A new and improved Burke Stadium and some familiar record setters ready for the 2025 NSAA State Track and Field Championships
By Tony Chapman – For the Nebraska School Activities Association
The Nebraska School Activities Association’s state track meet begins its four-day run at Omaha Burke Stadium on Wednesday for the opening day of the Class A and B meets. Both classes will conclude on Thursday before giving way on Friday and Saturday for the Class C and D meets.
No fewer than 15 state class records (six girls, nine boys) have been set across the four classes this spring and the forecast in Omaha appears to be favorable “flag” weather with a chance at multiple new state marks during the competition.
Athletes and spectators also will see a newly renovated Burke Stadium at this year’s competition. The Omaha Public Schools, their foundation and private partners took on a nearly $8 million renovation that was started at the conclusion of last year’s meet.
QUALIFICATION
CLASS A: Four districts, with the top four individuals in each competition qualifying; plus the next eight best performances. The top three relays qualify plus the next four best times.
CLASS B: Six districts, with the top three individuals in each competition qualifying; plus the next six best performances. The top two relays will make it plus the next four best times.
CLASSES C and D: Nine districts, with the top two individuals in each competition qualifying; plus the next six best performances. The winner of each relay advances plus the next seven best times.
In the pole vault and the high jump, each class has an automatic qualifying mark equal to the average of the eighth place finish in each of the past three state meets in their respective class.
TEAM SCORING: In each class team points are awarded on a 10, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 basis to determine team champions.
Up to date championship information will be delivered via the NSAA Track and Field Championship Central page. All four days of the event will be broadcast on the NFHS Network.
Championship Schedule | Current State and State Meet Records
CLASS A: Tight team races, Fremont’s Gonzalez has eyes on 4-minute mile
With sights set on a seventh Class A state team championship on the girls side, Lincoln Southwest hopes to return to the team podium for the first time since 2022 this week. The Silverhawks will bring 27 athletes to Burke Stadium after winning a district title last week.
The competition, however, will be very good led by 2023 champion Papillion-La Vista South as well as fellow Heartland Athletic Conference member Kearney. LSW head coach Kevin Schrad said that each point will carry significant weight in Omaha.
“We feel like we were in one of the toughest districts in Class A and so hopefully that will help us be ready for the state meet,” said Schrad. “I think the big thing for us will be to stay as healthy as we can through the meet.
“We know that Papio South and Kearney are going to be really, really tough to beat.”
Led by Taylor Schuster, the state’s top long jumper, the Silverhawks qualified three girls in both the long and triple jumps and could pile up points there. A South Dakota State pledge, Schuster went 19-9.25 at districts for the best mark in the state. Teammate Nifemi Bankole is second in the triple jump, while Schuster is fourth and Gracie Baete sixth.
Schuster was the only girls athlete at last year’s Class A state meet to win four individual medals and will also be a medal contender in the 100 and 300 meter hurdles.
The Silverhawks can add points in the hurdles, while Kearney has points waiting in the shot put, discus and with standout distance runner Abigail Berger – the state cross country champion – in the 1,600 and 3,200. Papio South’s Marissa Garcia and Millard West’s Kate Ebmeier will also be key factors in the distance races that could go a long way toward determining a team champion.
“The jumps and the hurdles are going to be key for us for sure,” Schrad said. “But if we can mix in points in the other events we are capable of, we feel like we’ll have a chance to do some good things.”
Two other key contributors for Southwest could be Nonic Oelling who has the second best 400 meter time and four-event qualifier Sole’ Jones in the 100 and 200. She also qualifyed in the 400 and on the 1,600 meter relay team.
The boys side of Class A mixes in three of the best athletes at their events in state history.
Omaha Central’s Ike Ackerman has etched his name as the Class A state record holder in the shot put, breaking a record that was over 40 years old from Larry Station earlier this year. He brings a top throw of 65-8.75 to the state meet with the all-class record of 66-11.5 in play as well as the state meet mark of 64-5.5 set last year by Elkhorn North’s Sam Thomas.
