Thomas Wins Long Jump on Day One of Husker B1G Invitational

The Nebraska track and field team completed day one of the Husker B1G Invitational in Prairie View, Texas on Friday. 

Darby Thomas was the Huskers’ top finisher on the day, as she claimed the long jump crown with new personal-best mark of 20-7 3/4 (6.29m). 

Papay Glaywulu also excelled in the long jump for the NU men. He earned the silver medal after jumping 24-4 1/2 (7.43m), a new personal best. 

The Huskers stacked the leaderboard in both long jumps. In addition to Thomas, Zionn Pearson took fourth place in the women’s competition with a leap of 19-9 1/2 (6.30m) on her first attempt. And for the men, Michael Hoffer was sixth with a collegiate best 23-9 (7.24m), and Micaylon Moore took seventh at 23-7 1/2 (7.20m). 

Burger Lambrechts Jr. posted a fourth-place finish in the discus. HIs top throw on the day was 174-3 (53.11m). Marika Spencer was ninth for the Big Red women, throwing 156-9 (47.79m). 

On the track, Cory Berg recorded a personal-best time in the 400-meter hurdles, clocking in at 52.74 to finish in sixth place in the final. Joey Daniels (13.97) and Luke Siedhoff (14.13) both advanced to the finals of the men’s 110-meter hurdles. Daniels’ time was the fastest by a collegiate hurdler in the event. 

Thomas followed up her victory in the long jump by qualifying for the 100-meter hurdles final. She set a collegiate best of 14.14, and LaQwasia Stepney also posted a PR of 14.16 to advance to the final as well. 

Halfway through the decathlon, Zach Podraza is in 12th place for the NU men with 3,470 points heading into his stronger events on Saturday. Kerrigan Myers sits in eighth place for the Husker women in the heptathlon with 2,899 points.

The men’s pole vault and javelin were originally scheduled for Friday but will now be contested on Saturday. The decathlon and heptathlon will begin the day at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Field events pick up at 11 a.m., and track events commence at 1:10 p.m.