Nebraska track and field heads to Ann Arbor, Mich. this week in the hunt for individual and team titles. With 11 Husker men and one relay ranked in the top five of the conference entering the weekend, they look to repeat as victors. The women also currently have 11 athletes and a relay ranked in the top five of the Big Ten as they work to improve upon last season’s third-place team finish. Action begins on Friday at 11 a.m. (CT) for combined events, 11:45 a.m. (CT) for field events and 4:35 p.m. (CT) for running events.
Big Ten Outdoor Championships
Date: May 10-12
Location: Ann Arbor, Mich. (U-M Track and Field Stadium)
Start Times (CT): Friday - Combined Events: 11 a.m. / Field Events: 11:45 a.m. / Running Events: 4:35 p.m.; Saturday - Combined Events: 8:30 a.m. / Field Events: 12:20 p.m. / Running Events: 3 p.m.; Sunday - Field Events: 10 a.m. / Running Events: 11:45 a.m.
Championship Central: Link
Live Stream Links: Friday Field / Friday Track / Saturday Field / Saturday Track / Sunday Field / Sunday Track
Big Ten Leaders
Athletes who finish in the top eight of an event at the Big Ten Indoor Championships will score team points. The Huskers currently have 22 individuals and two relays ranked in the top five of an event heading into the conference meet.
Men
Tyus Wilson, High Jump, 7-5 (2.26m), No. 1 Big Ten
Darius Luff, 110m Hurdles, 13.25, No. 1 Big Ten
4x400m Relay, 3:03.31, No. 1 Big Ten
Dash Sirmon, Javelin, 242-8 (73.97m), No. 2 Big Ten
Terrol Wilson, Triple Jump, 52-2 ½ (15.91m), No. 2 Big Ten
Micaylon Moore, Triple Jump, 52-1 (15.87m), No. 3 Big Ten
Tyler Brown, Javelin, 234-7 (71.50m), No. 3 Big Ten
Henry Zimmerman, Hammer, 223-4 (68.07m), No. 3 Big Ten
Brett Schwartz, Discus, 191-0 (58.22m), No. 4 Big Ten
Kevin Shubert, Shot Put, 63-2 ¼ (19.26m), No. 4 Big Ten
Niko Schultz, 800m, 1:47.40, No. 4 Big Ten
Brithton Senior, 110m Hurdles, 13.82, t-No. 5 Big Ten
Women
Rhema Otabor, Javelin, 193-11 (59.12m), No. 1 Big Ten
Axelina Johansson, Shot Put, 61-9 (18.82m), No. 1 Big Ten
Eniko Sara, Javelin, 177-11 (54.23m), No. 2 Big Ten
Mine De Klerk, Shot Put, 57-6 ½ (17.54m), No. 2 Big Ten
Rhianna Phipps, Triple Jump, 43-10 (13.36m), No. 3 Big Ten
Mirta Kulisic, Javelin, 175-3 (53.41m), No. 3 Big Ten
Kalynn Meyer, Discus, 188-11 (57.58m), No. 3 Big Ten
Ashley McElmurry, Triple Jump, 43-9 (13.33m), No. 4 Big Ten
Emanuela Casadei, Javelin, 175-0 (53.35m), No. 4 Big Ten
Amelia Flynt, Shot Put, 56-1 (17.09m), No. 4 Big Ten
Taya Skelton, 3000m Steeplechase, 10:25.00, No. 4 Big Ten
4x100m Relay, 44.97, No. 5 Big Ten
NCAA Leaders
Nebraska has 15 athletes and a relay that currently rank inside the top 20 of the NCAA in their respective events:
Rhema Otabor, Javelin, 193-11 (59.12m), No. 1 NCAA
Axelina Johansson, Shot Put, 61-9 (18.82m), No. 2 NCAA
Rhianna Phipps, Triple Jump, 43-10 (13.36m), No. 10 NCAA
Ashley McElmurry, Triple Jump, 43-9 (13.33m), t-No. 12 NCAA
Eniko Sara, Javelin, 177-11 (54.23m), No. 12 NCAA
Mine De Klerk, Shot Put, 57-6 ½ (17.54m), No. 13 NCAA
Mirta Kulisic, Javelin, 175-3 (53.41m), No. 14 NCAA
Emanuela Casadei, Javelin, 175-0 (53.35m), No. 15 NCAA
Kalynn Meyer, Discus, 188-11 (57.58m), No. 19 NCAA
Darius Luff, 110m Hurdles, 13.25, No. 1 NCAA
Tyus Wilson, High Jump, 7-5 (2.26m), No. 2 NCAA
Terrol Wilson, Triple Jump, 52-2 ½ (15.91m), No. 13 NCAA
Dash Sirmon, Javelin, 242-8 (73.97m), No. 14 NCAA
Micaylon Moore, Triple Jump, 52-1 (15.87m), No. 16 NCAA
4x400m Relay (Pierce, Kaalund, Schultz, Bryant), 3:03.31, No. 15 NCAA
Kevin Shubert, Shot Put, 63-2 ¼ (19.26m), No. 18 NCAA
All-Time Top-10 Performances
The following Huskers have either improved their marks or cracked the all-time top-10 outdoor charts at Nebraska this season:
Darius Luff, 110mH, 13.25, No. 1
