LINCOLN, Neb. (February 18th, 2025) - After having a successful road trip to Brookings, South Dakota, last weekend, Nebraska Wesleyan looks to put the finishing touches on the 2024-25 indoor track and field regular season with a pair of tune up meets on Friday.
NEBRASKA TUNE UP
Host: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Date: Friday, February 21st
Location: Bob Devaney Sports Center | Lincoln, Nebraska
Start Time: 12:00 PM
LOPER TUNE UP
Host: University of Nebraska-Kearney
Date: Friday, February 21st
Location: Cushing Coliseum | Kearney, Nebraska
Start Time: 2:00 PM
ABOUT NEBRASKA WESLEYAN
This weekend will see Nebraska Wesleyan compete at its 10th and 11th meets of the season. The Prairie Wolves last competed at the SDSU Classic, where several athletes jumped up in the national rankings, climbed into a program top 10 chart and, or set a new personal best. On the men's side,
Eric Lenz broke the school record in the weight throw with a toss of 18.48 meters. On the track, the men's 4x400 meter relay consisting of
Morgan Conner,
McClain Meyer,
Connor Plahn, and
Jackson Feauto ran its fastest time of the season and currently sits in 12th nationally. On the women's side,
Emmilly Berglund tossed the eighth farthest shot put in school history.
TOP 50 NATIONAL MARKS
WOMEN
Nebraska Wesleyan boasts six top 50 national performances. This includes
Ja'Dein Madison (25th) and
Kaelyn Means (28th) in the weight throw. Thrower
Emmilly Berglund sits 16th in shot put, while senior pole vaulter
Emily Druse holds strong at 44th.
Natalie Cummins ranks 48th in long jump, and
Keeley Hourigan holds the 39th fastest 60 meter hurdle time in the country.
MEN
On the men's side, Nebraska Wesleyan has recorded nine top 50 performances. Starting with
Sam Clements (8th) in shot put, and
Eric Lenz (13th and 29th), in weight throw and shot put. Fellow thrower
Colin Wojtkiewicz sits at 16th and 27th in the shot put and weight throw.
Eli Mackowski currently sits at 18th nationally in high jump. On the track, Nebraska Wesleyan celebrates two hurdlers who rank in the top 50 with
Noah Smith checking in at 13th, and
Jacob Young holding serve at 37th. The men's 4x400 meter relay consisting of
Morgan Conner,
McClain Meyer,
Connor Plahn, and
Jackson Feauto, currently sits at 12th nationally.
PROGRAM TOP 10 MARKS
Last weekend produced three top 10 marks in school history.
Eric Lenz highlighted the effort by setting a new school record in the men's weight throw. His throw measured 18.48 meters.
Colin Wojtkiewicz also moved up the charts thanks to a 17.59 meter toss in the weight throw. Wojtkiewicz now sits at sixth all time. On the women's side
Emmilly Berglund's shot put of 13.53 meters puts her at eighth all time.
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.
