Men's Track and Field 3/21/2026 9:46:00 AM

Track & Field Opens Outdoor Season with Strong Showing at USM Distance Festival

LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska Wesleyan track and field wasted no time making noise in the outdoor season, as the Prairie Wolves traveled to the annual USM Distance Festival on Friday and delivered a performance packed with promise from top to bottom.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The women's 3000m steeplechase served as an early highlight, with freshmen Madelyn McBratney and Aubrey Kipper both logging their first collegiate times in impressive fashion. McBratney led the way with a 12:28.68, good for fourth place overall, while Kipper was right behind at 12:36.46 in fifth. Fellow freshman Erin Chambers added a 12:58.40, and sophomore Grace Pyle rounded out the group with a 13:45.74.

Senior Avary Byers headlined the women's 5000m, clocking a collegiate-best 18:50.89 to place 13th in a loaded field, a strong statement from one of NWU's most experienced distance runners.

On the men's side, freshman Noah Thomas turned heads in his outdoor collegiate debut, racing to a fifth-place finish in the 5000m with a blistering 14:55.97. Sophomores Kyle Finney (10:02.74) and Cade Green (10:25.32) kept the energy going in the men's steeplechase, finishing eighth and 10th respectively. Freshmen Adam Lukert (10:33.38) and Aaron Robles (10:33.42) were nearly inseparable at the finish. Back in the 5000m, Lawson Tjardes (15:47.12), Dylan Lender (15:49.63) and Evan Brown (15:50.44) pushed each other through a tight cluster finish, while Jack Sinnott (15:59.71) and Brody Koos (16:25.73) both posted collegiate bests.