Story by Buffalo Bill Rodeo Communications

North Platte, Neb. –May 28, 2024 – The leadership for the Buffalo Bill Rodeo in North Platte not only produces the rodeo but has experience in the competition arena as well.

Levi Fisher and Justin Thompson, chairman and vice-chairman respectively, are professional rodeo contestants who are putting their backgrounds as rodeo cowboys to good use.

Fisher is a tie-down roper who still competes and lives in Hershey. Thompson is a former steer wrestler who lives in North Platte.

Together, they lead the Buffalo Bill Rodeo team.

Fisher grew up in Crawford and didn’t begin competition till a senior in high school. He attended Chadron State College, competing collegiately, then after graduation, worked at a feedlot near Kearney, a bank in St. Paul, Neb., a bank in North Platte, and in 2005, he and a group started a branch of the Equitable Bank in North Platte. Fisher serves as community bank president of Equitable.

Thompson grew up in North Platte, the son of Jerry Thompson, DVM. He loved high school wrestling and football; rodeo was never on the radar.

But while a student at Colby (Kan.) Community College, the college rodeo coach asked if he’d like to give steer wrestling a try.

He did, and loved it. He competed collegiately at Colby, then at Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva.

After college, he competed professionally from 1996 to 2008, traveling across the nation.

In 2008, when he tore his ACL, he opened up his insurance agency in North Platte, and his rodeo competition days were over.

Fisher never quit rodeoing, although there were years he didn’t rodeo much while he hauled he and wife Keri’s two daughters to junior high and high school rodeos. An injured knee and broken leg also slowed him down, but he’s still competing, “so long as the girls leave me a horse,” he joked.

Thompson turfed his last steer in 2009; he and wife Missy have three children, ages 18, 16 and 11. Their children aren’t involved in rodeo but ride and work with the family’s cattle herd.

Being a contestant, and now a rodeo committee member, is a benefit, both men think.

“You’ve been to other rodeos,” Fisher said, “and you’ve seen other ways of doing things.”

Thompson agrees. “We’ve been on the contestants’ side of it, and you know the needs there. It helps us see deeper into it. You see how much difference the livestock makes, and the purse money comes into play, too.”

Fisher and Thompson are similar in how they deal with business, they believe.

“The team atmosphere, the work ethic, the personal accountability, that all works in a business, and in a rodeo committee too,” Fisher said. “It’s a business mindset. You definitely have to understand a profit and loss statement. The rodeo has to pay for itself or it’s not going to be viable long-term.”

Both men appreciate how hard fellow committee members work.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“There’s a lot of experience with everyone on the committee,” Fisher said.

“We have people on the committee who look at things differently, because they come from different industries. It helps with all the things that need to get done.

“We have a fantastic committee that gets things done.”

Fisher has been part of the Buffalo Bill Rodeo committee since 2007; Thompson served on the NebraskalandDays board from 2013-2017, then became a rodeo board member.

This year’s Buffalo Bill Rodeo is June 12-15 at the Wild West Arena in North Platte. Shows begin at 8 pm nightly at the Wild West Arena in North Platte.

Tickets range in price from $11-$24 and can be purchased online at NebraskalandDays.com, at the NebraskalandDays office, and at the gate.

For more information and a complete schedule of NebraskalandDays events, visit the website or call&nbsp;the office at 308.532.7939.

Story by Buffalo Bill Rodeo CommunicationsNorth Platte, Neb. –May 28, 2024 – The leadership for the Buffalo Bill Rodeo in North Platte not only produces the rodeo but has experience in the competition arena as well.Levi Fisher and Justin Thompson, chairman and vice-chairman respectively, are professional rodeo contestants who are putting their backgrounds as rodeo cowboys to good use.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716984051469.jpeg" alt="Levi Fisher is in his first year of chairing the Buffalo Bill Rodeo in North Platte, Neb. He is a PRCA tie-down roper. " />
 <figcaption>Levi Fisher is in his first year of chairing the Buffalo Bill Rodeo in North Platte, Neb. He is a PRCA tie-down roper. </figcaption>
 </figure>Fisher is a tie-down roper who still competes and lives in Hershey. Thompson is a former steer wrestler who lives in North Platte.Together, they lead the Buffalo Bill Rodeo team.Fisher grew up in Crawford and didn’t begin competition till a senior in high school. He attended Chadron State College, competing collegiately, then after graduation, worked at a feedlot near Kearney, a bank in St. Paul, Neb., a bank in North Platte, and in 2005, he and a group started a branch of the Equitable Bank in North Platte. Fisher serves as community bank president of Equitable.Thompson grew up in North Platte, the son of Jerry Thompson, DVM. He loved high school wrestling and football; rodeo was never on the radar.But while a student at Colby (Kan.) Community College, the college rodeo coach asked if he’d like to give steer wrestling a try.He did, and loved it. He competed collegiately at Colby, then at Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva.After college, he competed professionally from 1996 to 2008, traveling across the nation.In 2008, when he tore his ACL, he opened up his insurance agency in North Platte, and his rodeo competition days were over.Fisher never quit rodeoing, although there were years he didn’t rodeo much while he hauled he and wife Keri’s two daughters to junior high and high school rodeos. An injured knee and broken leg also slowed him down, but he’s still competing, “so long as the girls leave me a horse,” he joked.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716984114503.jpeg" alt="Justin Thompson is vice-chair of the Buffalo Bill Rodeo in North Platte. He is a former PRCA steer wrestler." />
 <figcaption>Justin Thompson is vice-chair of the Buffalo Bill Rodeo in North Platte. He is a former PRCA steer wrestler.</figcaption>
 </figure>Thompson turfed his last steer in 2009; he and wife Missy have three children, ages 18, 16 and 11. Their children aren’t involved in rodeo but ride and work with the family’s cattle herd.Being a contestant, and now a rodeo committee member, is a benefit, both men think.“You’ve been to other rodeos,” Fisher said, “and you’ve seen other ways of doing things.”Thompson agrees. “We’ve been on the contestants’ side of it, and you know the needs there. It helps us see deeper into it. You see how much difference the livestock makes, and the purse money comes into play, too.”Fisher and Thompson are similar in how they deal with business, they believe.“The team atmosphere, the work ethic, the personal accountability, that all works in a business, and in a rodeo committee too,” Fisher said. “It’s a business mindset. You definitely have to understand a profit and loss statement. The rodeo has to pay for itself or it’s not going to be viable long-term.”Both men appreciate how hard fellow committee members work.&nbsp;&nbsp;“There’s a lot of experience with everyone on the committee,” Fisher said.“We have people on the committee who look at things differently, because they come from different industries. It helps with all the things that need to get done.“We have a fantastic committee that gets things done.”Fisher has been part of the Buffalo Bill Rodeo committee since 2007; Thompson served on the NebraskalandDays board from 2013-2017, then became a rodeo board member.This year’s Buffalo Bill Rodeo is June 12-15 at the Wild West Arena in North Platte. Shows begin at 8 pm nightly at the Wild West Arena in North Platte.Tickets range in price from $11-$24 and can be purchased online at NebraskalandDays.com, at the NebraskalandDays office, and at the gate.For more information and a complete schedule of NebraskalandDays events, visit the website or call&nbsp;the office at 308.532.7939.

From Cowboy to Committee

North Platte, Ne - North Platte is a special place for PRCA rodeo clown Justin Rumford.

It’s where his life changed and he followed a totally different path, to stardom as a rodeo clown instead of a cowboy.

The Kansas native, who now lives in Ponca City, Okla., grew up in rodeo and competed in high school and college, with big plans to be a professional steer wrestler and qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the pinnacle of pro rodeo.

But in North Platte, he had what he calls his “mental breakdown.”

