Huskers Announce Nine Additions to Track and Field Program

Interim head coach Justin St. Clair announced the addition of nine student-athletes to the Nebraska track and field program on Tuesday.
 
Representing four different states and two countries, the nine additions are made up of six high school signees and three transfers from Kansas State totaling 14 state championships, a second-team All-American performance and a bronze medal at the World U20 Championships.
 
“I’m really excited about the group of nine student-athletes we have coming in,” said St. Clair. “They will be able to make an impact and provide depth to their respective event groups while helping us continue to build the success of the Nebraska track and field program moving forward. Each of these signees will help us on the track, but they will be great students in the classroom and community as well.”
 
Rhianna Phipps arrives in Lincoln as a second-team All-American in triple jump from Kansas State. Phipps placed 12th at the NCAA Indoor Championships in 2021 to earn All-American status while also qualifying and placing 17th in the triple jump at the 2021 NCAA Outdoor Championships. Velecia Williams also joins the Huskers from K-State after placing sixth in the long jump at the Big 12 Outdoor Championships and finishing 17th at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in 2022.
 
On the men’s side, the Huskers welcome a World U20 bronze medalist long jumper in Kavian Kerr. Kerr placed fourth in the 200m and long jump at the 2022 Big 12 Indoor Championships last season at K-State. Max Herman joins the Big Red as the sixth-ranked thrower in the weight throw and a state champion in the discus.
 
Women
Ali Bainbridge – Distance – Sioux Falls, S.D. (Lincoln High School)
– 1600m: 4:58.33   3200m: 10:34.64   5K (XC): 17:10.7
– Two-time South Dakota state champion
 
Rhianna Phipps – Jumps – St. Thomas, Jamaica (Kansas State)
– Long Jump: 20-1.75   Triple Jump: 44-4.25
– Second-Team All-American
 
Hayley Trotter – Distance – Clearwater, Kan. (Clearwater High School)
– 800m: 2:12   1600m: 5:08.13   5K (XC): 18:43
– Five-time Kansas state champion
 
Velecia Williams – Jumps – Bybrook, Jamaica (Kansas State)
– Long Jump: 21-0.75   Triple Jump: 42-8.25
– NCAA Outdoor Championships qualifier
 
Men
Max Herman – Throws – Marietta, Ga. (Marietta High School)
– Weight Throw: 77-2.75   Hammer Throw: 209-2   Discus: 174-5
– Georgia state champion (discus)
– Ranked No. 6 in U.S. (weight throw)
  
Kavian Kerr – Jumps/Sprints – St. Catherine, Jamaica (Kansas State)
– Long Jump: 25-11   200m: 20.99
– World U20 Bronze medalist in long jump
– Placed fourth at 2022 Big 12 Indoor Championships (long jump, 200m)
 
Kael Miedema – Throws – Sioux Falls, S.D. (Washington High School)
– Shot Put: 62-3.75   Discus: 190-10.25
– South Dakota state champion (shot put, discus)
 
Gabe Nash – Mid-Distance – Sioux City, Iowa (Sioux City North High School)
– 800m: 1:51.23   1600m: 4:18.52
– 800m Iowa state champion
 
Jeremiah Smith – Sprints – Topeka, Kan. (Shawnee Heights High School)
– 100m: 10.27   200m: 21.25
– Three-time Kansas state champion
– Ranked No. 8 in U.S. (100m)