Otterdahl Leads Huskers on First Day of Graduate Classic

The Nebraska track and field team earned five titles on Friday night on the first day of the Graduate Classic at the Bob Devaney Sports Center Indoor Track. 

Maxwell Otterdahl won the men’s weight throw with a throw of 73-2 1/2 (22.31m) on his fifth attempt of the night. It was a personal best that moved him up to No. 2 in Nebraska school history and No. 1 in the NCAA this season. His mark was just one inch shy of Alex Talley’s school record set last year. 

Jenna Rogers was crowned the women’s high jump champion with a jump of 5-11 1/2 (1.82m), which ranks second in the Big Ten and fifth nationally this season. Brooklyn Miller finished fourth, clearing 5-8 (1.73m) and Riley Masten took fifth with a jump of 5-7 (1.70m).

Till Steinforth won the men’s long jump with a personal-best leap of 24-1 1/2 (7.58m) and provided the top collegiate finish in the pole vault, clearing a career-best 16-8 3/4 (5.10m). Drake Burton (15-9, 4.80m) and Garrison Hughes (15-9, 4.80m) took second and third for the Huskers in the pole vault. 

Taylor Latimer placed first in the women’s weight throw with a mark of 69-2 (21.08m), while Marika Spencer finished third (60-2, 18.34m) and Hillevi Carlsson took fourth (60-1 1/4, 18.32m).

Favour Wanjoku finished as runner-up in the women’s long jump with a leap of 18-5 3/4 (5.63m).

In the men’s mile, Sadio Fenner covered the track in a personal-best time of 4:15.49 to take third. Jacqueline Abanses led the Huskers in the women’s mile, finishing sixth in a career-best 5:00.29.

Professional runner Krissy Gear broke the Devaney Center record in the 1000m, clocking a 2:40.66. Her teammate Abby Nichols also set a Devaney Center record, winning the 3000m in 9:01.96.

The Huskers continue action tomorrow with day two of the Graduate Classic beginning at 11:30 a.m. Running events are set to start with the 60m hurdles preliminary round, while men’s shot put will kick off the field events.