News & Notes: Recapping the Nebraska State Championships

Nebraska State Championships - Best Individual Performances

Hazel Haarberg, Kearney Catholic High School

Haarberg was electric all weekend, winning the 100m dash in 11.45 and the 200m dash in 23.88 while also clearing 19-0.5 in the long jump. Few athletes in Nebraska matched the versatility she showed across three separate events, and she once again proved why she's one of the Midwest's premier sprinters.

Evan Svoboda, Norfolk High School

Svoboda put together one of the best sprint doubles of the entire meet, running 20.93 in the 200m and 47.29 in the 400m dash en route to a pair of victories. He also placed 3rd in the 100m dash, showcasing his talents across all three sprint events against Nebraska's best competition.

Emily Hegge, Papillion - La Vista South High School

Hegge delivered a massive distance double, running 4:57.88 in the 1,600m before returning to clock 10:42.09 in the 3,200m. Competing at that level in two distance events over championship weekend is never easy, but the junior handled it like one of the state's top distance stars and adds a pair of state titles to her resume.

Niles Medcalf, Lincoln Southeast High School

Medcalf showed tremendous range at the state championships, winning the 800m in 1:52.97 and later running 47.82 in the 400m dash. The ability to compete at an elite level in both events made his weekend one of the strongest middle-distance performances the Cornhusker State has seen all year.

Pierce Parker, Bellevue West High School

Parker had a great day in the jumping events, clearing 7-0 in the high jump and closing the season with a US #17, before going 23-2.25 in the long jump and 47-11.25 in the triple jump en route to two runner-up finishes. It's rare to see an athlete perform at such a high level in three jumps at the same meet and Parker made them all look routine.

Brock Bailey, Dundy County-Stratton High School

Bailey was outstanding in the throws, launching 176-9 in the discus and 62-7.5 in the shot put, capturing gold in both. The junior finishes the season ranked NE #1 in the shot put and NE #4 in the discus, and will enter next spring with an opportunity to win both events in back-to-back seasons.

Anisten Wortmann, Hartington Cedar Catholic High School

Wortmann was one of the most consistent hurdlers in the state this season and was rewarded in a big way, running 14.19 en route to a win in the 100m hurdles. She later doubled back to run 42.99 in the 300m hurdles, placing second to wrap up a strong day in the hurdle events. Oh, and she 400m dash earlier in the day as well.

Emma Steffensen, Waverly High School

Steffensen closed her high school career with a huge day in Omaha, running 2:07.88 in the 800m and adding a 55.87 performance in the 400m dash, winning gold in both. The senior also finished 2nd in the 1,600m, running 5:05 and putting a bow on one of the state's best distance runners' careers.

Noah Rau, Chase County High School

Rau uncorked a massive 196-4 throw in the discus, one of the top marks of the championship meet regardless of classification. After spending the season consistently near 200 feet, he once again delivered a national-level performance when it mattered most and ends his senior year undefeated in the event.

Aaliyah Perry, Millard North High School

Perry showcased incredible versatility, running 11.88 in the 100m dash before jumping 39-3.75 in the triple jump. The sophomore leaves her second state meet, accomplishing a feat very few upperclassmen can even achieve - walking away from the state's biggest event with two rings.