It was 2008 and he was steer wrestling full time, nationwide, with the plans to be one of the top fifteen steer wrestlers in the nation at the end of the season so he could compete for a world title at the National Finals.

In North Platte, he broke the barrier to add a ten second penalty to his time, which would have won him first place.

He was out of money - $36 to his name, a wife at home, and his dreams were dashed.

“I was sitting on the bucking chutes at noon, after slack, all by myself,” he said. He told his traveling partners Shane Henderson and Dru Melvin to go on to the next rodeo without him. He was done.

“I had no ride home, nowhere to go, and I was about to cry.”

That’s when his destiny began to change.

Stock contractor Bennie Beutler walked up and said, “what the hell’s wrong with you?” Rumford told him, “I didn’t make it. I’m going to go home and get a job.”

Beutler, who provides the bucking horses and bulls for the Buffalo Bill Rodeo, offered him a job, driving truck and livestock to rodeos, with the chance to continue to steer wrestle at the rodeos he worked.

So he worked fulltime for Beutler, steer wrestling on the side.

He worked for Beutler three years, hauling livestock to Beutler rodeos across the nation: not only North Platte, but Burwell, Phillipsburg, Kan., Tucson, Ariz., Austin, Texas, Greeley, Colo., and more.

In 2010, he worked as clown at a bull riding in Pretty Prairie, Kan., and it began to dawn on him: he could make a living as a clown. Rumford has always had a quick wit and sense of humor, but he never wanted to clown.

He had made connections with rodeo committees and other stock contractors as he worked for Bennie Beutler, and he asked them for jobs.

Rumford fit the clown jobs in between working for Beutler at their rodeos, until one day somebody said, “you’re going to have to decide if you want to do this rodeo clown deal, or work for Bennie, because we’re all finding you jobs and you’re turning them down.”

“He did not take it well,” Rumford said. “He told me, if you’re going to tell jokes, get in the truck and tell jokes on the CB, because you’re not quitting.”

But Rumford did, and he’s never looked back.

“I knew these committee members, and they knew I was hilarious, because I was always cracking jokes. When I called and told them I was going to switch to clowning, I had more of an advantage, because they knew who I was.”

Rumford quickly moved into fulltime work as a rodeo clown, and he’s won two of the PRCA’s most prestigious awards for his category: the Clown of the Year ten times, and the Coors Man in the Can (for barrelmen) three times.

It all comes back to the Buffalo Bill Rodeo.

“North Platte is where I thought the end of the road was,” he said. It was “God’s timing,” he said.

Rumford will entertain during each night of the Buffalo Bill Rodeo June 12-15. Shows begin at 8 pm nightly and are held at the Wild West Arena in North Platte.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716409688266.jpeg" alt="Justin Rumford jokes around at the 2021 Buffalo Bill Rodeo. The award-winning rodeo clown credits North Platte as the place where he began the transition from being a fulltime rodeo cowboy to rodeo clowning. Photo by Don Christner" />
 <figcaption>Justin Rumford jokes around at the 2021 Buffalo Bill Rodeo. The award-winning rodeo clown credits North Platte as the place where he began the transition from being a fulltime rodeo cowboy to rodeo clowning. Photo by Don Christner</figcaption>
 </figure>Story by Ruth NicolausNorth Platte, Ne - North Platte is a special place for PRCA rodeo clown Justin Rumford.It’s where his life changed and he followed a totally different path, to stardom as a rodeo clown instead of a cowboy.The Kansas native, who now lives in Ponca City, Okla., grew up in rodeo and competed in high school and college, with big plans to be a professional steer wrestler and qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the pinnacle of pro rodeo.But in North Platte, he had what he calls his “mental breakdown.”It was 2008 and he was steer wrestling full time, nationwide, with the plans to be one of the top fifteen steer wrestlers in the nation at the end of the season so he could compete for a world title at the National Finals.But it wasn’t to be.In North Platte, he broke the barrier to add a ten second penalty to his time, which would have won him first place.He was out of money - $36 to his name, a wife at home, and his dreams were dashed.“I was sitting on the bucking chutes at noon, after slack, all by myself,” he said. He told his traveling partners Shane Henderson and Dru Melvin to go on to the next rodeo without him. He was done.“I had no ride home, nowhere to go, and I was about to cry.”That’s when his destiny began to change.Stock contractor Bennie Beutler walked up and said, “what the hell’s wrong with you?” Rumford told him, “I didn’t make it. I’m going to go home and get a job.”Beutler, who provides the bucking horses and bulls for the Buffalo Bill Rodeo, offered him a job, driving truck and livestock to rodeos, with the chance to continue to steer wrestle at the rodeos he worked.So he worked fulltime for Beutler, steer wrestling on the side.He worked for Beutler three years, hauling livestock to Beutler rodeos across the nation: not only North Platte, but Burwell, Phillipsburg, Kan., Tucson, Ariz., Austin, Texas, Greeley, Colo., and more.In 2010, he worked as clown at a bull riding in Pretty Prairie, Kan., and it began to dawn on him: he could make a living as a clown. Rumford has always had a quick wit and sense of humor, but he never wanted to clown.He had made connections with rodeo committees and other stock contractors as he worked for Bennie Beutler, and he asked them for jobs.Rumford fit the clown jobs in between working for Beutler at their rodeos, until one day somebody said, “you’re going to have to decide if you want to do this rodeo clown deal, or work for Bennie, because we’re all finding you jobs and you’re turning them down.”So Rumford told Beutler he was quitting.“He did not take it well,” Rumford said. “He told me, if you’re going to tell jokes, get in the truck and tell jokes on the CB, because you’re not quitting.”But Rumford did, and he’s never looked back.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716409768943.jpeg" alt="Justin Rumford returns to bring the laughs to North Platte’s Buffalo Bill Rodeo June 12-15. The Oklahoma rodeo clown, a former steer wrestler, has not only clowned the Buffalo Bill Rodeo in the past, but has competed at it and worked for the stock contractor there as well. Photo by Jackie Jensen. Photo by Jackie Jensen" />
 <figcaption>Justin Rumford returns to bring the laughs to North Platte’s Buffalo Bill Rodeo June 12-15. The Oklahoma rodeo clown, a former steer wrestler, has not only clowned the Buffalo Bill Rodeo in the past, but has competed at it and worked for the stock contractor there as well. Photo by Jackie Jensen. Photo by Jackie Jensen</figcaption>
 </figure>“I knew these committee members, and they knew I was hilarious, because I was always cracking jokes. When I called and told them I was going to switch to clowning, I had more of an advantage, because they knew who I was.”Rumford quickly moved into fulltime work as a rodeo clown, and he’s won two of the PRCA’s most prestigious awards for his category: the Clown of the Year ten times, and the Coors Man in the Can (for barrelmen) three times.It all comes back to the Buffalo Bill Rodeo.“North Platte is where I thought the end of the road was,” he said. It was “God’s timing,” he said.“It’s a wild story.”Rumford will entertain during each night of the Buffalo Bill Rodeo June 12-15. Shows begin at 8 pm nightly and are held at the Wild West Arena in North Platte.Tickets range in price from $11-$24 and can be purchased online at NebraskalandDays.com, at the NebraskalandDays office, and at the gate.For more information and a complete schedule of NebraskalandDays events, visit the website or call&nbsp;the office at 308.532.7939.

From cowboy to rodeo clown, Justin Rumford is ready for the Buffalo Bill Rodeo

Gabe Swansen’s game-winning RBI double in the ninth inning
delivered Nebraska its fifth conference championship in program history with a
2-1 win over Penn State in front of 13,300 fans on Sunday morning at Charles
Schwab Field in Omaha.

Nebraska (39-20) totaled two runs on six hits with an error,
while Penn State (29-24) tallied a run on four hits with one error.

