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The outdoor track & field season is in full swing and we are wrapping up our seventh week of the year in the Cornhusker State. Let's take a look at some of the state's top performances from the most recent meets.
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Sprint Events - Top Performers
Taylor McIntyre, Central Valley - McIntyre picked up his sixth win of the season in the 100m dash at the Goldenrod Conference Meet and recently dropped a personal best time of 11.85 at the Central Nebraska Championships. He now sits with the third-best time in the state and continues to trend in the right direction.
Kevin Garcia Guzman, Dundy County-Stratton - Guzman stayed perfect in the 300m hurdles, winning the RPAC title in 38.98 for his sixth straight victory. He currently sits at NE #4 and has been one of the most consistent hurdlers in the state this spring.
Addison Garringer, Kearney - Garringer ran 56.75 to win the 400m dash at the North George Anderson Invite, moving to fourth in the state. She also picked up another win in the 200m dash, giving her four victories in the event this season.
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Field Events - Top Performers
Maurice Purify, Westside - Purify remained undefeated in the long jump, winning his fifth straight competition with a 24-1.25 to take over the top spot in the state. That mark moved him further up the state leaderboards and solidifies his status as a podium contender as we roll into the postseason.
Noah Rau, Chase County - Rau delivered another massive throw, tossing 219-6 to extend his state lead and move to US #8 in the discus. He's now gone over 200ft five times this season, continuing his dominance in the throws event this spring.
Chelsea Kottich, Elm Creek - Kottich stayed perfect in the discus with her sixth straight win, throwing 151-5 and holding onto a top-three mark in the state. She's also been strong in the shot put, winning five of six competitions in 2026.
Kate Hessel, Millard West - Hessel picked up her fourth win of the season, clearing 5-6 for the third time this spring at the Knights of Columbus Invite. She also put forth a solid showing in the triple jump, finishing 4th.
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Distance Events - Top Performers
Josiah Bitker, Lincoln North Star - Bitker ran 4:17 to win the 1,600m at the LPS Championships, setting a new NE #1 in just his second meet of the season. The reigning cross country state champion is already making a big impact on the track despite running just two races so far.
Emma Steffensen, Waverly - Steffensen dropped a huge personal best in the 800m, running 2:10 to take over NE #1 and finishing 2nd at the Howard Wood Dakota Relays in South Dakota. The performance marks an 8-second improvement from her previous best this year and establishes her as the person to beat in the two-lap race.
Emily Hegge, Papillion-La Vista South - Hegge won the 3,200m at the Knights of Columbus Invite in 10:37, picking up her second win of the season in the event. She now sits ranked second in Nebraska and continues to build her championship resume as the postseason looms.