Seward/Kearney, Neb. – The Pioneers took 15 athletes to Nebraska to get in two more meets to qualify for the 2025 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. What they ended up with was five personal bests, three B standard National qualifications and one school record.
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Representing the field events,
Jacob Creswell landed a personal best in the hammer throw to get the Pioneers revved up. Meanwhile, freshman
Olivia Young, exploded off the triple jump boards to claim a B standard at Nationals, a top twenty spot in the Nation which would automatically qualify her, and a personal best.
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On the track, beginning with the sprints,
Lance Jones strode over the 110 meter hurdles to perfection to hit his personal record, grab a B standard qualifying mark, and land just out of the top ten in the Nation at eleventh.
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In the open 400 meter dash,
Elijah Bergin was able to end his individual season with a personal best, breaking the 50 second mark for the first time.
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Moving up to the 800 meter run,
Alex Gere finished her 800 season with a personal best, only 0.20 seconds from the elusive B standard qualifying mark.
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In the relays, the 4x800 team of
Ray Kosgei,
TJ Bessmer,
Bret Bourquin, and
Zack Jones were their own competition with no one to push them. They responded incredibly well, running their own races to grab a B standard qualifying mark and the school record.
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Overall, a great job by the Pioneers to end the qualifying season and get ready for Nationals.
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