Huskers Sweep Triple Jump Titles at Kansas Relays

Lawrence, Kan. - The Nebraska track and field team returned to the track on Friday for the third day of the 2012 Kansas Relays at Memorial Stadium. The day was highlighted by a Husker sweep of the triple jump titles.

Mara Griva led the Huskers as she posted a mark of 41-5 3/4 (12.64) in the women's triple jump for first-place. Anna Weigandt followed with a jump of 41-4 1/2 (12.61), setting a personal-best mark. Patrick Raedler won the men's triple jump with a personal-best mark of 51-10 (15.80), while Chris Phipps followed in second with a jump of 51-8 1/4 (15.75). Bobby Carter took sixth with a leap of 47-10 1/2 (14.59).

Marusa Cernjul finished with a leap of 5-8 3/4 (1.75) in the women's high jump, taking second-place. Jillanna Scanlan followed with a jump of 5-7 (1.70) to finish fourth. Both marks tied their season-best jumps. Nate Polacek finished third in the men's pole vault, recording a mark of 17-2 3/4 (5.25).

In the throws, Annie Jackson finished in second place in the shot put with a mark of 50-10 (15.49), while Veronica Grizzle finished third with a throw of 50-6 3/4 (15.41). Carlie Pinkelman posted a top-10 finish, recording a mark of 48-10 3/4 (14.90).

Luke Pinkelman posted a shot put of 60-10 (18.54), finishing second. Tyler Hitchler posted a fourth-place finish with a season-best throw of 56-6 1/2 (17.23), while Chad Wright finished fourth with a season-best mark of 56-5 1/4 (17.20).  Taylor Shapland also notched a top-10 finish, recording a season-best throw of 53-1 1/2 (16.19).

Qualifying for the finals on Saturday, Mara Weekes recorded a personal-best-tying time of 11.69 in the women's 100 meters. Tim Thompson advanced on the men's side, producing a personal-best time of 10.42 for third. Dexter McKenzie finished first in the 200 meters, recording a personal-best time of 21.32. Thompson followed his lead with a third-place finish and a time of 21.61.

The Huskers saw Mila Andric, Ellie Grooters and Rachel Butler finish fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively in the 400 meter hurdles, moving on to Saturdays finals. Miles Ukaoma posted a second-place finish in the men's 400 meter hurdles. Andric advanced in the 100 meter hurdles, with a time of 14.01 for third-place, as Ukaoma advanced in the 110 meter hurdles with a personal-best first-place time of 14.31.

The women's 4x100 meter relay team of Breunna McCarty, Weekes, Greta Kerekes and Monique Lewis took sixth and qualified for the event finals with a time of 46.98. The men's team of Thompson, McKenzie, Carter and Phipps also advanced with a time of 40.81. In the 4x400 meter relays, the women's team of Butler, Andjelkovic, Lewis and Weekes advanced with a third-place finish and a time of 3:48.53, while the men's team of Jodi-Rae Blackwood, Ukaoma, London Hawk and McKenzie also advanced and finished third with a time of 3:17.41.

Huskers Advancing to Saturday Finals

Women's 100 Meters
Mara Weekes (11.69)

Men's 100 Meters
Tim Thompson (10.42)

Men's 200 Meters
Dexter McKenzie (21.32)
Tim Thompson (21.61)

Women's 100 Hurdles
Mila Andric (14.01)

Men's 110 Hurdles
Miles Ukaoma (14.31)

Women's 400 Hurdles
Mila Andric (1:01.10)
Ellie Grooters (1:01.64)
Rachel Butler (1:02.04)

Men's 400 Hurdles
Miles Ukaoma (51.78)

Women's 4x100 Meter Relay
McCarty, Weekes, Kerekes, Lewis (46.98)

Men's 4x100 Meter Relay
Thompson, McKenzie, Carter, Phipps (40.81)

Women's 4x400 Meter Relay
Butler, Andjelkovic, Lewis, Weekes (3:48.53)

Men's 4x400 Meter Relay
Blackwood, Ukaoma, Hawk, McKenzie (3:17.41)