Nettekoven's Record Highlights Final Tune-Up Before BIG EAST Championships

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Junior Anika Nettekoven set a Creighton record in the 800 to lead the Bluejays at the Nebraska Tune-Up on Friday in Lincoln, Neb. The meet was the final competition for the Bluejays before they make their debut appearance at the BIG EAST Indoor Track & Field Championships, Presented by JEEP, next Friday and Saturday in Chicago.

"Today was all about building momentum as our athletes prepare for the BIG EAST Indoor Conference next week," said assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Mathew Fayers. "We had some great performances in the 800, with the ladies setting the No. 1 No. 2 and No. 3 times in school history, along with three Top 10 marks in the men's 800. Outside of the 800 we had some impressive marks which should set us up nicely heading into the outdoor season!"

Nettekoven was Creighton's lone individual to win an event on Friday. She topped a field of 18 competitors in 2:14.242 in a photo finish with Nebraska's Deavion DeLeon (2:14.244). The Appleton, Wis., native topped the previous Bluejay record of 2:16.6 set by Katie Roche four weeks ago on the same Bob Devaney Sports Center track. Roche placed fourth in today's race in 2:15.19 and junior Carly Manchester finished in seventh in 2:15.61.

Junior Katherine Soule finished the 3,000 meter race in a personal-best time of 10:12.90 that was good for a runner-up finish. Sophomore Taylor Rorick finished sixth in the mile in 5:07.47 and Natalee Gehred finished in 12th in the 400 in 1:01.94. Gehred also led off Creighton's 4x400 meter relay team that placed fourth in 4:20.01, as she was joined by freshmen Bella Gomez, Anna Bridges and Alexis Leone.

The 800 meter race also proved to be one of the top events for the Creighton men. Junior Brian Hiltebrand took second in 1:53.43, edging out sophomore Ryan Hendrickson (1:53.61) and junior Dominic Ricci (1:55.74).

Senior Ryan Montera finished second in the men's 3,000 meters with a personal-best time of 8:26.10. Classmate Henry Slagle was sixth in 8:37.51 in the same race. Sophomore Evan Kraus was CU's top performer in the mile, finishing in 4:16.43 to take sixth. Sophomore sprinter Logan Piper ran in a pair of events, placing eighth in the 60 meter hurdles (8.71) and ninth in the 60 meters (7.34).

Piper, Diego Barron, Cole Haith and Ricci finished the 4x400 relay in 3:32.05.

Nettekoven's Record Highlights Final Tune-Up Before BIG EAST Championships

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Players Mentioned

Diego Barron

Anna Bridges

Natalee Gehred

Bella Gomez

Cole Haith

Ryan Hendrickson

Brian Hiltebrand

Evan Kraus

Alexis Leone

Carly Manchester

Ryan Montera

Anika Nettekoven

Logan Piper

Dominic Ricci

Katie Roche

Taylor Rorick

Henry Slagle

Katherine Soule