Huskers Secure Four Titles on Saturday at Michael Johnson Invite

Nebraska track and field earned four titles on Saturday at the Michael Johnson Invitational in Waco, Texas, while adding an Olympic Standard.

Axelina Johansson headlined a Nebraska top-four sweep in the shot put, hitting the Olympic Standard and setting a facility record at Clyde Hart Track & Field Stadium. The 61-9 (18.82m) was the best in the field by over two meters. Kalynn Meyer placed second with a 53-3 ¾ (16.25m), Amelia Flynt finished third with a 53-0 (16.15m) and Kellyn Kortemeyer took fourth with a 51-5 ¾ (15.69m).

Dash Sirmon won the men’s javelin with a toss of 237-11 (72.53m) during his season debut. The sophomore placed second at the Big Ten Championships and 13th at the NCAA Championships in the event during his freshman campaign. Tyler Brown threw a personal-best 234-7 (71.50m) to take second and break the all-time list for the first time, coming in at seventh. All three Huskers competing in the women’s javelin finished in the top five, with Mirta Kulisic throwing for 165-4 (50.41m) to take second. Eniko Sara placed third with a 164-2 (50.04m) and Emanuela Casadei placed fifth with a 156-6 (47.70m).

Darius Luff ran a season-best 13.41 in the 110m hurdles to take the title. The senior from Lincoln, Neb. has shaved off time each meet this season. Brithton Senior placed fourth with a 14.07 during his outdoor season debut.

Tyus Wilson cleared 7-1 (2.16m) in the men’s high jump to win the event, while Reid Nelson tied for fifth with a 6-7 (2.01m). Ashriel Dixon pitched in an eighth-place finish with a 6-7 (2.01m). Brooklyn Miller made it over the bar at 5-6 (1.68m) to tie for second in the women’s high jump.

Rhianna Phipps claimed second in the women’s triple jump with a distance of 42-2 (12.85m), while Lotavia Brown took fourth with a 41-10 3/4 (12.77m). Ashley McElmurry added a 41-2 ¼ (12.55m) to finish sixth. In the men’s triple jump, Terrol Wilson placed second with a leap of 52-2 ½ (15.91m) and Micaylon Moore took third with a distance of 50-10 ¾ (15.51m).

Bariborve Deebom led NU in the 100m hurdles with a 13th-place finish. She clocked a 14.25 during her first time running the race at the collegiate level. In the women’s 100m, Seven Hicks ran a 12.17 to place 27th, while Lorenzo Paissan ran a 10.79 in the men’s 100m to place 32nd.

Nick Bryant placed seventh in the men’s 400m and fourth among collegiate competitors with a time of 47.41. Tyrell Pierce added a ninth-place finish with a 47.52. Meghan Walker covered the track in 56.01, taking 15th in the women’s 400m.

The 4x400m relays and men’s shot put were canceled due to lightning in the area.
 
Next weekend, the Huskers will split between the Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa April 25-27 and the Prairie Wolf Invitational in Lincoln, Neb. on April 25.