Track, field team moves outdoors

By: Sean Owens

Posted: 4/8/08

The UNO track team moved outdoors for the first time in 2008, when they competed in the Jock's Nitch Northwest Open in Maryville, Mo., on March 5.

Saturday's competition produced a plethora of wins for the Mavericks, including titles in the distance and short sprinting events.

Junior sprinter Molly Belling took a first-place finish in both the 100- and 200-meter events with times of 12.16 and 25.06, respectively.

The two outdoor wins preceeded late season let-down at the Division II Indoor National Meet, held almost three weeks ago.

"I was really excited to run," Belling said. "For taking time off, I thought I did pretty well. Now that the first one is out of the way, I feel really good about it."

Adding to the success of Belling was senior distance runner Kaylen Harris. Harris took home a title in her 2008 outdoor debut, the 10,000-meter run. The run marks the beginning of the final outdoor season in her illustrious career.

"Kaylen did a really good job out there," Belling said. "I think we were all excited about how we came out and competed."

The UNO field team also captured a title on Saturday. Sophomore Heather Minssen took the shot-put title for the Mavericks with a throw of 41 feet, six inches.

The event marked the first field event title for UNO in the outdoor season. It also raised the confidence level for the field team as they prepare to make one final run at a North Central Conference title.

"I think we will have a good fight for the final conference title in the NCC," Belling said. "We are excited about the opportunity to succeed as a team, as well as individually, in our final time to represent the North Central Conference."

The team will next move on to competition in the Concordia University Invitational on April 12, followed by a trip to California on April 18 for the Azusa Pacific and Long Beach invites.