Swansen finished 2-for-4 with an RBI double, his fourth
multi-hit game of the Big Ten Tournament. Josh Caron homered for the third
consecutive game, while Joshua Overbeek and Case Sanderson recorded the other
two Husker hits.

Jackson Brockett tossed eight strong innings for the Big
Red, allowing just four hits and an earned run. The southpaw punched out five
batters and walked just one, improving to 3-2 for the Huskers. Brett Sears
entered in the ninth inning and set down the Nittany Lions in order to secure
the first save of his career.

Penn State jumped ahead in the opening frame after a walk
and two singles loaded the bases. An errant throw on a pickoff attempt at
second base plated the first run of the game and put the Nittany Lions in front
1-0.

After three scoreless innings from the Husker offense, an
error on Overbeek’s grounder and a single from Sanderson put runners on second
and third. However, a shallow pop-up and double play on a popped up bunt
attempt ended the threat in the fourth inning.

On the mound, Brockett retired the next 12 batters in order
across the next four innings before a two-out single from Overbeek gave
Nebraska its second base runner of the game. The Huskers were once again
stifled offensively after a groundout ended the top of the sixth.

Brockett’s streak came to an end at 14 consecutive batters
retired on a one-out double from Penn State’s Adam Cecere. The southpaw
responded with two straight outs to strand a runner in scoring position and
keep the deficit at one after six innings played.

Caron continued his scorching hot tournament with a 403-foot
home run into the right-center bleachers to begin the seventh inning and even
the game at one.&nbsp;

The blast marked his sixth long ball of the tournament,
which passed Purdue’s Dan Black (5) in 2008 for the most home runs in a single
Big Ten Tournament. His 28 total bases also set a new tournament record,
surpassing Ohio State’s Steve Caravati who finished the 2005 tournament with
26.

Both teams went quietly in the eighth but a two-out single
from Columbus up the middle gave the Huskers life. Brumbaugh entered the game
as a pinch runner and swiped second base to give NU a runner in scoring
position with two outs.

Swansen then delivered the go-ahead RBI double for the Big
Red into the left-center gap to score Brumbaugh and give the Huskers their
first lead of the afternoon. It was the junior’s team-leading seventh
extra-base hit of the tournament and 10th RBI this week for the Johnston, Iowa,
native.

Sears entered in the bottom of the ninth inning for his
first relief appearance of the season after throwing 99 pitches on Wednesday.
The right-hander retired the side in order, ending the game on a flyout to
clinch Nebraska's first ever Big Ten Tournament title.

The Huskers secured the automatic bid to the NCAA
Tournament. The NCAA Baseball Championship Selection Show is set for tomorrow,
Monday, May 27, at 11 a.m. on ESPN2.&nbsp;

Story by NU Athletic Communications Gabe Swansen’s game-winning RBI double in the ninth inning
delivered Nebraska its fifth conference championship in program history with a
2-1 win over Penn State in front of 13,300 fans on Sunday morning at Charles
Schwab Field in Omaha.Nebraska (39-20) totaled two runs on six hits with an error,
while Penn State (29-24) tallied a run on four hits with one error.Swansen finished 2-for-4 with an RBI double, his fourth
multi-hit game of the Big Ten Tournament. Josh Caron homered for the third
consecutive game, while Joshua Overbeek and Case Sanderson recorded the other
two Husker hits.Jackson Brockett tossed eight strong innings for the Big
Red, allowing just four hits and an earned run. The southpaw punched out five
batters and walked just one, improving to 3-2 for the Huskers. Brett Sears
entered in the ninth inning and set down the Nittany Lions in order to secure
the first save of his career.Penn State jumped ahead in the opening frame after a walk
and two singles loaded the bases. An errant throw on a pickoff attempt at
second base plated the first run of the game and put the Nittany Lions in front
1-0.After three scoreless innings from the Husker offense, an
error on Overbeek’s grounder and a single from Sanderson put runners on second
and third. However, a shallow pop-up and double play on a popped up bunt
attempt ended the threat in the fourth inning.On the mound, Brockett retired the next 12 batters in order
across the next four innings before a two-out single from Overbeek gave
Nebraska its second base runner of the game. The Huskers were once again
stifled offensively after a groundout ended the top of the sixth.Brockett’s streak came to an end at 14 consecutive batters
retired on a one-out double from Penn State’s Adam Cecere. The southpaw
responded with two straight outs to strand a runner in scoring position and
keep the deficit at one after six innings played.Caron continued his scorching hot tournament with a 403-foot
home run into the right-center bleachers to begin the seventh inning and even
the game at one.&nbsp;The blast marked his sixth long ball of the tournament,
which passed Purdue’s Dan Black (5) in 2008 for the most home runs in a single
Big Ten Tournament. His 28 total bases also set a new tournament record,
surpassing Ohio State’s Steve Caravati who finished the 2005 tournament with
26.Both teams went quietly in the eighth but a two-out single
from Columbus up the middle gave the Huskers life. Brumbaugh entered the game
as a pinch runner and swiped second base to give NU a runner in scoring
position with two outs.Swansen then delivered the go-ahead RBI double for the Big
Red into the left-center gap to score Brumbaugh and give the Huskers their
first lead of the afternoon. It was the junior’s team-leading seventh
extra-base hit of the tournament and 10th RBI this week for the Johnston, Iowa,
native.Sears entered in the bottom of the ninth inning for his
first relief appearance of the season after throwing 99 pitches on Wednesday.
The right-hander retired the side in order, ending the game on a flyout to
clinch Nebraska's first ever Big Ten Tournament title.The Huskers secured the automatic bid to the NCAA
Tournament. The NCAA Baseball Championship Selection Show is set for tomorrow,
Monday, May 27, at 11 a.m. on ESPN2.&nbsp;Postgame Notes<ul>
 <li>Nebraska claimed its
 fifth conference championship in program history joining the 1999, 2000,
 2001 and 2005 season where the Huskers were tournament champions in the
 Big 12.</li><li>The championship win is
 the Huskers’ first as a member of the Big Ten Conference after runner-up
 finishes in 2013, 2014 and 2019.</li><li>Josh Caron launched six
 home runs across the Big Ten Tournament which passed Purdue’s Dan Black
 (5) in 2008 for the most home runs in a single Big Ten Tournament.</li><li>Josh Caron's 28 total
 bases also set a new tournament record, surpassing Ohio State’s Steve
 Caravati who finished the 2005 tournament with 26 total bases.</li><li>Nebraska set a Big Ten
 Tournament record with 17 doubles in six games, surpassing Michigan (2022)
 and Indiana (2009) with 16.</li><li>Nebraska's pitching
 staff recorded 56 strikeouts over six games, setting a new Big Ten
 Tournament record for most punchouts by a team in the tournament.</li>
 </ul>Big Ten All-Tournament TeamMost Outstanding PlayerJosh Caron, NebraskaAll-Tournament TeamP – Will Rogers, MichiganP – Will Walsh, NebraskaP – Travis Luensmann, Penn StateC – Josh Caron, Nebraska1B – Mitch Voit, Michigan2B – Rhett Stokes, NebraskaSS – Michael Seegers, Iowa3B – Bryce Molinaro, Penn StateOF – Carter Mathison, IndianaOF – Gabe Swansen, NebraskaOF – Adam Cecere, Penn StateDH – J.T. Marr, Penn State

Huskers claim first Big Ten Tournament Title

For the first time in program history, the Nebraska Cornhuskers are Big  Ten Champions in baseball. After starting on the back foot at the beginning of the tournament earlier last week against Ohio State losing 15-2, the Huskers then went on a run in the Losers bracket. The Huskers then faced Penn State in the Championship match, where they defeated the  Nittany Lions 2-1 in 9 innings earning their first Championship as a program.