Lincoln Southeast’s Charlie Thorne leads a Knight contingent that could contend for the boys team title. He took down the Class A 300 meter hurdle mark earlier this year that had been held by Grand Island standout Jeremy Buckner since 1991. He also has the state’s leading time in the 400 meters and is a medal contender in the 100 and 200.
“Charlie Thorne is as good as it gets on the track,” Schrad said in admiration of the Knight standout.
The distance races feature Oregon pledge Juan Gonzalez of Fremont and his pursuit for the first-ever 4-minute mile in state history. He set the state record earlier this year with a 4:03.08 and last year set the state meet record at 4:08.61. He also holds the state record in the 3,200 at 8:51.06 where his Tiger teammates could go 1, 2, 3 to bolster their chances in the team race. He also leads Class A in the 800 meter run.
ATHLETES TO WATCH: Jaiya Patillo, Bellevue West (state record holder, 400 meters); Celia McCoy, Grand Island (top time in the state in the 100 and 300 meter hurdles); Imani Skanes, Omaha Northwest (top triple jumper, second in long jump); Alexis Chadek, Papillon-La Vista (state leader in 800, undefeated in the race this year); EJ Brown, Elkhorn South (Nebraska commit, two-time defending champion and state leader in high jump); Luke Brachle, Kearney (class leader in the high jump and 110 meter high hurdles); Aamir Hill, Millard South (leads state in long and triple jump).
CLASS B: Viking boys eye repeat, girls team race up for grabs
Seeing their top state championship team competition during most of the spring, has put the Waverly boys team the unique spot of knowing exactly what they need to do at the Class B state meet on Wednesday and Thursday.
With conference mates Gretna East and Elkhorn North as their top challengers, the Vikings know doing what they have done all year may get the job done in Omaha for a second year in a row. Waverly won every meet they participated in this spring including outpacing Gretna East 191-120 at last week’s B-1 district meet.
“Overall for our boys this year we have been healthy and pretty consistent,” said Waverly head coach Brian Benson. “We just need to keep competing and grinding out points the best we can (at state). I think the past few years, we have been known for being a team that dominates the sprints, but I think we can spread our points out this year which could help us.”
Indeed, two newcomers are helping the Vikings to do just that.
Freshman Braxton Badman has the second fastest time in Class B this year – and fastest district time – in the 110 meter high hurdles. And, senior Chase Dittenber – out for track for the first time in his high school career – has the fourth best shot put in the class heading to Omaha.
Benson said both newcomers weren’t necessarily a surprise to the Viking coaches, but have been great additions. Dittenber is a South Dakota School of Mines football pledge who may also try to double in track.
“Braxton, you could just tell, he’s pretty special already,” Benson said. “Chase was a baseball player for three years and he threw the shot put in unified meets last year over 50 feet with no training. So, we had a good feeling he could do some good things for us.”
Some things, however, have not changed for the Vikings.
They lead the state in the 400 relay, running a Class B state record at districts. They are strong in the sprints with Braxton Smith, Conor Schere and Derek Sutter. Smith – a South Dakota recruit – will go for his third consecutive 400 meter title, where he has battled Elkhorn North speedster Jett Tinglehoff.
The girls race, it seems, will be completely up for grabs. Both Bennington and Waverly bring balanced teams across the board to Omaha, but there is top-loaded power for Grand Island Northwest, Norris and Seward to contend.
Waverly standout Emma Steffensen could be a gold medal contender in the 400, 800 and 1,600 with teammate Alonna Depalma a possible medalist in the 100, 200 and 400. Bennington’s strength is in numbers where they have four events that could have multiple point scorers, plus the top 1,600 relay team in Class B.
Northwest will be low in total numbers, but have a chance at four event wins. Washburn commit Krya Ray has the top 100 time and has battled with Norris’ Landri Gates in the long jump all season. Amarae Krafka is the state’s top pole vaulter, while Tessa Scheer is the only Class B athlete to reach 5-7 in the high jump.
