NU Invites Fans to Red vs. White Intrasquad Meet

Lincoln - Fans of the Nebraska track and field team will be able to get an early glimpse of the 2009 squad on Friday, Dec. 12, at 6 p.m. when the Huskers host their annual Red vs. White Intrasquad meet at the Devaney Center Indoor Track.

 

The meet is set to be fan friendly as children 12 and under will be able to get on the Huskers’ world-class track and run the 60 and 200 meters.

Following the meet, there will be Valentino’s pizza and Pepsi products for the first 200 fans to enjoy.  In addition, track and field athletes will be on hand after the meet for a meet and greet with fans and will sign autographs, free posters and schedule cards will be available for all in attendance.

 

Fan with any questions should visit Huskers.com or contact the Nebraska track and field office at 472-6461.

 

Meet Information
Event ? Red vs. White Intrasquad Meet
Where ? Devaney Center Indoor Track
When ? Friday, Dec. 12, 6 p.m.
Free to Kids - Children 12 and under have the opportunity to run the 60 and 200 meters
Free for all fans ? Free posters and schedule cards
Food - Free Pepsi and pizza for first 200 fans
Meet and Greet - Athletes will sign autographs following the meet

 

Meet Schedule
Running Events

6 p.m.  men’s 600-yard run

- to follow women’s 600-yard run

6:15 p.m. Kid’s 200-meter dash

6:30 p.m. men’s 200-meter dash

- to follow women’s 200-meter dash

7 p.m. men’s 60-meter hurdles

-  to follow women’s 60-meter hurdles

7:15 p.m. men’s 60-meter dash

- to follow women’s 60-meter dash

7:30 p.m. men’s 60-meter hurdles final

- to follow Kid’s 60-meter dash

8 p.m. men’s 4X400 relay

 - to follow women’s 4X400 relay

 

Field Events

6 p.m. men’s pole vault   

-to follow women’s pole vault          

6 p.m. women’s high jump

- to follow men’s high jump

6 p.m. men’s and women’s long jump

- to follow men's and women's triple jump
6 p.m. men’s and women’s weight throw

- to follow men’s and women’s shot put

 

2009 Husker Track and Field Preview
Women

The Nebraska women’s team returns a strong all-around squad in 2009 that posted runner-up finishes at the indoor and outdoor Big 12 Championships in 2008. Leading the 2009 team are Big 12 Champions Epley Bullock (indoor high jump) and Megan Wheatley (heptathlon). The Huskers return even more talent across the board with seven NCAA Championship qualifiers, including Bullock, Lara Crofford, Erin Hannon, Chantae McMillan, Wheatley, Natalie Willer and Natalja Callahan. 

 

The Huskers return their top three performers in 11 of 17 individual indoor events, including top performers in all but three events, with departed senior Sheryl Morgan posting the top time in the 400 meters and 600 yards while fellow senior Tamara Solari topped the 20-pound weight throw list. In the relays the Huskers return three of four spots on the 4x400-meter relay and the DMR, with Morgan being the lone departure.

 

“The women are a dedicated and hard-working group,” Head Coach Gary Pepin said. “We are a young team that will improve throughout the season.”

 

Outdoors the Huskers look as strong as ever, returning their top two performers in 17 of 20 events and their entire relay squad. The only event where the Big Red does not return its top performer is the javelin. Former Husker Kayla Wilkinson had a stellar season in 2008, winning her third Big 12 title and second NCAA All-America honor while also breaking her own school record in the javelin.

 

The women’s team will be in search of its eighth conference team title during the Big 12 era in 2009. The Huskers’ five indoor team titles are tied for the most in the conference with Texas, and three ahead of third-place Texas A&M’s two.

Men

The Nebraska men’s track and field team returns a wealth of talent in 2009. The squad will be led by NCAA All-Americans Lukas Hulett, Scott Wims and Dan Christensen, as well as NCAA Championship qualifiers Keith Lloyd, Paul Hamilton, Nicholas Gordon, LeRon Williams, Austin Braman, Adam Dailey, Lehann Fourie, Tyrell Ross and Skyler Reising.

 

Of the 17 individual events indoors, the Huskers return their top two performers in nine of the events, while returning either their No. 1 or No. 2 performer in every event except the 35-pound weight throw. Outdoors the Huskers bring back their top three performers in 11 of the 20 individual events, as well as their entire 4x100-meter relay and three members of the 4x400-meter relay.

 

The men’s team will be in search of its 14th conference team title during the Big 12 era in 2009. The men’s 13 team titles lead the conference, five more than Texas, which ranks second with eight team titles.

 

“Barring injuries or unforeseen difficulties our men should be in the hunt for conference titles and NCAA top-10 finishes,” Head Coach Gary Pepin said. “The team is young overall so the future at Nebraska is bright.”