded the third best toss in NAIA District 11 as a sophomore and she helped the Plainswomen to a 29th-place outdoor national finish as a senior, Wesleyan’s highest team finish in her tenure.