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It's been a long winter, but with spring officially here, we can finally look ahead to the outdoor track season in Nebraska. With the first week of racing in the Cornhusker State behind us, it's time we take a look at the athletes who shined the brightest during the first week of the season.
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Sprint Events - Top Performers
Mia Cushing, Elkhorn - She won the 100m and 200m dash events at the Elkhorn South Invite Invite, setting early-season NE #1's in both events. The sophomore finished 5th at state last season and will be the one everybody is chasing as we head into week 2.
Addison West, Skutt Catholic - A podium finisher at state a year ago, the senior scored a victory at her first meet of the season, winning the 400m dash in 58.11, the state's fastest time in the state after one week.
Landen Lingenfelter, Lincoln East - In his season debut, the senior from Lincoln East picked up a pair of wins in the 100m and 200m dashes, setting two early-season NE #1 marks in one of the more-loaded meets that took place last week.
Paul Connot, Papillion - La Vista - The junior competed at two different meets last week and captured his first win in the 300m hurdles at the Elkhorn South Invite, running a 39.62, the state's fastest time in the event.
Will Urosevich, Westside - One of two runners to dip under 50 seconds in the 400m dash on opening week, he won the event at the CSM Stevens Series on Friday, running a NE #1 in 48.79.
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Field Events - Top Performers
Kennedy Bailey, Dundy County-Stratton - She swept the two throws events at the Trojan Relays on Friday en route to setting NE #1 marks in both. The senior is the defending state champion in the two throws events, yet still set a personal best in the shot put, recording a 46-8.5.
Aaliyah Perry, Millard North - A runner-up at state a year ago, the sophomore won the triple jump at her first meet of the season, jumping a new personal best of 39-0. She also won the 60m dash at CSM Stevens Series on Saturday.
Barrett Kitrell, Ashland-Greenwood - He scored two wins at the Bulldog Challenge last Thursday, winning the two throws events. The junior is the state's top-ranked thrower in the discus.
Tyler Daly, Platteview - Perhaps the most impressive early-season performance was from the Platteview senior, who cleared 6-9 in the high jump en route to winning the event, and is now tied for the 19th-best jump in the United States.
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Distance Events - Top Performers
Emma Steffensen, Waverly - She was undefeated in the 800m last season and extended her winning streak into 2026, running a 2:18.82 in her first race of the season. The senior will be a heavy favorite to repeat in the event this spring.
Emily Hegge, Papillion - La Vista South - After an undefeated cross country season, the freshman got off to a strong start this track season, running a 5:09 in the 1,600m, a very impressive early-season NE #1.
Zander Carson-Koestner, Elkhorn South - Coming off an 8th-place finish at the state meet last season, after one week of the track & field season, the senior is the fastest miler in the state after winning the 1,600m at the Elkhorn South Invite last week.
Brayden Romero, Elkhorn - He made just one appearance in the 800m last season and ran nearly 12 seconds faster in his season debut on Friday. The sophomore crossed the line in 1:56.75, setting a NE #1 in the event.