State track: What to watch in Classes A and B, including Lincoln athletes going for gold (2024)

This will mark the third year of a four-day meet in Omaha, with Class A and B competing Wednesday and Thursday, and Classes C and D getting their turn Friday and Saturday.

Here's a look at a few of the biggest headlines we're watching in A and B.

Songster seeks gold

In her final state track meet, Lincoln Northeast's Laney Songster will try to win her first gold medal in the 100 hurdles after coming painfully close each of the past two seasons.

Songster was second to former Lincoln Pius X standout Kate Campos at last year's state meet, finishing in :14.893 to Campos' :14.89. As a sophom*ore, Songster was third in the 100 hurdles behind Campos and Lincoln Southwest's Jaida Rowe. And as a freshman, she was fourth at state … behind Rowe and Campos.

The North Dakota State commit heads into this week as a strong favorite to win her first gold medal.

Running Rexilius

Lincoln Christian's Jacie Rexilius is the favorite to win two of the higher-profile events in the Class B meet, as she heads to state with the class's top marks in both the 100 and 200 meters.

Rexilius broke the Class B 200 record at the B-3 district meet, her time of 24.21 giving her the all-class lead and making her the only girl in Class B to go below 25 seconds this season. Rexilius' 11.92 in the 100 at districts is the third-best in the state this season regardless of class and would have set a Class B record, but was not wind-legal.

A boys jumps

Lincoln Reece Grosserode in the triple jump, and Norfolk's Rowdy Bauer in the long jump, should give fans plenty of chances to get up out of their seats.

Grosserode, already the state record holder with a triple jump of 49 feet, 9 inches at districts, has made no secret of going after one of the most hallowed Nebraska track and field records: the 50-2¼ all-class triple jump record set by Holdrege's Todd Brown in 1978.

Bauer, a Nebraska football recruit, has been the state's top long jumper all season and could put up another big mark in Omaha. One of those giving chase in that event will be Grosserode.

Norris takes run at titles

Norris will take a shot at sweeping the boys and girls titles this week to cap off dominant years by both squads.

The Norris girls, defending Class B champions, are led by record-breaking senior Ellie Thomas in the 400, 800, 4x400, and 4x800. Kendall Zavala should provide points in the 1,600 and 3,200, and freshman Landri Gates could be a factor in the 100, 200, and long jump

The Norris boys, after scoring 225 points to win the B-3 district title by 148 points, will have gold medal contenders across the spectrum, from the throws, to the jumps, to a good chunk of the running events. The Titans have never won a boys track title

Norris's boys have never won a team track title.

Leeping Leeling

One of the state's top all-around athletes, Sidney senior Karsyn Leeling will take a bow this week in Omaha.

Leeling has the top high jump mark in the nation among high school girls this season having gone 6 feet, 1½ inches on April 13. She is one of just four girls across the country to clear the six-foot bar in 2024, and the only one to go higher than six feet even.

If that wasn't enough, the Nebraska track commit leads Class B in the long jump and the triple jump, and could score 30 points on her own at Burke Stadium.