Gordon Flies in Fayetteville

Fayetteville, Ark. - The Nebraska track and field team competed in its first road meet of the season on Friday during the first-day of the Razorback Invitational. Nicholas Gordon highlighted the night by becoming the third Husker in 2011 to add his name to the NCAA Indoor Championship field.

Gordon led three Huskers in the top five of the men's long jump with an NCAA automatic-qualifying leap of 26-0. The senior cleared the mark on his third attempt of the event and then passed on his final three tries. Gordon was directly followed by Chris Phipps and Bobby Carter, who each posted season-best jumps of 25-3 ½ and 25-0 ¾, respectively.

Luke Pinkelman continued his dominance in the shot put with a personal-best toss of 64-0 ¼, as he was the only thrower in the field to clear 60 feet. The Cozad, Neb., native now ranks No. 2 in the nation and already qualified for the NCAA Indoor Championships after tossing 63-6 ¼ during the season's opening weekend.

Amanda Latsch and Annie Jackson also set personal bests in the women's shot put. Latsch took fourth with a throw of 51-11, topping her through of 51-10 from last week's adidas Classic, while Jackson finished seventh with a throw of 49-3 ½.

The NU distance runners nearly pulled a sweep of the 5,000 meters, as Jesse Adams won the men's race while Lara Crofford finished second on the women's side. Adams ran one of the best races of his career as he smashed his previous best of 15:32.81 with a time of 14:53.68. Crofford came close to her PR of 16:28.84 with a time of 16:36.95.

The DMR team of Ashley Miller, Ellie Grooters, Brooke Dinsdale and Jessica Furlan ended the night on the track for the Huskers with a third-place time of 11:29.94.

The Husker will return to the Randal Tyson Track Center tomorrow for the second day of the Razorback Invitational.