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">WINNERS WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS. <a href="https://t.co/4xaykBLYS9">pic.twitter.com/4xaykBLYS9</a>&mdash; Nebraska Baseball (@HuskerBaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/HuskerBaseball/status/1794780782554386763?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 26, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div>For the first time in program history, the Nebraska Cornhuskers are Big Ten Champions in baseball. After starting on the back foot at the beginning of the tournament earlier last week against Ohio State losing 15-2, the Huskers then went on a run in the Losers bracket. The Huskers then faced Penn State in the Championship match, where they defeated the Nittany Lions 2-1 in 9 innings earning their first Championship as a program.

Huskers topple Penn State to win first ever Big Ten Championship in baseball

Omaha, Ne -&nbsp;Nebraska gets it's rematch today against Ohio State who defeated the Huskers 15-2 in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament on Tuesday night. Today's game is an elimination game at&nbsp; 2 p.m CDT at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha. You can listen to the game on <a href="https://kcowradio.com/">AM 1400 or FM 92.5 KCOW</a> today, with pregame at 12:30pm Mountain Time, first pitch at 1pm MDT/2pm CDT.&nbsp;

Should Nebraska win, they'll play Indiana Saturday morning in a 9am CDT game, 8am MDT with pregame at 7:30am on KCOW.&nbsp;

Omaha, Ne -&nbsp;Nebraska gets it's rematch today against Ohio State who defeated the Huskers 15-2 in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament on Tuesday night. Today's game is an elimination game at&nbsp; 2 p.m CDT at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha. You can listen to the game on <a href="https://kcowradio.com/">AM 1400 or FM 92.5 KCOW</a> today, with pregame at 12:30pm Mountain Time, first pitch at 1pm MDT/2pm CDT.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716563615138.jpeg" alt="Big Ten Baseball Bracket for Friday, May 24 2024" />
 <figcaption>Big Ten Baseball Bracket for Friday, May 24 2024</figcaption>
 </figure>Should Nebraska win, they'll play Indiana Saturday morning in a 9am CDT game, 8am MDT with pregame at 7:30am on KCOW.&nbsp;

Husker Baseball gets rematch in B1G Tournament against Ohio State this afternoon

Story by NU Athletic Communications

Brett Sears and Drew Christo combined to toss a two-hitter, as the duo retired 19 of the last 20 Boilermakers in Nebraska’s 6-2 win over Purdue on Wednesday night at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha.

Nebraska (35-20) scored six runs on 12 hits and an error, while Purdue (33-24) totaled two runs on two hits to end the Boilermakers’ season on a seven-game losing skid.

Case Sanderson had a 3-for-5 night with a double and an RBI. Gabe Swansen was 2-for-4 with a double, home run and two runs scored. Josh Caron had a two-hit night with a solo homer, while Dylan Carey turned in a pair of hits, including a double. Ben Columbus, Cole Evans and Joshua Overbeek recorded one hit apiece.

Brett Sears became the first NU pitcher since at least 1999 to post a 9-0 record on the mound after dealing his 12th quality start of the season. The senior held Purdue to just two hits and allowed two runs, one earned, while striking out nine Boilermakers. With the nine punchouts, Sears climbed to 10th in program history with 96 strikeouts on the season.

Drew Christo collected his first save of the season after working three hitless innings. The junior faced on batter over the three-inning minimum and recorded four strikeouts.

A two-out solo homer in the bottom of the first broke the scoreless tie to give the Boilermakers a 1-0 lead through the opening frame.

Swansen’s 12-pitch plate appearance to being the second inning ignited a four-run rally from the Huskers to give Nebraska a three-run advantage. The junior led off the inning with a full-count walk after fouling off six consecutive pitches with a 3-2 count. A single from Carey had runners on first and second, while Evans laced the first pitch for an RBI double to left, scoring Swansen.

An RBI fielder’s choice to shortstop by Silva brought home Carey to give the Huskers a one-run lead. Overbeek kept it rolling for the NU offense, lining a first-pitch RBI double to center, plating Silva all the way from first base. Overbeek moved to third on a groundout, before Sanderson ripped a 2-1 pitch back up the middle for an RBI single to make it a 4-1 game.

Purdue got one of the three runs back in the bottom of the second with an RBI groundout after an NU fielding error extended the inning to bring the Boilermakers within 4-2 after two innings.

Swansen smashed a solo homer into the left-field bleachers to open the third inning, while Sears hung his first scoreless frame in the bottom half to maintain the three-run lead for the Big Red.

Sears retired the Boilermakers in order in the next three innings to preserve his 12th quality start of the season, becoming the fourth NU pitcher to since 2000 to record 12-or-more quality starts in a season.

Christo replaced Sears on the mound following the seventh-inning stretch and picked up right where the Huskers’ ace left off, sitting down Purdue in order with a pair of strikeouts.

Caron drilled a leadoff homer to start the ninth inning and stretch the lead to 6-2, snapping a string of five consecutive scoreless innings between the two teams. The junior sent an 0-1 pitch into the bleachers in left field for his team-leading 12th home run of the season.

Christo plunked the first batter in the bottom of the ninth, before a flyout and back-to-back strikeouts ended the bottom of the ninth and clinched Nebraska’s 6-2 win on Wednesday night.

Nebraska advances to play the loser of Indiana vs. Ohio State on Friday, May 24 at 2 p.m. at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha.

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsBrett Sears and Drew Christo combined to toss a two-hitter, as the duo retired 19 of the last 20 Boilermakers in Nebraska’s 6-2 win over Purdue on Wednesday night at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha.Nebraska (35-20) scored six runs on 12 hits and an error, while Purdue (33-24) totaled two runs on two hits to end the Boilermakers’ season on a seven-game losing skid.Case Sanderson had a 3-for-5 night with a double and an RBI. Gabe Swansen was 2-for-4 with a double, home run and two runs scored. Josh Caron had a two-hit night with a solo homer, while Dylan Carey turned in a pair of hits, including a double. Ben Columbus, Cole Evans and Joshua Overbeek recorded one hit apiece.Brett Sears became the first NU pitcher since at least 1999 to post a 9-0 record on the mound after dealing his 12th quality start of the season. The senior held Purdue to just two hits and allowed two runs, one earned, while striking out nine Boilermakers. With the nine punchouts, Sears climbed to 10th in program history with 96 strikeouts on the season.Drew Christo collected his first save of the season after working three hitless innings. The junior faced on batter over the three-inning minimum and recorded four strikeouts.A two-out solo homer in the bottom of the first broke the scoreless tie to give the Boilermakers a 1-0 lead through the opening frame.Swansen’s 12-pitch plate appearance to being the second inning ignited a four-run rally from the Huskers to give Nebraska a three-run advantage. The junior led off the inning with a full-count walk after fouling off six consecutive pitches with a 3-2 count. A single from Carey had runners on first and second, while Evans laced the first pitch for an RBI double to left, scoring Swansen.An RBI fielder’s choice to shortstop by Silva brought home Carey to give the Huskers a one-run lead. Overbeek kept it rolling for the NU offense, lining a first-pitch RBI double to center, plating Silva all the way from first base. Overbeek moved to third on a groundout, before Sanderson ripped a 2-1 pitch back up the middle for an RBI single to make it a 4-1 game.Purdue got one of the three runs back in the bottom of the second with an RBI groundout after an NU fielding error extended the inning to bring the Boilermakers within 4-2 after two innings.Swansen smashed a solo homer into the left-field bleachers to open the third inning, while Sears hung his first scoreless frame in the bottom half to maintain the three-run lead for the Big Red.Sears retired the Boilermakers in order in the next three innings to preserve his 12th quality start of the season, becoming the fourth NU pitcher to since 2000 to record 12-or-more quality starts in a season.Christo replaced Sears on the mound following the seventh-inning stretch and picked up right where the Huskers’ ace left off, sitting down Purdue in order with a pair of strikeouts.Caron drilled a leadoff homer to start the ninth inning and stretch the lead to 6-2, snapping a string of five consecutive scoreless innings between the two teams. The junior sent an 0-1 pitch into the bleachers in left field for his team-leading 12th home run of the season.Christo plunked the first batter in the bottom of the ninth, before a flyout and back-to-back strikeouts ended the bottom of the ninth and clinched Nebraska’s 6-2 win on Wednesday night.Nebraska advances to play the loser of Indiana vs. Ohio State on Friday, May 24 at 2 p.m. at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha.

