OMAHA — They came, they saw, they competed.
Three Wolfpack track team members competed against the best of the best in Class C Friday and Saturday at the Nebraska State Track & Field Championships.
On track’s biggest stage with an estimated crowd of 20,000 or more looking on, the Wolfpack track team gave their best.
Conditions were warm and humid as track athletes had some of the best weather to compete in all season.
Medals eluded them on this weekend, but each gave their all.
Arguably the Wolfpack’s best effort was turned in by senior Zach Polk. On Friday morning he competed in the high jump competition. Polk cleared 6-0 to match his personal best, but went out at 6’2”. Polk finished in a tie for ninth place, just missing a medal. Winning the event was junior Colten Vahle of Wisner-Pilger who cleared 6-8.
On Saturday afternoon, Polk competed in the discus event. Polk’s best throw, 138’11, did not garner him a spot in the finals.
Polk finished 13th. Winning the event was Kenton Kobza, a freshman from Aquinas Catholic, with a throw of 167-0.
Two other Wolfpack athletes competed Friday at the state meet.
Junior Blake Schrage competed in the 110 and 300 meter hurdle events at state.
On Friday morning, Schrage competed in the third heat of the 110 meter high hurdles, finishing sixth with a time of 17.37 seconds. In the finals, sophomore Antonio Flores of Malcolm won with a time of 14.68 seconds.
Later that day, Schrage ran the 300 meter intermediate hurdles. In the final heat, Schrage posted a time of 44.02 seconds to finish sixth. In the finals Saturday, senior Lucas Wiechman of Wisner-Pilger posted a winning time of 40.03 seconds.
Wolfpack sprinter, freshman Jill Schindler, raced in both the 100 and 200 meter dash events. Competing Friday morning in the 100 meter dash, Schindler finished sixth in her heat with a time of 13.40 seconds. In the finals, Kalyn Brannagan of Kearney Catholic won with a time of 12.37 seconds.
In the 200 meter dash preliminaries, Schindler finished seventh in her heat with a time of 28.33 seconds. In the finals, Brannagan again won with a time of 25.81 seconds.
Coach of the Wolfpack track team this season was Carlie Wells.
