Men’s, Women’s Track Place at GPAC Championships

Three Nebraska Wesleyan Univeristy women won individual titles, while the NWU men had several individuals earn All-GPAC honors as the Prairie Wolves men placed third and the NWU women fourth at the 2010 Great Plains Athletic Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships, held Saturday at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.

The NWU men scored 93.5 points to place third behind Doane and Concordia. The Doane men won the team race for the fourth straight year with 190.5 points, while Concordia was second with 117.5.

In the women's race, Concordia snapped Doane's streak of 19 straight indoor titles as the Bulldogs had 151 points and Doane only 136. Sioux Falls was third at 113, while NWU was fourth at 106.5.

NWU won four events on the day, all on the women's side. Senior Jackie Spelts was a double winner as she was the individual champion in the 3,000 meters (10:17.84) and the 5,000 meters (17:53.29).

Two other athletes with big days for the NWU women were Anne Kersenbrock and Taylor Tacha.

Kersenbrock was the individual champion in the long jump (17-9.5). She also was second in the 60 meter dash (7.85) and fourth in the triple jump (35-5.75) to score 21 points.

Tacha was the champion in the 60-meter hurdles (8.94) in her first GPAC championships. She also was fifth in the 60 meters.

Other top placers for the NWU women were Katie Nelson and Amanda Brichacek.

Nelson was fifth in the 1,000 and fourth in the one mile, while Brichacek took fourth in the weight throw.

No NWU men were individual champions, but three finished second. Kevin Janata had the closest race of the day as he placed second in the 60 hurdles. He was narrowly edged by Virgil Mitchell of Doane as Janata ran a 8.287 and Mitchell a 8.280. Janata also was fifth in the triple jump.

Logan Watley finished second in the one mile run with a time of 4:17.48. Josh Wall finished third in the 400 meters (49.75).

NWU dominated the 5,000-meter run as they placed 2-4. Brian Copley was second (15:01.38), Neil Wolford third (15:12.32) and Ben Paben fourth (15:13.39).

All athletes that place in the top eight earn All-GPAC honors.