NTL TRACK & FIELD: NEB'S SEELEY GETS BIG THROW AT NTLS (2022-05-14)

BY CHRIS MANNING
Northern Tier Sports Report
ATHENS — NEB’s Dan Seeley had been flirting with 150-feet in the discus for much of the year, and, on Friday, he blew past it, with a throw of 152-feet, 3-inches to win the event at the NTL Track and Field Championships Friday.

“It was a good day, to have a good day,” Seeley remarked. “When I let go of my last throw I knew it was a big one, and it really feels awesome to know I can hit the state mark.”

The state mark is 148-feet, while Seeley is just eight inches from the school record, another goal of his.

It was one of two wins, the other in the shot put at 46-feet, 5 3/4-inches.

“I’ve just been doing my best to put all the pieces together, and pop a big one off, and tonight I just got a little closer,” Seeley said about the shot put. “But it was definitely a big confidence boost for me.”

Teammate Ethan Finch was third in the discus at 129-feet, 9-inches, and sixth in the shot put at 40-feet, 1 1/4-inches.

Austin Kithcart was second in the high jump at 5-feet, 10-inches, while taking fifth in the 110 hurdles at 17.59. 

On the track Brayden Miller (5:07.33) was seventh in the 1600, while Brandon Kuhn (2:12.78) took eighth in the 800, and Ryan Jones (11:52.74) was eighth in the 3200.

Aiden Kapr (48.47) was eighth in the 300 hurdles.

In the relays the 4x800 was second in 8:57.09, the 4x400 relay was third in 3:45.41, and the 4x100 squad was eighth in 49.65.

On the girls’ side Gracelyn Laudermilch got two wins in the distance events, taking the 3200 in 12:28.20, and the 800 in 2:24.59.

“I was really happy with my 800,” she said. “I wish I could have gotten the school record - just a second off - but I’m feeling pretty good. In the 3200 I feel like I could have gone harder, obviously, my PR’s 40 seconds faster. Just coming out and seeing what I could do, and get a good workout in.”

It was not distance runner’s weather, with the high heat, and breezy conditions, but there’s a good chance the same conditions could be at districts.

“I was like, ‘oh, I wish it would rain,’” said Laudermilch. “I was hoping that I could have someone there, and (Troy’s) Alyssa (Parks) pushed me the first lap and a half, but I know that Sarah (Bronson) and Emma (Bronson) obviously had a big day.”

The 3200 will be in the morning at districts, followed by the mile, and the 800. 

“I’m going to do all three, and, the 800, we’ll see what I have,” she said. “I’m definitely going to focus on the 3200 so it’ll be fresh.”

Maisie Neuber won the javelin in 116-feet, 1-inch as Emma Neuber (90-feet, 1-inch) was fifth. Emma Neuber (29-feet, 2-inches) took second in the shot put, and eight in the discus at 76-feet, 1-inch.

Lilah Hughes was fourth in the 800 (2:32.57) and fifth in the 3200 (13:06.63).

The boys were with with 61 points, while the girls took fifth with 52 points.

PHOTO CAPTION: NEB’s Dan Seeley throws in the discus…PHOTOS BY CHRIS MANNING