Sears, Christo stifle Boilermakers on Wednesday

Ashton Parker Johnson, 28th, final score +26

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716465966553.png" alt="Class A Golf Day 2 Results" />
 <figcaption>Class A Golf Day 2 Results</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>North Platte High School</h2>Jesse Mauch, T53rd, final score +26Lukas Borges, T62nd, final score +28<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716466175716.png" alt="Class B Golf Day 2 Results" />
 <figcaption>Class B Golf Day 2 Results</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Cozad</h2>Hayden Russman, T14th, final score +17Benjamin Yocom, T59th, final score +35<h2>Ogallala</h2>Caleb Castillo, T21st, final score +20<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716466351038.png" alt="Class C Golf Day 2 Results " />
 <figcaption>Class C Golf Day 2 Results </figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Perkins County</h2>Zaybreon Hansen, T9th, final score +5<h2>Chase County</h2>Gavin Wisnieski, T35th, final score +14<h2>Broken Bow</h2>Jack White, T62nd, final score +19<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716466745415.png" alt="Class D Golf Day 2 Results" />
 <figcaption>Class D Golf Day 2 Results</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Hitchcock County</h2>Jack Baker, T2nd, final score +7Brayden Melchert, T14th, final score +17Ashton Parker Johnson, 28th, final score +26Darin Neben, T71st, final score +45Mason Schilke, T79th, final score +52<h2>North Platte St. Patrick's</h2>Landon Shepherd, T25th, final score +24Thomas Gale, 31st, finals score +28Timothy Blakely, T57th, final score +40Michael Furmanski, 66th, final score +42Brecken Erickson, 87th, final score +61<h2>South Loup</h2>Dawson Doggett, T54th, final score +39Cache Gracey, T62nd, final score +41Joseph Sallach, T69th, final score +44Harper Johnson, T71st, final score +45Hayden Stretesky, T79th, final score +52

Boy's State Golf Day 2 Results

<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/18wheVYYgMs"></iframe>
 <figcaption>First Pitch begins at 5</figcaption>
 </figure>

FNBO Nationals Baseball: FNBO Nationals Vs. Misko Sports Kearney

The Big Ten Conference and FOX have announced details of the network’s Friday Night Football package for the 2024 season, including Nebraska’s home matchup at Memorial Stadium against Illinois.

The Huskers’ game with the Illini will be played on Friday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. CT, with the game televised to a national audience on FOX. The two schools were originally scheduled to play on Saturday, Sept. 21 in Lincoln.

This is the second Nebraska home game selected for prime-time national coverage in the season’s first four weeks. Earlier this month, NBC announced it would televise Nebraska’s game against Colorado on Saturday, Sept. 7 with kickoff at 6:30 p.m.

Nebraska and Illinois will be meeting on Friday night for the second straight season and for the third time since 2017. Nebraska was victorious in games in Champaign in both 2017 and 2023. It is also the third consecutive season Nebraska has played a Friday night game after winning at Rutgers in 2022.

Aside from its traditional Black Friday games at Memorial Stadium, this will be Nebraska’s first weekday home game since Sept. 20, 2001, when Nebraska hosted Rice. The game was postponed for five days following the events of Sept. 11, 2001.

The Big Ten and its television partners are expected to announce additional game times and broadcast information before the end of May.&nbsp;

The Big Ten Conference and FOX have announced details of the network’s Friday Night Football package for the 2024 season, including Nebraska’s home matchup at Memorial Stadium against Illinois.The Huskers’ game with the Illini will be played on Friday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. CT, with the game televised to a national audience on FOX. The two schools were originally scheduled to play on Saturday, Sept. 21 in Lincoln.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699768368210.jpeg" alt="Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule yells at an official arguing for pass interference following a Maryland interception during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)" />
 <figcaption>Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule yells at an official arguing for pass interference following a Maryland interception during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)</figcaption>
 </figure>This is the second Nebraska home game selected for prime-time national coverage in the season’s first four weeks. Earlier this month, NBC announced it would televise Nebraska’s game against Colorado on Saturday, Sept. 7 with kickoff at 6:30 p.m.Nebraska and Illinois will be meeting on Friday night for the second straight season and for the third time since 2017. Nebraska was victorious in games in Champaign in both 2017 and 2023. It is also the third consecutive season Nebraska has played a Friday night game after winning at Rutgers in 2022.Aside from its traditional Black Friday games at Memorial Stadium, this will be Nebraska’s first weekday home game since Sept. 20, 2001, when Nebraska hosted Rice. The game was postponed for five days following the events of Sept. 11, 2001.The Big Ten and its television partners are expected to announce additional game times and broadcast information before the end of May.&nbsp;

Husker Football to Host Illinois in Friday Evening Contest

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716388326610.png" alt="Class A Golf Day 1 Results" />
 <figcaption>Class A Golf Day 1 Results</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>North Platte High School</h2>Luke Borges, T44th, Round 1 85Jesse Mauch, t68th, Round 1 91<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716388470751.png" alt="Class B Golf Day 1 Results" />
 <figcaption>Class B Golf Day 1 Results</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Cozad</h2>Hayden Russman, T6, Round 1 77Benjamin Yocom, T56, Round 1 90<h2>Ogallala</h2>Caleb Castillo, T24, Round 1 82<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716388722827.png" alt="Class D Golf Day 1 Results" />
 <figcaption>Class D Golf Day 1 Results</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Hitchcock County</h2>Jack Baker, T4, Round 1 77Brayden Melchert, T20, Round 1 83Ashton Parker Johnson, T25, Round 1 86Darin Neben, T51, Round 1 93Mason Schilke, 88, Round 1 105<h2>Garden County</h2>Gavin Hunt, T25, Round 1 86<h2>North Platte St. Patrick's</h2>Thomas Gale, T25, Round 1 86Landon Shepherd, T32, Round 1 88Timothy Blakely, T73, Round 1 98Michael Furmanski, T79, Round 1 100Brecken Erickson, T84, Round 1 102<h2>South Loup</h2>Dawson Doggett, T51, Round 1 92Haydn Stretsky, T71, Round 1 97Harper Johnson, T77, Round 1 99Cache Gracey, T77, Round 1 99Joseph Sallach, 87, Round 1 103

Area State Golf results day 1

Nebraska opened play in the Big Ten Tournament with a 15-2 loss vs. Ohio State on Tuesday night at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha.

Nebraska (34-20) scored two runs on four hits, while Ohio State (29-24) totaled 15 runs on 15 hits.

Josh Caron went 1-for-2 with a solo homer, while Dylan Carey had a 1-for-3 night with an RBI single. Gabe Swansen and Garrett Anglim recorded a double each for the Husker offense.

Jackson Brockett dropped to 2-2 on the season, surrendering three runs on seven hits in three innings. The southpaw struck out three Buckeyes without issuing a free pass. Bobby Olsen and Caleb Clark combined for one inning in relief.

Tucker Timmerman worked a scoreless inning, while Ty Horn picked up four strikeouts in two hitless innings.

Ohio State took the first lead of the night with a pair of runs behind three hits in the second inning. A solo homer into the Husker bullpen broke the scoreless tie, while a two-out RBI double doubled the advantage to 2-0 through two innings.