Besides Gates, Norris is a threat in the mile and two-mile races with Nebraska commit Kendall Zavala and Creighton pledge Atlee Wallman. They also bring the top 400 and 3,200-meter relay teams to Omaha.
ATHLETES TO WATCH: Cece Kramper, Omaha Duchesne (top time in the 1,600 and 3,200 meter runs); Kelsey Miller, Seward (state record holder in 100 meter hurdles); Shaydyn Rasby, Ogallala (state record holder, 300 meter hurdles); Braden Lofquest, Gretna East (Duke commit, state record holder in 1,600, top time in 800 meters); Tommy Rice, Omaha Skutt Catholic (Nebraska commit, second fastest time in 800 and 1,600 meters); Brody Clevenger, Elkhorn (top Class B times in 110 high and 300 meter hurdles); Boston Irish, Cozad (top pole vaulter in the state).
Class C: Talented Kearney Catholic girls aim for repeat, Stanton’s Wilke for shot put gold
Kearney Catholic girls coach Brian Russell knows the key to his team repeating as the Class C girls state champions revolves not around much more than one thing – that the athletes they are sending to the state meet are healthy.
Last week, the Stars – along with their boys team – swept their way to district titles on their brand-new home track, but, most importantly, maximized their scoring opportunities in Omaha with a wealth of talent led by juniors Hazel Haarberg and Alyssa Onnen.
“I am not sure we really had the expectation going into the season that we would be state champions again,” Russell said. “But, we knew we would have a great group of kids that would compete all season and they have done that.
“But, I think the best part about where we are at is that the girls are all healthy right now.”
Haarberg, the sister of the Nebraska football player Heinrich Haarberg, brings the fastest times in the state in both the 100 and 200 to Omaha. She has run 11.74 in the 100 meters. Her 200 meter time of 23.74 was deemed wind aided, but remains the best mark in Nebraska this spring.
“The thing about Hazel is she’s gonna compete,” Russell said. “And, she’s just so dang fast.”
She also has plenty of friends coming with her.
Haarberg will also compete in the long jump and on the Star 400 meter relay team – finally healthy – has the fastest time in the class as well. Onnen competed in the relay for the first time all season at districts.
Onnen will compete in the pole vault and triple jump as well in Omaha and alongside Haarberg in the long jump. She was the all-class gold medalist at last year’s meet in both the pole vault and the triple jump.
Distance runner Jaelyn Whitter (1,600 and 3,200) as well as sophomore Kendyl O’Hare (high jump) are also in line to score points for the Stars.
While Kearney Catholic seems to be a favorite, Russell knows the dynamic of the team race at state can change in an instant.
“We had a great day at districts,” he said. “But, it’s different at the state meet. I think we have a chance to win, but I don’t know if we can. We know that West Holt and Bishop Neumann have very talented teams.”
On the boys side, talented thrower Barrett Wilke of Stanton has taken on all comers in the shot put ring after finishing third in a competitive Class C field last spring. He trails only Omaha Central’s Ackerman on the state charts with a season best throw of 64-6.
Wilke also added the discus to his arsenal and has the best mark in Class C as well, but the event in Omaha will feature three other throwers in the all-class top-10: Gavin Kelch (Syracuse), Cole Vorderstrasse (Thayer Central) and Cooper Stokebrand (Tri County).
Additionally, the Class C boys team race could be one of the tightest of the entire four-day event, with Perkins County, West Holt and Lincoln Lutheran all eying a team title. North Platte St. Pat’s and Syracuse could also figure in the mix.
West Holt could score in up to eight events, while Perkins County – with dominant distance runners Mason McGreer and Elijah Goodell – will load up the races at 800+ meters.
ATHLETES TO WATCH: Adi Hunt, Southern Valley (100, 200, No. 1 Class C time in 400); West Holt girls 1,600 relay (holds current Class C record and 2024 state meet record); Jaxon Knisley, North Platte St. Patrick’s (leads state in 110 high hurdles); West Holt boys 1,600 relay (holds current Class C state record, second fastest time in state); Battle Creek boys 400 relay (holds current Class C record); Isaac Cronin, Valentine (6-10 high jump, tied for state lead).
