Juan Gonzalez Goes Out On Top With Four Wins; Charlie Thorne Shines For Lincoln Southeast; Isaac Ackerman Launches US#7 Shot Put

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

Juan Gonzalez didn’t need to break records to make history at the Nebraska State Track and Field Championships. The Fremont senior delivered a golden finale, winning four Class A titles over two days at Burke Stadium in Omaha.

Gonzalez, a Brooks NIL athlete, dominated the distance events—taking the 800 (1:53.77), 1,600 (4:11.46), 3,200 (9:01.22), and anchoring the 4x800 relay (7:47.66) — cementing his legacy as one of Nebraska’s all-time greats. He’ll continue his career at the University of Oregon this fall.

The Kearney boys repeated as the Class A state champions scoring 75 points. 

Besides Gonzalez, senior Charlie Thorne of Lincoln Southeast also left a big imprint on the meet as he picked up three gold medals, winning the 400 (47.52) and 300 hurdles (37.31), anchoring the winning 4x400 (3:17.25) and also finishing third in the 100 (10.62). 

Isaac Ackerman, a senior from Omaha Central won the shot out with a monster throw of 67-0.50, good for US#7. He also won the discus (181-2).

In the jumps, Millard South’s Aamir Hill won the triple jump with US#21 49-5.25, he also won the long jump (24-4.50). 

Papillion La Vista South won the girls team championship with 88 points to beat Lincoln Southwest (87 points). The team’s 4x800 relay won with a time of 9:28.67. 

In the field, Omaha Northwest’s Imani Skates won the long jump (19-5.50) and the triple jump (39-0.75). 

Class B

Waverly’s Braxton Smith won the 200, finished second in the 400 (48.45) and ran on the first-place 4x400 (3:21.18) to lead his team to the Class B state title. 

In the distance events, senior Braden Lofquest of Gretna East won the 800 (1:51.86), 1,600 (4:18.42) and 3,200 (9:19.53).

One of the top performances of the day came from Chase County’s Noah Roa, who broke 200-feet in the discus with a winning mark of 203-9. That's US#9. 

Junior Addi Kuntz led Bennington to a Class B title as she won the 100 (11.94), 200 (25.24), and was part of the first-place 4x100 (48.26). Bennington also claimed the 4x400 title (3:52.69). 

Sophomore Cece Kramer of Omaha Roncalli Catholic claimed the 1,600 (4:58.26) and 3,200 (10:47.43). 

Class C

The Perkins boys scored 58 points to win the Class C title. Senior Mason McGreer led the team with wins in the 1,600 (4:20.92) and 3,200 (9:21.17).

Senior Barrett Wilde of Stanton dominated the shot put winning with a throw of 65-4.75, a US#10 mark. He also won the discus with a throw of 175-6. 

The Kearney Catholic girls repeated as the Class C champs, scoring a dominating 79 points. 

Junior Hazel Haarberg won the 100 (11.96), 200 (24.08) and long jump (18-2.25). 

In the field, teammate Alyssa Onnen cleared 13-0.25 to win the pole vault title and went 39-2.50 to capture the triple jump crown.

Class D

Dundy County Stratton swept the boys and girls Class D titles. 

Senior Laken Wissink led the Dundy County Stratton boys, winning the 100 (11.07) and 200 (21.87) titles. Wissink was also part of the winning 4x100 relay (42.88). 

For the girls, Dundy County Stratton junior Calara Spargo swept the sprint titles, claiming the 100 (12.51), 200 (24.63) and 400 (56.30). Teammate Kennedy Bailey won the shot put (43-4.25) and discus (133-9). 

Central Valley’s Taylor McIntyre was second in the 100 and 200 and won the triple jump (36-11.50). 

Team Champions 

Class A - Kearney boys 75 points, Papillion La Vista South girls 88 points - RESULTS

Class B - Waverly boys 73 points, Bennington girls 80 points - RESULTS

Class C - Perkins boys 58 points, Kearney Catholic girls 79 points - RESULTS 

Class D - Dundy County Stratton boys 87 points, Dundy County Stratton girls 86 points - RESULTS