Hinrichs Runs 8:59/4:12/1:53 Triple For Three Class A Wins

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

Instead of the traditional two-day meet, the Nebraska High School State Outdoor Track and Field Championships held at Omaha Burke Stadium, was transformed into a four-day event -- May 19-22 -- but the new format was anything short of spectacular and worth wait, after a year of absence due to the pandemic.  

Class A/D- Wednesday/Thursday

Elkhorn South distance standout Gabe Hinrichs led his team to their first Class A state title and denied Fremont a repeat. Hinichs ran an impressive 3,200, going under 9 minutes to win the Class A title in 8:59.66. He added a 1,600 title (4:12.40) and finished second in the 800 (1:53.10). 

Alex Herman of Papillion-La Vista Vista won the Class A discus with a throw of 180-8

Elli Dahl of Fremont helped lead her team to its first Class A state championship as she claimed the 3,200 (10:47.65) and 1,600 (5:00.58) titles and was part of the second-place 4x400 (4:00.61).

A novice pole vaulter, less than six months into the event, Anna Vedral of Lincoln Pius X can call herself a state champion. Vedral claimed the Class A title, clearing 12 feet. 

Dajaz DeFrand of Lincoln claimed three golds, winning the 100 (11.73), 200 (24.53) and was part of the winning 4x100 relay (48.39). 

Millard South’s Lilee Kaasch won the triple jump title going 38-4.75. 

Isaiah Zelasney led Osceola to a team title, as he became the first boy to win four events in Class D. Zelasney claimed the 100 (11.02), 200 (22.19), 400 (50.69) and ran on the winning 4x400 (3:31.28). 

The Sterling girls edged out Humphrey St. Francis, 36-34, for the Class D championship. Sterling’s Macy Richardson, a sophomore, won the triple jump (36-2.00) and swept the hurdles events, clocking 15.36 in the 100 hurdles and winning the 300 hurdles in 46.18. 

Humphrey St. Francis senior Allison Weidner picked up her third straight Class D titles in the 400 (57.73) and 800 (2:19.75) and ran the anchor on the winning 4x800 (10:10.58).

Class B/C- Friday/Saturday 

It came down to the wire Saturday evening for the Class B titles. The Hasting boys secured the team championship with a runner-up finish in the 4x400 relay (3:25.31) to edge Waverly, 47-46. The York girls barely beat out Elkhorn North, 63-62.50 points to secure the team championship.

In Class B boys action, Hastings’ Jaydon Welsh won the 1,600 (4:30.35) , finished second in the 3,200 (9:51.32) and ran on the winning 4x800 (8:10.66).

Pierce’s Logan Moeller claimed the triple jump title (46-02.50) and long jump (22-6.25).

Waverly’s Will Armatys won the 100 (10.93) and 200 (21.89). 

Aurora's Gage Griffith threw 174-4 to win the Class B discus title and added a shot put title with a mark of 55-8.25.

Julia Karmazin, a standout golfer, became Elkhorn North’s first individual state champion as she won the 3,200 (11:14.36).

Brynn Hirschfeld won two golds for York, claiming the 800 (2:17.98) and 1,600 (5:14.01). She also finished in third place in the 3,200 (11:41.73).

Payton Davis won the 1,600 (4:22.87), finished second in the 800 (1:57.39) and 3,200 (9:56.75), leading David City Aquinas boys to a Class C state title with 53 points.

Southern’s Connor Bradley was a force on the track winning the 100 (10.73), 200 (22.10) and 400 (49.67)

Cedar Catholic’s Carson Noecker claimed the 3,200 (9:24.56) and was second in the 1,600 (4:23.52).

The Chase County girls scored 68 points to win the Class C championships as Kamire Dillan won the 200 (25.76), placed runner-up in the 100 (12.45) and ran on the winning 4x400 (4:04.86).

Battle Creek’s Renee Brummels soared to a Class C triple jump title and  a top 25 mark in the country, going 39-9.75. 

Crofton freshman Jordyn Arens put on an impressive display in the distance events, winning three golds --  the 800 (2:18.21), 1,600 (5:14.71) and 3,200 (11:16.04).

Team Scores

Class A – Elkhorn South boys 88 points, Fremont girls 83 points RESULTS

Class B – Hastings boys 47 points, York girls 63 points RESULTS

Class C – David City Aquinas boys 53 points, Chase County girls 68 points RESULTS

Class D – Osceola boys 46 points, Sterling girls 36 points RESULTS