Class D: In a true family affair, Dundy County-Stratton is seeing double
If you keep seeing the same name over and over again while watching the Class D state track meet on Friday and Saturday, it’s okay. Your eyes do not deceive you.
With their sights set on a pair of state championships, Dundy County-Stratton is bringing two sets of siblings and parents who do the coaching the 338 miles to Burke Stadium. They will be in search of something that has not been done in Class D since Giltner won boys and girls state team titles in 2015.
“Our boys and girls had high expectations coming into the season,” said DCS boys coach Mike Spargo. “The main group of juniors we have are just a really competitive bunch. They thought they could win it all.”
A staff of four brings 13 athletes with them to Omaha this week. Spargo (head boys) and Hannah Stroup (head girls) have assistants Megan Spargo and Josh Bailey along with them. They will attempt to make history in Benkelman, where the school has just one state championship – the 2020 Class D-1 state football title.
As for those names where you may see double, well, Spargo is one of them.
The coach’s daughters – junior Clara and freshman Abi – have left their mark on the Class D charts already. Clara set state records this year in the 100, 200 and 400, while Abi is the top 300 meter hurdler in the class and ranks third in the 100 meter hurdles. They both run on DCS’ class leading 400 meter relay team.
“The biggest thing for Clara is that she has finally been healthy all season,” Mike Spargo said. She fractured a growth plate in her hip at last year’s state meet.
“Not having any injuries has been a blessing for her to be healthy. And, Abi is just Abi. She can just go out and do her thing. They are very different kids.”
The family affair moves to the field as well where throwers Kennedy Bailey and brother Brock have a shot at three golds and four medals in the shot put and discus. Kennedy, also a junior, leads in both events in Class D. She has the top mark in the state in the shot put with her only loss at the prestigious Kansas Relays. She did, however, win the discus at that meet. Brock, a sophomore, has the top mark in the shot put and ranks ninth in Class D in the discus.
Their dad, Josh, is the throws coach for the Tigers.
“They both have been very consistent for us all season,” coach Spargo said. “I think Brock maybe had a little bit more attention last year as a freshman, but when Kennedy did so well in Kansas, that really opened some eyes as well.”
The Tiger boys have plenty more in the tank after Bailey, too. Ethan Latta leads a talented group of Class D high jumpers at 6-7.25 on the season. Sprinter Laken Wissink leads the class in the 100 and the 200. The Tigers, with Wissink, Latta and Blaine Aldridge could put three on the medal stand in the 200. They also hold the class record in the 400 meter relay, which also includes Kevin Garcia-Guzman who has the top 110 meter hurdle time in Class D.
Team challengers will come on the girls side from Elm Creek, Nebraska Christian and conference mate Maywood-Hayes Center. Nebraska Christian, with a strong distance group, will also factor on the boys side as will defending co-champion Axtell and football powers Riverside and Central Valley.
“We just need to be ourselves,” coach Spargo said. “There has been a standard all year of consistent effort and good attitude. We will need that (at state).”
ATHLETES TO WATCH: Taylor McIntyre, Central Valley (second best marks in 100, 200 and triple jump); Sheridan Falk, Nebraska Christian (leading time in 100 hurdles, second best mark in long jump); Kayleigh Betka, McCool Junction (Class D cross country champion, fastest times in 1,600 and 3,200 meter runs); Myleigh Weers, Diller-Odell (UNK basketball commit, top time in 800 meters); Will Cacy, Arapahoe (leading time in 400, second fastest time in 200); Kael Garrett, Medicine Valley (top time in 1,600 meters, second in 3,200); Jacob Swanson, Nebraska Christian (top time in 3,200 meters, second in 1,600).
Tony Chapman is a freelance writer based in Grand Island. He has written for multiple Nebraska daily and weekly newspapers. His Harvest Sports Newsletter covers a wide variety of Nebraska prep sports.