Latimer Sets School Record at Graduate Classic

Making her Husker debut, Taylor Latimer set a school record in the weight throw on the first day of the Graduate Classic on Friday. Latimer placed second with a school record mark of 68-0 1/2 (20.74m) that leads the Big Ten and ranks second nationally this season.

Following Latimer, Marika Spencer finished third (60-4 3/4, 18.41m) and Axelina Johansson placed fourth (59-1 1/4, 18.01m). Lexi Vertin had an eighth-place finish with a mark of 54-4 3/4 (16.58m).

On the men’s side, Alex Talley won the weight throw for the second time this season with a launch of 70-6 1/4 (21.49m). Maxwell Otterdahl finished runner-up with a throw of 67-6 3/4 (20.59m), which moves him into seventh nationally on the year and seventh all-time in school history. Zach Morrison completed the 1-2-3 sweep for the Huskers with the seventh-best mark in the Big Ten this season at 65-1 1/2 (19.85m).

LaQwasia Stepney was crowned the long jump champion a leap of 19-8 3/4 (6.01m), which ranks eighth nationally and second in the Big Ten this season. Darby Thomas placed runner-up with the third-best mark in the Big Ten (19-8, 5.99m). Zionn Pearson jumped 19-0 3/4 (5.81m) to place fourth and move into seventh in the Big Ten this season, while Favour Wanjoku placed seventh (18-3 1/4, 5.57m) and Sandy Leybold finished eighth (17-8, 5.38m).

The Huskers posted a 1-2-3-4 sweep in the long jump for the men. Clayton Keys placed first with a jump of 24-9 1/4 (7.55m), ranking him fifth nationally and first in the Big Ten. Michael Hoffer moved into second in the Big Ten and sixth in the country with his runner-up finish (24-8 1/2, 7.53m). Till Steinforth finished third in the long jump with a leap of 24-7 (7.49m), while Micaylon Moore posted a mark of 24-5 1/2 (7.45m) to complete the 1-2-3-4 sweep.

Nebraska had three of the top-four finishes in the women’s pole vault, led by Jessica Gardner’s win with a clearance of 12-11 1/2 (3.95m). Andy Jacobs placed third with a height of 12-5 1/2 (3.80m), followed by Maddie Holland in fourth with a clearance of 11-5 3/4 (3.50m).

In the men’s high jump, Hoffer cleared 7-0 1/4 (2.14m) to grab the high jump title and move into first in the Big Ten and fifth in the nation. Mayson Conner finished fourth with a height of 6-9 3/4 (2.08m), followed by Tyus Wilson (6-9 3/4, 2.08m) and Reid Nelson (6-8 1/4, 2.04m) in fifth and sixth, respectively.

Kayla Hugg won the 400m with the seventh-fastest time in the Big Ten this season at 56.63. Karlie Moore clocked a 58.37 to place third in the 400m. On the men’s side, Cory Berg finished fifth in the 400m with a run of 49.85.

Lindsey Blehm covered the track in 5:04.98 to finish runner-up in the mile, while Brynna McQuillen placed sixth with a run of 5:19.38. Nieve Walsh made her Husker debut with a time of 3:03.40 to place fourth in the 1000m.

Hannah Godwin and Taya Skelton finished back-to-back in second and third-place with runs of 9:56.25 and 10:24.95, respectively. Audrey Freyhof ran a 10:47.69 to place eighth for the Big Red. On the men’s side, Bailey Timmons ran an 8:33.33 to finish runner-up and move into sixth in the Big Ten, while Ryan Eastman clocked an 8:50.51 to place sixth.

Elizabeth Robertson wrapped up Friday night’s action for the Huskers with a fourth-place finish in the 5000m with a run of 19:52.53.

The Huskers continue action tomorrow with day two of the Graduate Classic beginning at 11:45 a.m. Running events begin at 11:45 a.m. with the 60m hurdles preliminary round, while the throwing events start at noon with the men’s triple jump.