LINCOLN, Neb. (December 11, 2024) - With a full offseason of training behind them, Nebraska Wesleyan Track & Field is poised to begin the highly anticipated 2024-25 season.
2024 IN REVIEW
INDOOR SEASON
Nebraska Wesleyan participated in 11 indoor meets during the 2024 campaign. Throughout nine regular-season competitions, the Prairie Wolves shattered several school records and had multiple athletes on the cusp of qualifying for nationals. As the season progressed into championship territory, many team members rose to the occasion.
At the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) Indoor Championship, Isabella Hogue (400m) and Eli Etherton (60m hurdles) both claimed gold and set school records. The Prairie Wolves delivered across the board at the championship meet, with 17 top-four finishes contributing to fifth-place team standings for both the men and women.
Several athletes pushed through at the Wartburg Qualifier, earning coveted nationals berths. Colin Wojtkiewicz, Eli Mackowski, and the women's 4x400m relay team of Bre Geary, Isabella Hilger, Gabby Thomas, and Isabella Hogue joined qualifiers Eli Etherton, Morgan Conner, and Natalie Cummins at the NCAA Championships.
NWU's nationals showing was strong, with three athletes earning All-American honors:
OUTDOOR
As the competition moved outdoors, the Prairie Wolves continued their streak of excellence. School records fell throughout a 10-meet schedule, culminating in NWU hosting the 2024 A-R-C Outdoor Championship.
Several athletes rose to the occasion, with gold medal performances from:
Seven Prairie Wolves earned All-Conference honors, with the women finishing fourth and the men fifth. The team sent ten athletes to nationals, including six women (Hogue, Kiarra Fennell, Hilger, Geary, Cummins, and Decker) and four men (Etherton, Conner, Mackowski, and Wojtkiewicz).
At the NCAA Championships, Avery Decker took runner-up honors in the javelin, while the women's 4x400m relay (Geary, Hilger, Cummins, and Fennell) earned All-American honors with a second-place finish. The season wrapped up with 58 athletes named to the A-R-C Academic All-Conference list.
2024 SCHEDULE INFORMATION
The Prairie Wolves are set to compete in 14 indoor meets and 13 outdoor meets this season.
The indoor season kicks off on Friday, Dec. 13, with athletes heading to the Husker Holiday Open or the UNK Pre-Holiday Classic. After a holiday break, NWU resumes action in mid-January with the Graduate Classic and Polar Dog Invite. Key dates include:
- Jan. 24: Prairie Wolf Indoor Invite (hosted at NWU)
- Feb. 28-Mar. 1: A-R-C Indoor Championship (hosted by Wartburg College)
- Mar. 14-15: NCAA Division III Indoor Championships (Rochester, NY)
The outdoor season begins with the USM Distance Festival on March 21, followed by the team's full outdoor debut at the Thrills in the Hills meet. Other notable dates include:
- Apr. 11: Annual Doane-NWU Dual (Crete, NE)
- Apr. 24: Prairie Wolf Outdoor Invite (Lincoln, NE)
- May 8-10: A-R-C Outdoor Championship (hosted by Simpson College)
- May 22-24: NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships
DIRECTOR OF TRACK & FIELD AND CROSS COUNTRY DERRICK MCKENZIE PROFILE
Derrick McKenzie will enter his second season as the Director of Track & Field and Cross Country at Nebraska Wesleyan. In hist first year, Nebraska Wesleyan had 14 NCAA qualifying performances, five NCAA All-Americans, and two National Runner Ups. The Prairie Wolves also won six individual conference championships and broke numerous school records. Prior to being named Director of Track & Field and Cross Country, McKenzie served as an assistant coach at NWU, where he coached sprints and relays.
NEBRASKA WESLEYAN ROSTER BREAKDOWN
The Prairie Wolves return seven national qualifying athletes from last years team. This includes Eli Mackowski, who earned runner up in high jump at the 2024 indoor national championship meet, and Avery Decker, who secured second at the 2024 outdoor national championship meet, along with All Americans Natalie Cummins, Kiarra Fennell, and Eli Etherton. The Prairie Wolves return a large number of athletes from last year's team that look to improve upon their performances during the 2024-25 season. The Black and Gold also added 52 newcomers in the 2028 recruiting class.
DIRECTOR OF TRACK & FIELD AND CROSS COUNTRY DERRICK MCKENZIE COMMENTS
"We are very excited about our roster this year." Says McKenzie, "With over 120 athletes in our program, we have a very deep and talented group, that includes athletes who have won NCAA National Titles, earned NCAA All-American status, and competed a high level." McKenzie noted that "competition throughout the fall semester has been present" and that he "expects continued success at the conference, national, and academic level."
McKenzie also discussed the team's culture saying "Every year new athletes step out of the shadows and continue to find success. That is the culture that surrounds our team and I love it. I can't wait for the mix of upperclassmen and freshman in our program. We have some young athletes that will open up eyes very quickly, and elders of the group who are ready to take their abilities to the next level."
McKenzie added that "For our first couple meets we really focus on having fun and getting our feet wet within the competition realm. What we do in training we are confident in and as we go throughout the season, the conference and national marks will be present. Just stay the course, have fun, and compete to our absolute best of our abilities."
FIRST MEETS
Nebraska Wesleyan's first meets of the 2024-25 season will take place on Friday, December 13th, with members of the team going to either the Husker Holiday Open, or the UNK Pre-Holiday Classic.
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