SIDNEY - Sidney senior Karsyn Leeling began her state title defense with an all-class record-breaking performance to open the 2024 Nebraska High School Track and Field season at the John Ganser Invite at Sidney High School on Friday. 

Leeling, the daughter of Amanda Sharman and Chad Leeling, became the first woman in Nebraska high school track and field history to clear six feet in high jump. Her leap on Friday at Weymouth Field broke the all-class record of 5-11¼ set in 1984 by Tammy Thurman, of Fremont. 

Leeling, who verbally committed to compete in track and field at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in September, already had the ninth-highest jump in state history at 5-10. She won the Class B state championship last spring with a jump of 5-8.

Friday's gold was Leeling's 75th track and field medal. The future Husker owns three gold district medals, three state medals and a runner-up finish at the Coast2Coast International Meet at the Gold Coast Performance Centre in Australia last summer. 

The Sidney Lady Raiders finished runner-up, behind Laramie, at the John Ganser Invite. The Sidney Red Raiders claimed the team championship. Both teams return to action Thursday at Ogallala. 

This is a developing story. Stay with News Channel Nebraska for the latest.