A trio of hits in the third added another run for the Buckeyes, while an eight-run frame in the fourth extended the lead to 11.

Nebraska plated its first run of the night with Caron’s solo home run to right-center in the bottom of the fourth.

The Buckeyes tacked on four more runs in the fifth to build the lead to 15-1, while the Huskers scored their second run with Carey’s RBI single to left field.

Horn struck out a pair of Buckeyes in the top of the seventh to pick up his third and fourth strikeouts of the game to preserve the shutout two-inning performance.

NU had a pair of baserunners in the bottom of the seventh after Anglim’s pinch-hit one-out double and a two-out walk to Rhett Stokes, but the Huskers couldn’t cut into the deficit, leading to Ohio State’s 15-2 run-rule win in seven innings on Tuesday night.

Nebraska takes on sixth-seeded Purdue tomorrow in an elimination game tomorrow night at 7 p.m. at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha. Single-day tickets are available at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bigten.org/baseballtickets" target="_blank">www.bigten.org/baseballtickets</a>.

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsNebraska opened play in the Big Ten Tournament with a 15-2 loss vs. Ohio State on Tuesday night at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha.Nebraska (34-20) scored two runs on four hits, while Ohio State (29-24) totaled 15 runs on 15 hits.Josh Caron went 1-for-2 with a solo homer, while Dylan Carey had a 1-for-3 night with an RBI single. Gabe Swansen and Garrett Anglim recorded a double each for the Husker offense.Jackson Brockett dropped to 2-2 on the season, surrendering three runs on seven hits in three innings. The southpaw struck out three Buckeyes without issuing a free pass. Bobby Olsen and Caleb Clark combined for one inning in relief.Tucker Timmerman worked a scoreless inning, while Ty Horn picked up four strikeouts in two hitless innings.Ohio State took the first lead of the night with a pair of runs behind three hits in the second inning. A solo homer into the Husker bullpen broke the scoreless tie, while a two-out RBI double doubled the advantage to 2-0 through two innings.A trio of hits in the third added another run for the Buckeyes, while an eight-run frame in the fourth extended the lead to 11.Nebraska plated its first run of the night with Caron’s solo home run to right-center in the bottom of the fourth.The Buckeyes tacked on four more runs in the fifth to build the lead to 15-1, while the Huskers scored their second run with Carey’s RBI single to left field.Horn struck out a pair of Buckeyes in the top of the seventh to pick up his third and fourth strikeouts of the game to preserve the shutout two-inning performance.NU had a pair of baserunners in the bottom of the seventh after Anglim’s pinch-hit one-out double and a two-out walk to Rhett Stokes, but the Huskers couldn’t cut into the deficit, leading to Ohio State’s 15-2 run-rule win in seven innings on Tuesday night.Nebraska takes on sixth-seeded Purdue tomorrow in an elimination game tomorrow night at 7 p.m. at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha. Single-day tickets are available at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bigten.org/baseballtickets" target="_blank">www.bigten.org/baseballtickets</a>.

Huskers fall vs. Buckeyes on Tuesday

Story by NU Athletic Communications&nbsp;

Nebraska track and field will have 53 entries competing at the NCAA West Preliminary Round this week at John McDonnell Field in Fayetteville, Ark.

Athletes who rank among the top 48 in their respective events earned berths into the NCAA West Preliminary Round, as well as the 24 best relay times.

At the NCAA West Preliminary Round, the top 12 competitors from each individual event and the top 12 teams from each relay event will advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championships, hosted in Eugene, Ore. The list of qualifiers from each event contested in the first rounds will be announced by 4 p.m. (CT) on Sunday, May 26. The final list of the championships competition participants will be announced by 2 p.m. (CT) on Tuesday, May 28.

The four-day regional meet will have the men compete on Wednesday and Friday, while the women will compete on Thursday and Saturday.&nbsp;

NCAA West Preliminary Round Meet InformationDates:&nbsp;May 22-25Location:&nbsp;Fayetteville, Ark. (John McDonnell Field)Times (CT):&nbsp;Wednesday - Field Events: 10 a.m. / Running Events: 6 p.m.; Thursday - Field Events: 10 a.m. / Running Events: 6 p.m.; Friday - Field Events: 1 p.m. / Running Events: 5 p.m.; Saturday - Field Events: 1 p.m. / Running Events: 5 p.m.Meet Schedule:&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.googleapis.com/huskers-com-prod/2024/04/12/cgfMKd9bLy75VfrUJyKj1LHNrEhwH4qn3UHR3ccz.pdf" target="_blank">Link</a>Watch:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.espn.com/espnplus/player/_/id/f52cc26c-2c17-4da9-98f8-0ed48e51605d" target="_blank">Wednesday</a>&nbsp;/&nbsp;<a href="https://www.espn.com/espnplus/player/_/id/619e6e1c-6148-49b9-a534-20e7ca1c4070" target="_blank">Thursday</a>&nbsp;/&nbsp;<a href="https://www.espn.com/espnplus/player/_/id/0d743488-4ca7-4ab5-9274-858435147e7e" target="_blank">Friday</a>&nbsp;/&nbsp;<a href="https://www.espn.com/espnplus/player/_/id/4bb35922-52d8-464b-91a6-50748921f6e9" target="_blank">Saturday</a>Live Results:&nbsp;<a href="https://flashresults.ncaa.com/Outdoor/2024/FirstRounds/West/index.htm" target="_blank">Link</a>

Men (23)1. Tyus Wilson, High Jump, 7-6 (2.29m)1. Darius Luff, 110m Hurdles, 13.252. Dash Sirmon, Javelin, 265-3 (80.86m)3. Terrol Wilson, Triple Jump, 53-10 ¼ (16.41m)4. Micaylon Moore, Triple Jump, 53-6 ¼ (16.31m)5. Kevin Shubert, Shot Put, 64-11 ¼ (19.79m)5. Garrett Kaalund, 200m, 20.338. Cade Moran, Discus, 196-9 (59.96m)10. Niko Schultz, 800m, 1:47.40&nbsp;14. Micaylon Moore, Long Jump, 25-9 ½ (7.86m)15. Cade Moran, Shot Put, 61-4 ¾ (18.71m)16. Tyler Brown, Javelin, 234-7 (71.50m)18. Henry Zimmerman, Hammer Throw, 223-4 (68.07m)19. Brett Schwartz, Discus, 191-0 (58.22m)25. Mason Kooi, High Jump, 7-0 ¼ (2.14m)32. Tyler Brown, Discus, 185-4 (56.48m)33. Brithton Senior, 110m Hurdles, 13.8134. Reid Nelson, High Jump, 6-11 (2.11m)37. Kavian Kerr, 200m, 20.7647. Seth Schnakenberg, Hammer Throw, 203-8 (62.08m)48. Kavian Kerr, Long Jump, 24-9 (7.54m)6. 4x400m Relay (Pierce, Kaalund, Schultz, Bryant), 3:03.3113. 4x100m Relay (Luff, Kerr, Kaalund, Smith), 39.31

