Lincoln, NE (February 27, 2025) - After an indoor season of personal bests, top 50 national performances, and a slew of program top 10 marks, Nebraska Wesleyan track and field is set to compete at the 2025 American Rivers Conference championship meet.
A-R-C CHAMPIONSHIP MEET INFO
Host: Wartburg College
Date: Friday, February 28th - Saturday, March 1st.
Location: Hoover Fieldhouse | Waverly, Iowa
Start Time: 10:00 A.M.
ABOUT NEBRASKA WESLEYAN
This weekend will mark Nebraska Wesleyan's ninth appearance at the American Rivers Conference indoor championship meet. Nebraska Wesleyan won the women's title in 2017 and 2019. The Prairie Wolves enter the meet off of an impressive regular season that has seen multiple personal bests, NCAA top 50 performances, and program 10 marks. The Prairie Wolves competed at two meets last weekend, with running events staying in Lincoln to compete at the Nebraska Tune-Up, while all field events traveled west to Kearney for the Loper Tune-Up. On the track,
Steven Dalmeida,
Ghaith Taha, and
Austin Nauert all qualified for finals in the 60, while
Noah Smith continued to roll in the 60 meter hurdles.
Morgan Conner also continued to build momentum as he delivered a season best time in the 400 meter dash, while
Lucas Steuter,
Trevor Larson,
Coleman Keck,
Alex Ienn each went under 2:00 in the 800. On the women's side,
Rachel Smith and
Jadah Laughlin each delivered strong performances in the 60 meter hurdles, while
Raegan Levi and
Chloe Mooberry each set personal bests in the 400 meter dash.
Delaney Vacek but a bow on the meet with a season best time in the 800. Out west,
Emmilly Berglund stole the show with a massive 13.74 meter shot put. Not to be outdone,
Eric Lenz hit 60 feet in the weight throw for the second consecutive meet.
TOP 50 NATIONAL MARKS
WOMEN
Nebraska Wesleyan boasts four top 50 national performances. This includes
Ja'Dein Madison (27th) and
Kaelyn Means (31st) in the weight throw. Thrower
Emmilly Berglund sits 11th in shot put, while hurdler
Keeley Hourigan holds the 43rd 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 (10th) in shot put, and
Eric Lenz (13th and 41st), in weight throw and shot put. Fellow thrower
Colin Wojtkiewicz sits at 20th and 33rd 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 15th, and
Jacob Young holding serve at 45th. The men's 4x400 meter relay consisting of
Morgan Conner,
McClain Meyer,
Connor Plahn, and
Jackson Feauto, currently sits at 18th nationally.
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.
