Huskers Produce Big Day at Musco Twilight

Iowa City, Iowa - The Nebraska track and field team picked up 10 event wins at Iowa's Musco Twilight on Saturday. The meet included four Big Ten conference foes: Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin, as well as Iowa State and Northern Iowa.

The Husker men had four of the top five long jumpers on Saturday. Nikita Pankins posted a mark of 24-5 1/2 (7.45m) to win the event. It was his best effort of the outdoor season. Caleb Cowling was second, matching his PR of 24-3 1/2 (7.40). Jerry Westerfield (24-1, 7.34m) and Noah Gabel (PR 23-10 1/4, 7.27m) were fourth and fifth, respectively.

The men's high jump is shaping up to be a strong event again for the Husker men heading into the Big Ten Outdoor Championships in two weeks. James White cleared 7-2 1/4 (2.19m) to win the event and take the lead in the Big Ten. Landon Bartel jumped 7-0 1/2 (2.15m) to take second in the event and move into a tie with teammate Grant Anderson for third in the Big Ten, giving the Huskers three of the top four men's high jumpers in the conference.

Peter Spinks won the 3,000-meter Steeplechase with a personal-best time of 9:12.39, nearly 40 seconds faster than his previous best time. Jordan Stiens captured the women's 100-meter hurdles title in 13.74. Jacob Bender was the 400-meter champion, running a time of 47.03. Anna Peer won the 3,000 meters with a personal-best time of 9:40.18. 

Will Lohman was the shot put winner with a throw of 60-1 1/4 (18.32m), beating a field stacked with Big Ten competitors. Paula Andrie won the pole vault with a mark of 13-3 3/4 (4.06m). Reka Czuth claimed the women's high jump title with a leap of 5-10 (1.78m).

Ellie Ewere won the women's triple jump, leaping 42-1 1/4 (12.83m). Mollie Gribbin (40-9, 12.42m), Angela Mercurio (40-7 3/4, 12.39m) and Danielle Jones (39-6, 12.04m) took third, fourth and fifth, respectively. 

In other action, Alex Meyer was the runner-up in the women's discus, notching a personal-best throw of 173-1 3/4 (52.77m), a mark that ranks seventh in Husker history. Tierra Williams took second in the long jump (20-0 1/4, 6.10m), while Czuth was third (19-9 3/4, 6.04m). 

Matt Gilbert was second in the 3,000-meter Steeplechase, finishing in 9:24.20, also a personal best behind Spinks. Grace Geiger (PR 11:28.29), Katrina Santiago (PR 11:31.21) and Kristiana Oslund (11:32.55) finished 2-3-4 in the women's 3,000-meter Steeplechase. Geiger and Santiago moved to Nos. 9 and 10, respectively, in NU history. 

Marusa Cernjul was second in the high jump at 5-8 3/4 (1.75m). Carlie Pinkelman (52-8, 16.05m) and Tristen Sharp (51-8 1/4, 15.75m) both set season bests in the shot put to finish second and third, respectively. 

Melanie Blum was third in the pole vault with a PR 12-11 3/4 (3.96m). Lohman was third in the men's hammer throw at 212-8 1/4 (64.82). Levi Gipson was third in the 400 meters in 47.29. Sean Pille claimed third in the 400m hurdles (51.90), and Nick Percy placed third among collegiate athletes in the discus with a throw of 180-2 (54.91m).

The women's 4x400 relay (Shawnice Williams, Haley Harsin, Kari Heck, Desiree Sanders) took second with a time of 3:46.80.

The Musco Twilight will air on a tape delay Sunday, May 10 at 11 a.m. (CT). The Huskers are back in action next Saturday with the final home meet of the season, the Nebraska Invitational.