Story by NU Athletic Communications
College Station, Texas - Nebraska track and field began its NCAA journey on Wednesday at the NCAA West Preliminary Round with five Huskers finishing top 12 in their respective events and punching tickets to the NCAA Championships.
Three Husker All-Americans in the javelin earned a spot in Eugene, Ore., as Keyshawn Strachan threw 76.97m (252-6) for first, Arthur Petersen was third (74.50m, 244-5) and Dash Sirmon finished sixth (72.28m, 237-2). Hayden Gorovitz placed 34th, throwing 62.12m (203-10).
Maxwell Otterdahl was the fourth Husker to secure a trip to the NCAA Championships, throwing 18.87m (61-11) in the shot put, for 11th, and Cade Moran was the fifth, finishing 12th (18.83m, 61-9 ½).
Kavian Kerr jumped a season-best 7.61m (24-11 ¾) in the men’s long jump but fell just short of qualifying for the NCAA Championships, placing 13th. In the 100m, Kerr placed 21st, clocking a 10.42.
In the pole vault, Dyson Wicker was 15th, clearing 5.17m (16-11 ½). Seth Schnakenberg threw the farthest hammer throw of his heat (62.66m, 205-7) but it was not enough to finish in the top 12 as he placed 23rd.
Three Nebraska men ran in the 800m, with Pradeep Senthilkumar leading the way in 27th (1:49.27), while Gabe Nash was 28th (1:49.28) and Niko Schultz ran 1:52.05 for 43rd. In the 400mH, freshman James Ledbetter clocked a 51.34 for 27th.
Up next, competition for the Husker women starts tomorrow in College Station with field events beginning at 10 a.m. (CT) and track events at 6 p.m. (CT).
NCAA West Prelims Results Day 1
Men’s Hammer Throw23. Seth Schnakenberg - 62.66m (205-7)
Men’s Javelin
1. Keyshawn Strachan - 76.97m (252-6)
3. Arthur Petersen - 74.50m (244-5)
6. Dash Sirmon - 72.28m (237-2)
34. Hayden Gorovitz - 62.12m (203-10)
Men’s Long Jump
13. Kavian Kerr - 7.61m (24-11 ¾)
Men’s Pole Vault
15. Dyson Wicker - 5.17m (16-11 ½)
Men’s Shot Put
11. Maxwell Otterdahl - 18.87m (61-11)
12. Cade Moran - 18.83m (61-9 ½)
Men’s 100m
21. Kavian Kerr - 10.42
Men’s 800m
27. Pradeep Senthilkumar - 1:49.27
28. Gabe Nash - 1:49.28
43. Niko Schultz - 1:52.05
Men’s 400mH
27. James Ledbetter - 51.34