The 2024 NSAA state track and field championships began Wednesday with the opening day of competition for classes A and B. Competitors waited through two separate weather delays in the afternoon on Wednesday as opening day action didn’t conclude until after 9 p.m.
Broken Bow’s Max Denson claimed third in the Class B boys shot put with an effort of 55’11.5″ which came on his first attempt of the finals. Denson becomes a three time state medalist in the event. Evan Cyboron of Broken Bow also competed in the event finishing 12th overall with an effort of 49’6.25″ and Brice Chaplin of Broken Bow was also in the field finishing 20th with an effort of 46’9.25″. Sam Thomas of Elkhorn North was the Class B boys shot put champion setting a new state meet record with an effort of 64’5.5″.
Broken Bow’s Cruze Safranek qualified for the finals of the Class B boys 100 meter dash. Safranek posted the 2nd fastest qualifying in the prelims at 10.73 seconds. The fastest qualifying time was turned in by the defending state champion Ethan Baesler of Blair who broke his own state and state meet record from a year ago with a qualifying time of 10.50 seconds. The Class B boys 100 meter final will take place on Thursday. Safranek fell just short of qualifying for the Class B boys 200 final. Safranek posted a prelim time of 22.58 seconds which was just outside the top 8 times to make the finals.
Keelyn Shea of Broken Bow finished 11th overall in the Class B girls discus with an effort of 115’6″. The Class B girls discus champion was Madison Smith of Gothenburg. Smith won the event for the third consecutive year with a winning effort of 147’1″. Greeley Cargill of Cozad placed 5th in the event with an effort of 128’9″.
Broken Bow competed in the Class B girls 4×800 meter relay. The team of Maren Chapin, Halle Quinn, Addison Ellis, and Ashlyn Schauda ran their fastest time of the season at 10:07.8 to finish 13th overall. The event was won by Elkhorn North in a new state and state meet record time of 9:11.08.
Other area highlights from day one:
Ava Weyers of Gothenburg placed 2nd in the girls long jump (17’7″)
Aubrey O’Hare of Gothenburg qualifies for finals in girls 100 meter hurdles
Makaia Baker of Cozad qualifies for finals in girls 200 meter dash
For full results of State Track Day One click here
Competition concludes for classes A and B on Thursday. Listen for live updates of Day Two coverage on KBBN 95.3 FM.
