Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Brady Land
Kimball native Brady Land was one of three members of the indoor track and field team at the University of Nebraska-Kearney to qualify for the 2015 NCAA Division II Indoor track championships to be held March 13-14 in Birmingham, Ala.
The meet will take place at the Birmingham CrossPlex. The CrossPlex and the University of Alabama Huntsville will serve as co-hosts.
Land, a senior from Kimball, ranks third in the long jump thanks to his school record leap of 25-0.75. Only Lutalo Boyce of Texas A&M-Kingsville (25-7.25) and Chadron State freshman Damarcus Simpson (25-4.50) had a better jump this regular season. Land will compete at 5:05 p.m. on Friday, March 13.
Lincoln senior Dillon Schrodt leads the way as he ranks second nationally in the heptathlon with 5,429 points. Pittsburg State freshman Tanner McNutt (5,438) had the highest point total in a meet this season with three other MIAA men also qualifying in this event.
Schrodt is a two-time indoor All-American, finishing seventh in the hep in 2013 (7th/5,185) and third in 2014 (3rd/5,336).
Finally, Rushville sophomore Cole Wellnitz ranks 14th in the mile at 4:08.96. Adams State senior Matt Adams leads the country (3:59.89) with the eighth fastest time belonging to Wuoi Mach of Michigan's Grand Valley State (4:07.75).
A top eight finish is good for All-American honors. Spencer Huff ('08) is UNK's only D2 indoor All-American in the long jump while no Loper runner has earned that honor in the mile.
Below is when UNK's qualifiers compete:
Friday, March 13
Schrodt, first three heptathlon events (9:45 a.m.).
Wellnitz, mile preliminaries (4:45 p.m.).
Land, long jump finals (5:05 p.m.).
Saturday, March 14
Schrodt, Last three heptathlon events (9:00 a.m.).
Wellnitz, mile finals (4:25 p.m.).