Henry Zimmerman, Hammer Throw, 223-4 (68.07m), No. 2
Tyus Wilson, High Jump, 7-5 (2.26m), No. 5
Niko Schultz, 800m, 1:47.40, No. 6
Tyler Brown, Javelin, 234-7 (71.50m), No. 7
Kavian Kerr, 200m, 20.76, t-No. 10
Sprint Medley Relay (Pierce, Wilson, Bryant, Schultz), 3:17.26, No. 2
4x400m Relay (Pierce, Kaalund, Schultz, Bryant), 3:03.31, t-No. 3
Brynna McQuillen, 5000m, 16:13.75, No. 2
Hillevi Carlsson, Hammer Throw, 207-6 (63.25m), No. 2
Kalynn Meyer, Discus, 188-11 (57.58m), No. 3
Mine De Klerk, Shot Put, 57-6 ½ (17.54m), No. 4
Amelia Flynt, Shot Put, 56-1 (17.09m), No. 6
Mine De Klerk, Discus, 181-0 (55.17m), No. 6
Darby Thomas, 100m, 11.35, t-No.6
Berlyn Schutz, 1500m, 4:17.31, No. 7
Cammy Garabian, Hammer Throw, 202-4 (61.68m), No. 7
Ali Bainbridge, 5000m, 16:29.39, No. 8
Eniko Sara, Javelin, 177-11 (54.23m), No. 9
Rhianna Phipps, Triple Jump, 43-10 (13.36m), No. 9
Johanna Ilves, 100mH, 13.45, No. 9
Amelia Flynt, Discus, 177-2 (54.01m), No. 10
Ashley McElmurry, Triple Jump, 43-9 (13.33m), t-No. 10
Sprint Medley Relay (Deebom, A. Walker, M. Walker, Schutz), 3:48.54, No. 1
Huskers in the Polls
Nebraska track and field moved up seven spots in the USTFCCCA week three women's rankings, coming in at fourth. That marks the highest team ranking for the women's program since being No. 4 in the 2006 final poll. The Nebraska men entered the polls for the first time during the outdoor season on April 30. For the second consecutive week, both teams were ranked inside to top 25 in Tuesday’s week seven polls.
The NU women have posted nine marks inside the top-20 nationally, while adding 16 Nebraska all-time marks. The men have posted seven marks inside the top-20, while putting up eight all-time marks.
Rhema Otabor threw an NCAA-leading 193-11 (59.12m) at the Drake Relays, while Eniko Sara is 12th with a 177-11 (54.23m), Mirta Kulisic is ranked 14th with a 175-3 (53.41m) and Emanuela Casadei is at 15th in the event with a 175-0 (53.35m). Adding to the throws success, reigning national champion Axelina Johansson has the second-best shot put mark of the season after hitting the Olympic Standard at the Michael Johnson Invitational with a 61-9 (18.82m). Mine De Klerk is 13th in the shot put (57-6 ½, 17.54m) and Kalynn Meyer is 19th in the discus (188-11, 57.58m). In the triple jump, Rhianna Phipps is 10th with a 43-10 (13.36m) and Ashley McElmurry is tied for 12th with a 43-9 (13.33m).
On the men’s side, Darius Luff is the top-ranked 110m hurdler after he ran a blazing 13.25 at the Drake Relays to break his own school record. That time is also ranked fifth in the world currently. Tyus Wilson cleared the second-best height in the NCAA on April 26 with a 7-5 (2.26m) in the high jump. In the triple jump, Terrol Wilson is ranked 13th with a 52-2 ½ (15.91m) and Micaylon Moore is ranked 16th with a 52-1 (15.87m). Dash Sirmon is 14th in the javelin with a 242-8 (73.97m) and Kevin Shubert is 18th in the shot put with a 63-2 ¼ (19.26m). Tyrell Pierce, Garrett Kaalund, Niko Schultz and Nick Bryant teamed up to clock the 15th-fastest 4x400m relay time in the NCAA this season at the Drake Relays with a 3:03.31.
In Tuesday's polls, the Husker women were ranked first in the Big Ten Conference, while being named the top-ranked javelin and shot put squads in the country. They also are the No. 2 triple jump and No. 4 long jump and discus groups in the country. The men were ranked third in the Big Ten, second in the high jump, fourth in the hammer throw and fifth in the discus on Tuesday.
Luff, Wilson Secure Big Ten Weekly Honors
Nebraska track and field's Darius Luff was announced as the Big Ten Men's Track Athlete of the Week and Tyus Wilson was named the Big Ten Men's Field Athlete of the Week on Wednesday by the conference office.