Women (30)1. Rhema Otabor, Javelin, 193-11 (59.12m)3. Axelina Johansson, Shot Put, 61-9 (18.82m)8. Mine De Klerk, Shot Put, 57-6 ½ (17.54m)9. Rhianna Phipps, Triple Jump, 43-11 ¾ (13.40m)10. Ashley McElmurry, Triple Jump, 43-10 ½ (13.37m)11. Eniko Sara, Javelin, 177-11 (54.23m)12. Mirta Kulisic, Javelin, 175-3 (53.41m)12. Amelia Flynt, Shot Put, 56-1 (17.09m)13. Emanuela Casadei, Javelin, 175-0 (53.35m)14. Kalynn Meyer, Discus, 188-11 (57.58m)14. Hillevi Carlsson, Hammer Throw, 207-6 (63.25m)19. Berlyn Schutz, 1500m, 4:17.3121. Cammy Garabian, Hammer Throw, 202-4 (61.68m)22. Lotavia Brown, Triple Jump, 42-7 ½ (12.99m)26. Lishanna Ilves, Long Jump, 21-0 (6.40m)26. Mine De Klerk, Discus, 181-0 (55.17m)26. Kalynn Meyer, Shot Put, 53-8 ¼ (16.36m)28. Velecia Williams, Long Jump, 20-9 ¼ (6.33m)28. Abrielle Artley, 400m Hurdles, 58.1429. Darby Thomas, 100m, 11.3530. Jenna Rogers, High Jump, 5-10 ½ (1.79m)33. Amelia Flynt, Discus, 177-2 (54.01m)34. Taya Skelton, 3000m Steeplechase, 10:23.1134. Jessica Gardner, Pole Vault, 13-8 ¼ (4.17m)34. Ashley McElmurry, Long Jump, 20-5 ¼ (6.23m)42. Johanna Ilves, 100m Hurdles, 13.4242. Bariborve Deebom, Long Jump, 20-4 ¼ (6.20m)43. Kellyn Kortemeyer, Shot Put, 51-5 ¾ (15.69m)46. Kylie Clark, Pole Vault, 13-4 ½ (4.08m)48. Brooklyn Miller, High Jump, 5-8 ½ (1.74m)

Story by NU Athletic Communications&nbsp;Nebraska track and field will have 53 entries competing at the NCAA West Preliminary Round this week at John McDonnell Field in Fayetteville, Ark.Athletes who rank among the top 48 in their respective events earned berths into the NCAA West Preliminary Round, as well as the 24 best relay times.At the NCAA West Preliminary Round, the top 12 competitors from each individual event and the top 12 teams from each relay event will advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championships, hosted in Eugene, Ore. The list of qualifiers from each event contested in the first rounds will be announced by 4 p.m. (CT) on Sunday, May 26. The final list of the championships competition participants will be announced by 2 p.m. (CT) on Tuesday, May 28.The four-day regional meet will have the men compete on Wednesday and Friday, while the women will compete on Thursday and Saturday.&nbsp;NCAA West Preliminary Round Meet InformationDates:&nbsp;May 22-25Location:&nbsp;Fayetteville, Ark. (John McDonnell Field)Times (CT):&nbsp;Wednesday - Field Events: 10 a.m. / Running Events: 6 p.m.; Thursday - Field Events: 10 a.m. / Running Events: 6 p.m.; Friday - Field Events: 1 p.m. / Running Events: 5 p.m.; Saturday - Field Events: 1 p.m. / Running Events: 5 p.m.Meet Schedule:&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.googleapis.com/huskers-com-prod/2024/04/12/cgfMKd9bLy75VfrUJyKj1LHNrEhwH4qn3UHR3ccz.pdf" target="_blank">Link</a>Watch:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.espn.com/espnplus/player/_/id/f52cc26c-2c17-4da9-98f8-0ed48e51605d" target="_blank">Wednesday</a>&nbsp;/&nbsp;<a href="https://www.espn.com/espnplus/player/_/id/619e6e1c-6148-49b9-a534-20e7ca1c4070" target="_blank">Thursday</a>&nbsp;/&nbsp;<a href="https://www.espn.com/espnplus/player/_/id/0d743488-4ca7-4ab5-9274-858435147e7e" target="_blank">Friday</a>&nbsp;/&nbsp;<a href="https://www.espn.com/espnplus/player/_/id/4bb35922-52d8-464b-91a6-50748921f6e9" target="_blank">Saturday</a>Live Results:&nbsp;<a href="https://flashresults.ncaa.com/Outdoor/2024/FirstRounds/West/index.htm" target="_blank">Link</a>Men (23)1. Tyus Wilson, High Jump, 7-6 (2.29m)1. Darius Luff, 110m Hurdles, 13.252. Dash Sirmon, Javelin, 265-3 (80.86m)3. Terrol Wilson, Triple Jump, 53-10 ¼ (16.41m)4. Micaylon Moore, Triple Jump, 53-6 ¼ (16.31m)5. Kevin Shubert, Shot Put, 64-11 ¼ (19.79m)5. Garrett Kaalund, 200m, 20.338. Cade Moran, Discus, 196-9 (59.96m)10. Niko Schultz, 800m, 1:47.40&nbsp;14. Micaylon Moore, Long Jump, 25-9 ½ (7.86m)15. Cade Moran, Shot Put, 61-4 ¾ (18.71m)16. Tyler Brown, Javelin, 234-7 (71.50m)18. Henry Zimmerman, Hammer Throw, 223-4 (68.07m)19. Brett Schwartz, Discus, 191-0 (58.22m)25. Mason Kooi, High Jump, 7-0 ¼ (2.14m)32. Tyler Brown, Discus, 185-4 (56.48m)33. Brithton Senior, 110m Hurdles, 13.8134. Reid Nelson, High Jump, 6-11 (2.11m)37. Kavian Kerr, 200m, 20.7647. Seth Schnakenberg, Hammer Throw, 203-8 (62.08m)48. Kavian Kerr, Long Jump, 24-9 (7.54m)6. 4x400m Relay (Pierce, Kaalund, Schultz, Bryant), 3:03.3113. 4x100m Relay (Luff, Kerr, Kaalund, Smith), 39.31Women (30)1. Rhema Otabor, Javelin, 193-11 (59.12m)3. Axelina Johansson, Shot Put, 61-9 (18.82m)8. Mine De Klerk, Shot Put, 57-6 ½ (17.54m)9. Rhianna Phipps, Triple Jump, 43-11 ¾ (13.40m)10. Ashley McElmurry, Triple Jump, 43-10 ½ (13.37m)11. Eniko Sara, Javelin, 177-11 (54.23m)12. Mirta Kulisic, Javelin, 175-3 (53.41m)12. Amelia Flynt, Shot Put, 56-1 (17.09m)13. Emanuela Casadei, Javelin, 175-0 (53.35m)14. Kalynn Meyer, Discus, 188-11 (57.58m)14. Hillevi Carlsson, Hammer Throw, 207-6 (63.25m)19. Berlyn Schutz, 1500m, 4:17.3121. Cammy Garabian, Hammer Throw, 202-4 (61.68m)22. Lotavia Brown, Triple Jump, 42-7 ½ (12.99m)26. Lishanna Ilves, Long Jump, 21-0 (6.40m)26. Mine De Klerk, Discus, 181-0 (55.17m)26. Kalynn Meyer, Shot Put, 53-8 ¼ (16.36m)28. Velecia Williams, Long Jump, 20-9 ¼ (6.33m)28. Abrielle Artley, 400m Hurdles, 58.1429. Darby Thomas, 100m, 11.3530. Jenna Rogers, High Jump, 5-10 ½ (1.79m)33. Amelia Flynt, Discus, 177-2 (54.01m)34. Taya Skelton, 3000m Steeplechase, 10:23.1134. Jessica Gardner, Pole Vault, 13-8 ¼ (4.17m)34. Ashley McElmurry, Long Jump, 20-5 ¼ (6.23m)42. Johanna Ilves, 100m Hurdles, 13.4242. Bariborve Deebom, Long Jump, 20-4 ¼ (6.20m)43. Kellyn Kortemeyer, Shot Put, 51-5 ¾ (15.69m)46. Kylie Clark, Pole Vault, 13-4 ½ (4.08m)48. Brooklyn Miller, High Jump, 5-8 ½ (1.74m)

Huskers look to NCAA West Preliminary Round

Story by UNK Athletic Communications&nbsp;

Kearney, Neb. –&nbsp;The 15th-ranked&nbsp;Nebraska-Kearney&nbsp;women’s tennis team rallied to take the doubles point and won three singles matches in straight sets to down 23rd-ranked Azusa (Calif.) Pacific,&nbsp;<a href="https://lopers.com/sports/womens-tennis/stats/2023-24/-23-azusa-pacific-ca-/boxscore/7993" target="_blank">4-1</a>, Monday morning in an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncaa.com/brackets/tennis-women/d2/2024" target="_blank">NCAA Tournament Sweet 16</a>&nbsp;match in Altamonte Springs, Fla.

