LINCOLN, Neb. (January 30th, 2025) - After hosting the Prairie Wolf Invite last week, Nebraska Wesleyan track and field heads to Crete, for the Fred Beile Classic.
FRED BEILE CLASSIC
Host: Doane University
Date: Saturday, February 1st
Location: Fuhrer Field House | Crete, Nebraska
Start Time: 11:00 AM
ABOUT NEBRASKA WESLEYAN
Saturday will see Nebraska Wesleyan compete at its sixth meet of the season. The Prairie Wolves have delivered several impressive performances, highlighted by 15 top 50 national marks and eight program top 10 placements. Nebraska Wesleyan last competed at the Prairie Wolf Invite, where several athletes had breakout performances. This includes
McClain Meyer, who set a new personal best of 49.97 while winning the 400 meter dash, while
Eli Etherton had the fastest preliminary time in the 60 meter hurdles. Freshman
Payton Jorczak placed third in the 5000 meter run while running a new personal best time of 19:52.06, while
Rachel Smith took fourth in the 60 meter hurdles. In the field,
Sam Clements 15.88 meter shot put earned him second while
Kaelyn Means earned fourth in the weight throw.
TOP 50 NATIONAL MARKS
WOMEN
Nebraska Wesleyan boasts seven top 50 national performances. This includes
Kaelyn Means (19th) and
Ja'Dein Madison (37th) in the weight throw. Madison also ranks 42nd in shot put. Emmilly Burgland joins Madison in the top 50, holding strong at 19th. Senior
Emily Druse ranks 41st in pole vault. On the track,
Keeley Hourigan holds the 26th fastest 60 meter hurdle time in the country. The women's 4x400 meter relay consisting of
Natalie Cummins,
Keeley Hourigan,
Raegan Levi, and
Chloe Mooberry currently sits at 24th nationally.
MEN
On the men's side, Nebraska Wesleyan has recorded eight top 50 performances. This includes
Jackson Feauto (49th) in the 800,
Sam Clements (14th) in shot put, and
Eric Lenz (29th and 27th), in shot put and weight throw. Nebraska Wesleyan boasts three hurdlers who rank in the top 50 with
Noah Smith checking in at sixth,
Eli Etherton following at seventh, and
Tanner Johnson holding serve at 49th. The men's 4x400 meter relay consisting of
Morgan Conner,
McClain Meyer,
Jackson Feauto, and
Austin Nauert currently sits at 12th nationally.
PROGRAM TOP 10 MARKS
Through five meets, Nebraska Wesleyan has posted eight program top 10 performances. On the women's side this includes
Jadah Laughlin (10th) in the 300,
Keeley Hourigan (7th) in the 60 meter hurdles,
Emily Druse (4th) in pole vault,
Kaelyn Means (7th) in the weight throw, and
Delaney Vacek (7th) in the 1000. On the men's side,
Noah Smith holds the second fastest 60 meter hurdle time in school history, while
Tanner Johnson ranks ninth in the same event.
McClain Meyer broke into the top 10 in the 200 meter dash.
DIRECTOR OF TRACK & FIELD AND CROSS COUNTRY DERRICK MCKENZIE PROFILE
Derrick McKenzie is in his second season as the Director of Track & Field and Cross Country at Nebraska Wesleyan. In his 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.
