Thornton Hurdles into Husker History

Fayetteville, Ark. ? Nebraska track and field history was made Saturday afternoon at John McDonnell Field as senior Kirkland Thornton became the first Husker in school history to earn All-America honors in both the 110- and 400-meter hurdles at the same NCAA Championship meet.

 

After finishing fifth on Friday night in the 400-meter hurdles to complete the first half of his epic journey, Thornton returned on Saturday to finish eighth in the 110 hurdles.

 

Over the four-day meet, Thornton was the only hurdler in the entire meet running in both races, running six total races, including two races on both Thursday and Friday.

 

In the 110 hurdles, Thornton becomes the first Husker on the men’s side to earn All-America honors since David Davis Jr. in 2003. On Friday, Thornton became the first Husker on the men’s side to finish in the top eight in the 400 hurdles at the national meet since Mark Jackson also finished fifth 17 years ago in 1992.

 

Overall, five Huskers will come back to Lincoln with six All-America honors, including Nicholas Gordon (long jump), Bjorn Barrefors (decathlon), Epley Bullock (high jump), Seth Burney (pole vault) and Thornton (110 and 400 hurdles). In the team race, the Husker men tied for 17th with Mississippi State and Washington State, the team’s top finish since 2006 when they placed 14th in Sacramento. On the women’s side, the Huskers tied for 62nd.

 

Even though the collegiate season is now over, many Husker athletes will still be in competition this summer as they compete in junior and senior national meets, including the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Ore., on Jun 25-28. Check Huskers.com throughout the summer for coverage of all the meets.