Luff, a senior from Lincoln, Neb., flew to a 13.25 in the 110m hurdles on Saturday to win the pro division at the Drake Relays. That broke his own school record and put him at No. 1 in the NCAA. On top of his national and school ranking, that time is currently fifth in the world. He won the 110m hurdles at the Michael Johnson Invitational and Jim Click Shootout this season, while adding a runner-up finish at the Pepsi Florida Relays.
Wilson, from Sterling, Kan., cleared a personal-best 7-5 (2.26m) in the high jump to secure the Drake Relays title. That mark moved Wilson to No. 2 in the NCAA and No. 5 in school history. It also came near breaking the Drake Relays record. This was Wilson's second time competing this outdoor season, after winning the Michael Johnson Invitational with a height of 7-1 (2.16m).
This is Nebraska's third and fourth conference weekly award during the outdoor season and brings NU to nine overall in 2024.
Johansson Earns Big Ten Weekly Award
Nebraska track and field's Axelina Johansson earned the Big Ten Women's Field Athlete of the Week honor, announced on April 25 by the conference office.
Johansson hit the Olympic Standard in the shot put on her birthday (April 20). The 61-9 (18.82m) was the farthest mark in the shot put field at the Michael Johnson Invitational by over two meters. The distance improved upon her mark that is No. 2 in the NCAA and first in the Big Ten. Johansson won the shot put at the Jim Click Shootout on April 6.
Otabor Tabbed Big Ten Field Athlete of the Week
Nebraska track and field's Rhema Otabor claimed the Big Ten Women's Field Athlete of the Week honor, announced by the conference office on April 10.
Otabor threw an NCAA-leading mark in the javelin on Friday at the Jim Click Shootout to lead a Nebraska top-four sweep. The 191-10 (58.47m) is currently first in the NCAA and won her the title during her season debut. The senior from Nassau, Bahamas is the reigning NCAA Champion and Big Ten Champion in the javelin, while she also holds the No. 2 mark in school history.
This is Nebraska's first conference weekly award during the outdoor season, but its sixth overall during 2024. The last time a Husker woman won a Big Ten weekly award was when Otabor brought in the same honor last season on April 26.x
Nebraska's 2024 Big Ten Track & Field Weekly Awards
Jan. 17: Henry Zimmerman, Men's Field Athlete of the Week
Jan. 24: Henry Zimmerman, Men's Field Athlete of the Week
Feb. 7: Till Steinforth, Men's Field Athlete of the Week
Feb. 21: Brithton Senior, Men’s Track Athlete of the Week
Feb. 21: Micaylon Moore, Men’s Field Athlete of the Week
April 10: Rhema Otabor, Women's Field Athlete of the Week
April 25: Axelina Johansson, Women's Field Athlete of the Week
May 1: Darius Luff, Men's Track Athlete of the Week
May 1: Tyus Wilson, Men's Field Athlete of the Week
2024 Indoor Season Recap
The Husker men and women closed the indoor season inside the top 25, with the men tying for 12th and the women claiming 25th at the NCAA Championships. Out of 12 Husker entries, eight earned First-Team All-America honors by placing in the top eight.
Till Steinforth recorded his highest-career NCAA finish in the heptathlon to finish third, a day after becoming the first Husker to become a long jump First-Team All-American in the last decade with a seventh-place finish. The last Husker to place third or higher in the heptathlon at the NCAA Indoor Championships was Björn Barrefors in 2009. Tyus Wilson and Jenna Rogers each pitched in a top-eight finish in the high jump, while Micaylon Moore represented NU as a First-Team All-American in the triple jump. Rhianna Phipps placed fifth in the triple jump, Mine De Klerk took seventh in the shot put and Henry Zimmerman finished seventh in the weight throw to round out Nebraska’s First-Team All-Americans.
With Nebraska sending 11 athletes and 12 entries to the NCAA Championships, that marked the most athletes to qualify for the NCAA Indoor Championships since 2010 and the most entries since 2011.
At the Big Ten Championships, the Husker men finished second as a team, only four points behind Wisconsin. The women finished in eighth. Wilson (high jump), Moore (triple jump), Steinforth (long jump) and De Klerk (shot put) brought in Big Ten titles.
Zimmerman broke the weight throw school record on four occasions, while Berlyn Schutz broke the school record in the mile as a freshman. Altogether, 26 performances either broke into the all-time list for the first time or moved up the list during the indoor season.
2023 Outdoor Season Recap
Nebraska’s last outdoor season was marked by the men claiming the Big Ten title and the women finishing third. Both finishes were the best placements since the 2016 season. The team combined for 12 event titles throughout the meet. The women, powered by Axelina Johansson (shot put) and Rhema Otabor (javelin) bringing in NCAA titles, took eighth place at the NCAA Championships. That was the best finish since the 2006 season, when the Huskers tied for fourth. The men tied for 17th, their best team finish in seven years. The men and women combined for eight First-Team All-America honors, seven school records and 32 new top-10 marks throughout the outdoor season.