The Nebraska cross country team began its season at the Augustana Twilight on Friday night at Yankton Trail Park in Sioux Falls, S.D.
The Husker women captured the team title for the first time since 2015, led by Berlyn Schutz. A freshman from Lincoln, Schutz crossed the line first with a time of 17:17.18. Brynna McQuillen pitched in a top-five finish, covering the course in 17:40.61 to place fifth. Ali Bainbridge finished sixth in her Husker debut, clocking a 17:49.70. Taya Skelton finished 10th with an 18:09.88 and Cami Merickel placed 21st with an 18:32.54 to round out the scoring for the women. NU totaled 43 points, with South Dakota State finishing second (66 points) and Augustana placing third (105 points).
Trevor Acton led the men with an 11th-place finish, clocking a 19:47.06. Cal Puskar placed 13th (19:49.15) and Sam Kirchner placed 23rd (20:11.39). Joe Volkmer and Grant Wasserman chipped in back-to-back finishes, clocking a 20:15.76 and a 20:15.89 to place 26th and 27th. The Nebraska men finished third with 83 points, behind South Dakota State (62 points) and St. Thomas (68 points).
The Huskers return to action on Saturday, Sept. 16 when they host the 33rd annual Woody Greeno/Jay Dirksen Invite at the Mahoney Golf Course in Lincoln.
Women's Lineup (5K)
1. Berlyn Schutz – 17:17.18
5. Brynna McQuillen – 17:40.61
6. Ali Bainbridge – 17:49.70
10. Taya Skelton – 18:09.88
21. Cami Merickel – 18:32.54
22. Emma Ralston – 18:33.12
27. Jacqueline Abanses – 18:40.61
31. Lindsey Blehm – 18:44.24
34. Hayley Trotter – 18:47.16
42. Hannah Godwin – 18:56.80
87. Sadye Daniell – 19:41.29
88. McKenna Lovehaug – 19:42
153. Lauren Blehm – 20:52.17
178. Katelyn Mullinax – 21:12.55
Men's Lineup (4-Mile)
11. Trevor Acton – 19:47.06
13. Cal Puskar – 19:49.15
23. Sam Kirchner – 20:11.39
26. Joe Volkmer – 20:15.76
27. Grant Wasserman – 20:15.89
37. Jerry Jorgenson – 20:24.45
49. Eric Carothers – 20:39.32
66. Colby Erdkamp – 20:54.29
104. Nolan Miller – 21:23.49
TOMINAGA SPARKS JAPAN TO OLYMPIC BID
Keisei Tominaga scored 16 of his 22 points in the first half as Japan earned a berth in the 2024 Paris Olympics with an 80-71 win over Cape Verde Saturday morning in the FIBA World Cup.
Tominaga went 8-of-11 from the field, including 6-of-8 from 3-point range, and added two assists in just 18 minutes of action off the bench, as Japan concluded its tournament run with a 3-2 record and earned the Olympic bid as the highest finishing team from Asia in the World Cup.
Tominaga entered the game with Japan trailing 19-14 in the final minute of the first quarter and led Japan on its comeback. He had 13 points on 5-of-5 shooting, including a trip of 3-pointers as Japan outscored Cape Verde 33-18 in the second quarter. After Cape Verde pulled within 33-28 with 5:10 left in the half, Tominaga hit a trio of 3-pointers in a 11-2 run over the next 1:10 to give Japan its largest lead at the time at 44-31.
Cape Verde was within 59-47 midway through the third quarter before Tominaga keyed another run. The Husker guard had two assists and pair of 3-pointers – his fifth and sixth of the night - in a 14-3 run that stretched the lead to 73-53 with 2:00 left in the third quarter. Japan would see its 20-point lead cut to 74-70 with under a minute remaining before holding on for the win.
Tominaga finished his tournament run averaging 11.4 points per game on 45 percent shooting, including 37.5 percent from 3-point range. He also added 1.4 assists, 1.2 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game as Japan’s three victories were its most ever in a single FIBA World Cup.
