The Nebraska Track & Field team had a stellar showing at the NCAA Championships, with Axelina Johansson and Darius Wilson securing national titles and five Huskers earning First Team All-America honors.
Johansson continued her dominance in the shot put, defending her national title with a best throw of 19.20 meters. The senior from Sweden entered the meet as the favorite and lived up to expectations, becoming Nebraska’s first repeat national champion in the event.
Wilson, a rising star in the 110-meter hurdles, shocked the field with a personal-best time of 13.21 seconds, clinching his first national championship. The sophomore’s time not only set a new school record but also ranked among the fastest in NCAA history this season.
In addition to Johansson and Wilson’s triumphs, Nebraska saw three more athletes deliver standout performances to earn First Team All-America honors. Michael Kibet finished fourth in the 1,500 meters, while Kaitlyn Smith placed sixth in the pole vault. Ethan Harper rounded out the group with an impressive seventh-place finish in the long jump.
“This was an incredible championship for our program,” said Huskers head coach Justin St. Clair. “Axelina and Darius proved they are among the nation’s best, and our All-Americans stepped up when it mattered most.”
With multiple national titles and a strong All-America showing, the Huskers cemented their place among the elite programs in collegiate track and field. The team will now shift focus to the Olympic Trials, where several athletes aim to secure a spot in Paris.