It was a rebuilding year for NEB track and field as they transitioned from a large senior class full of lettermen to a younger generation trying to find their footing.

"We lost 14 seniors at the end of last season, and they were, in large part, our point scorers," said coach Sandy Morris. "We brought up a very strong freshman class that by mid-season, started to find their footing, and will play a major role in our next season.  Some of those freshmen that we look forward to watching lead our team in the future include Allie Kuhn, Delsi, Sanchez, Sophia Davenport, Levi Dewing, and Xavier Lockwood."

Freshman Landon Chapman was able to qualify for districts in the triple jump, the only freshman to do so.

"Already making his name known is freshman Landon Chapman," Morris said. "Landon tried a bit of everything this year. He was integral on the track, he earned some points in the javelin, but where he really started to make his mark is in the jumps. Early season, Landon jumped 34-1.5 in the triple jump, but by the end of the NTL Championships, he earned himself a District berth with a jump of 39-6.75 feet finishing 6th in the NTL. He placed 16th in the District as the only freshman to have earned his way to the District meet in the triple jump."

Also making districts was the girls' 4x100 relay team of Kuhn, Sanchez, Davenport, and Leah Beebe.

"The team of Allie, Delsi, Anyely Reyes, and Leah Beebe ran a very impressive time at Districts, and with all but Leah returning next year, these girls look to build on that momentum," said Morris.

Most of their success came in the distance races between Sophie Bennett and Jackson Martin.

"Sophie Bennett had an amazing season," remarked Morris. "She improved in each of her distance events dropping 13 seconds off of her 800 time, 48 seconds off of her 1600 time, and about 1:30 off of her 3200 time. She had podium finishes in the 1600 and 3200 at both the NTL Championships and the District meet.  She is one of the most consistent and hard working athletes on the team, and she is already looking ahead to a strong cross-country season.'

"On the boys' side, Jackson Martin lead the way," continued Morris. "He generally ran the 800, 1600, 3200 and then either ran a leg of the 4x8 or 4x4. Jack was always a strong finisher in the distance events, and this led him to podium finishes in the 1600 and 3200 at the NTL meet. He had a very strong showing in the District meet as our only athlete to qualify in 4 events (4x800, 1600, 3200, and 4x400). He had a PR run in the 3200 at Districts and finished just off the podium.  He was also on the 4x4 District team that ran a season best time of 3:41.14 with teammates Tyler Kuhn, Daniel Barrett and Eli Stanton.  The team finished 10th in a super fast District field. Probably the highlight of the season came in the 3200 at the NTL League meet where Jackson had to spring to the finish to place second in what was essentially a 4way tie for that position with only 0.00.21 seconds separating 2 - 5 places."

The Panthers also had a record fall this season in the 400 meter relay.

"In addition to the 4x4 team, the 4x100 team ran an amazing race at District's setting our school record for the second time this season," Morris said. "The team of Tyler Kuhn, Daniel Barrett, Landon Chapman, and Eli Stanton now hold the school record in the 4x100 meter relay, and they finished a strong 10th place in the District."

The throws squad was also in the same boat with just one senior in Myles Bennett.

"They are such a hard working group, and I believe that next year, they will be a pretty strong force in the league," Morris said.

She's looking forward to adding some junior high talent for next year as they had four athletes qualify for states.

"Summer Morris qualified in the discus where she finished 13th, and the shot put, where she placed 25th," coach Morris said. "Trinity Fick qualified in the 100 and 200, where she finished in 31st in both races, Reuben Kapr qualified in the discus, where he placed 33rd. Rory Manning also qualified for states in the 1600."

With 2026 behind them the Panthers are looking forward to 2027.

"As coaches, we are so excited for the future of our program," Morris said. "We have a strong group of underclassmen who are eager to learn and improve. We bid a final farewell to our seniors - Ayden, Tyler, Myles, Ed, Eli and Leah. Thank you for a great season."