Big Red Conclude Regional With 19 National Qualifiers

The Nebraska track and field team racked up 19 qualifiers for the NCAA Championships at the Western Regional Qualifiers over the past four days.

Kelsie Belquist broke Linetta Wilson’s (1985-1989) 37-year-old record of 55.38 in the 400mH, circling the track in 55.24 to qualify for outdoor nationals. 

In the final event of the meet, Sakena Massiah, Abrielle Artley, Victoria Aransiola and Kelsie Belquist ran their way to school record in the women’s 4x400m relay, crossing the line in 3:28.40 to secure the final Husker bid to the outdoor championships.

Karsyn Leeling and Ela Velepec both soared over the bar at 1.87m (6-1 ½) in the women’s high jump to punch their tickets to Tracktown. For Velepec, the mark was a personal best and the sixth-best jump in school history. 

Sophomore Ava Goetz set a double PR in the women’s high jump, clearing 1.81m (5-11 ¼) and 1.84m (6-0 ½) to move into 10th all-time. EJ Brown cleared a personal best of her own with a mark of 1.81m (5-11 ¼).

In the women’s discus, senior Amelia Flynt threw 54.41m (178-6) for the 12th-best mark in the region and to secure her bid to outdoor nationals in June.  

In the women’s 4x100m, Elo Blessing Okpah, Rajer Gurode, Victoria Aransiola and Timeke-Jade Coetzee ran the Big Red to the tenth-fastest time in the region (44.42) to earn their spot at nationals. 

NU will be back in action at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships June 10-13 in Eugene, Oregon.