OMAHA, Neb. — The Perkins County boys and the Dundy County-Stratton boys and girls dominated the field at the Nebraska School Activities Association Class C and Class D State Track and Field Championships, held this past weekend at Omaha Burke Stadium.
The Perkins County boys secured the Class C state title behind a commanding distance performance led by Mason McGreer, who won the 1600-meter (4:20.92) and 3200-meter (9:21.17) runs and took second in the 800-meter. Teammate Elijah Goodell added runner-up finishes in both the 1600 and 3200, while the team’s 4x800 relay also grabbed silver. The North Platte St. Patrick’s boys took third overall, powered by Jaxon Knisley’s gold in the 110 hurdles (14.11) and strong mid- and long-distance showings from Coltan Ham.
In Class D, Dundy County-Stratton swept both team titles. The boys, led by Laken Wissink’s sprint double (100m in 11.07, 200m in 21.87) and Brock Bailey’s dominance in the throws (first in shot put and discus), were nearly untouchable. They also claimed gold in the 4x100 relay and placed third in the 4x400.
On the girls’ side, Dundy County-Stratton captured its first-ever state championship in any sport. Clara Spargo swept the sprints (100m, 200m, and 400m) while her sister, Abigael Spargo, contributed a win in the 300 hurdles and runner-up finishes in the 100 hurdles and 400. Kennedy Bailey completed the field events sweep with victories in both the shot put and discus.
Other notable performances included:
- Addison Richards of Maywood-Hayes Center finishing fourth in the Class D girls 800m (2:23.13), while teammate Caylie Softley added top-10 finishes in the 800 and 1600. The girls’ 4x400 and 4x800 relays both won gold for the Wolves.
- Ashley Robertson of Wallace won the Class D girls 1600m (5:20.24) and took second in the 3200m (11:39.12).
- Jackson Saner of Sutherland cleared 13-06.00 to place second in the Class D boys pole vault.
- Kael Garrett of Medicine Valley won the Class D 1600m (4:35.37) and placed third in the 800m and second in the 3200m.
- Peyton Paxton of Mullen finished 8th in the 1600 and 5th in the 3200, while teammate Riley Hegland took 8th in the 3200 and 13th in the 1600.
In Class C field events, Michael Salinas of Hershey claimed fifth in the shot put (54-08.50), while Logan Dodson of North Platte St. Pat’s took third in the same event.
Though many athletes didn’t reach the podium, schools across western Nebraska made their mark in Omaha. Brady’s Taryn Stearns placed eighth in the Class D girls shot put, while Addison Frederick of Hershey was fourth in Class C girls discus. Paxton’s Reece Glinn placed fifth in the girls shot put as well.
The championships not only showcased individual brilliance but also historic team milestones, most notably for Dundy County-Stratton, whose double gold sweep will go down as one of the meet’s defining stories.