The eighth-seeded Lopers (21-5) advance to the Elite 8 for the first time in program history where they’ll face top-seed and six-time defending national champion Barry, Fla. (21-4). The match is set to start at 3 p.m. Central Tuesday with temps expected to be in the high 90's.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.statbroadcast.com/events/statbroadcast.php?t=1&amp;gid=roll" target="_blank">Live results</a>&nbsp;will be available with live video starting in the Final Four.&nbsp;Back in February at the Ernest Grundy Tennis Center in&nbsp;Kearney, the BU Buccaneers downed the Lopers, 5-1, in an ITA National Team Indoor Championships dual. Barry also won a 2023 match between the two, 4-0.&nbsp;To hand APU (21-3) just its third loss of the season, UNK had to dig themselves out of a doubles hole. The Cougars won at two, 6-1, and were up 4-3 at three and 3-0 at one.&nbsp;Azusa&nbsp;has Division II’s top-ranked doubles pair in senior Madison Kane and graduate&nbsp;Miruna&nbsp;Tudor, a transfer from Wisconsin.

However,&nbsp;UNK’s&nbsp;31st-ranked tandem of&nbsp;Melisa Becerra&nbsp;(Colombia) and&nbsp;Narindra Ranaivo&nbsp;(Madagascar) not only came back from that 3-0 hole but also a 5-1 deficit to win, 7-6 (-5). That was the clincher as junior&nbsp;Alexis Bernthal&nbsp;(Boulder, Colo.) and senior&nbsp;Jazmin&nbsp;Zamorano&nbsp;(Mexico) rallied from a 5-4 deficit to win at three, 7-5.

 Becerra and&nbsp;Ranaivo&nbsp;are now 30-2 with&nbsp;Bernthal&nbsp;and Zamorano picking up their first doubles victory in a dual this season. Finally, Kane and Tudor finish up 17-3.In singles, APU got on the board when the eighth-ranked Kane won in straight sets at one. Freshman&nbsp;Tanya Midzi&nbsp;(Zimbabwe) rolled at six (-2, -0) over regionally-ranked Shannele Lopez and then&nbsp;Ranaivo&nbsp;and freshman&nbsp;Fabiana Gamboa&nbsp;(Venezuela) closed things out. Ranked 12th in the region,&nbsp;Ranaivo&nbsp;got past regionally-ranked Vini Bautista (-4, -1) at three with the 45th-ranked Gamboa besting the 48th-ranked Tudor (-4, -1).&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Story by UNK Athletic Communications&nbsp;Kearney, Neb. –&nbsp;The 15th-ranked&nbsp;Nebraska-Kearney&nbsp;women’s tennis team rallied to take the doubles point and won three singles matches in straight sets to down 23rd-ranked Azusa (Calif.) Pacific,&nbsp;<a href="https://lopers.com/sports/womens-tennis/stats/2023-24/-23-azusa-pacific-ca-/boxscore/7993" target="_blank">4-1</a>, Monday morning in an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncaa.com/brackets/tennis-women/d2/2024" target="_blank">NCAA Tournament Sweet 16</a>&nbsp;match in Altamonte Springs, Fla.The eighth-seeded Lopers (21-5) advance to the Elite 8 for the first time in program history where they’ll face top-seed and six-time defending national champion Barry, Fla. (21-4). The match is set to start at 3 p.m. Central Tuesday with temps expected to be in the high 90's.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.statbroadcast.com/events/statbroadcast.php?t=1&amp;gid=roll" target="_blank">Live results</a>&nbsp;will be available with live video starting in the Final Four.&nbsp;Back in February at the Ernest Grundy Tennis Center in&nbsp;Kearney, the BU Buccaneers downed the Lopers, 5-1, in an ITA National Team Indoor Championships dual. Barry also won a 2023 match between the two, 4-0.&nbsp;To hand APU (21-3) just its third loss of the season, UNK had to dig themselves out of a doubles hole. The Cougars won at two, 6-1, and were up 4-3 at three and 3-0 at one.&nbsp;Azusa&nbsp;has Division II’s top-ranked doubles pair in senior Madison Kane and graduate&nbsp;Miruna&nbsp;Tudor, a transfer from Wisconsin.However,&nbsp;UNK’s&nbsp;31st-ranked tandem of&nbsp;Melisa Becerra&nbsp;(Colombia) and&nbsp;Narindra Ranaivo&nbsp;(Madagascar) not only came back from that 3-0 hole but also a 5-1 deficit to win, 7-6 (-5). That was the clincher as junior&nbsp;Alexis Bernthal&nbsp;(Boulder, Colo.) and senior&nbsp;Jazmin&nbsp;Zamorano&nbsp;(Mexico) rallied from a 5-4 deficit to win at three, 7-5. Becerra and&nbsp;Ranaivo&nbsp;are now 30-2 with&nbsp;Bernthal&nbsp;and Zamorano picking up their first doubles victory in a dual this season. Finally, Kane and Tudor finish up 17-3.In singles, APU got on the board when the eighth-ranked Kane won in straight sets at one. Freshman&nbsp;Tanya Midzi&nbsp;(Zimbabwe) rolled at six (-2, -0) over regionally-ranked Shannele Lopez and then&nbsp;Ranaivo&nbsp;and freshman&nbsp;Fabiana Gamboa&nbsp;(Venezuela) closed things out. Ranked 12th in the region,&nbsp;Ranaivo&nbsp;got past regionally-ranked Vini Bautista (-4, -1) at three with the 45th-ranked Gamboa besting the 48th-ranked Tudor (-4, -1).&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Becerra & Ranaivo rally past D2’s Top-Ranked Doubles Team

Radio: Huskers Radio Network, Huskers.com, Huskers App

• Every game of the 2024 Big Ten Baseball Tournament can be seen on Big Ten Network. Connor Onion and Danan Hughes will be on the call on BTN on Tuesday afternoon.

• Fans can also listen to Dave Gustafson Ben McLaughlin call the action this week on the Huskers Radio Network.

• Every game this season can be heard for free on Huskers.com and the Official Nebraska Huskers App for both iOS and android devices.

• Through 35 all-time meetings, Nebraska holds an 21-14 advantage over the Buckeyes in the all-time series.

• The Huskers took two of three games from Ohio State in a weekend series earlier this season in Lincoln.

• Tuesday’s matchup marks the sixth meeting between the two programs in the Big Ten Tournament. The Buckeyes have won three of the five meetings in the Big Ten Tournament after picking up a 3-1 win against the Big Red in 2019.

• This week marks the ninth Big Ten Tournament the Huskers have appeared in since joining the Big Ten in 2012.

• Nebraska holds a 14-15 record in 29 all-time games in the Big Ten Tournament, including an 8-7 mark in the four seasons the tournament has been played in Omaha.

Clark’s Mid-Season Evolution on the Mound

• It’s been a tale of two seasons in 2024 for Caleb Clark. After a slow start to the year, the southpaw has come on strong, providing key outings in crucial moments for the NU pitching staff in the last month.

• The sophomore has made 10 outings since Nebraska’s series at Rutgers in mid-April, allowing just eight earned runs in 21 innings for a 3.43 ERA.

• Clark has limited opposing hitters to a .173 hitting clip since making the change on the mound and has tallied 24 punchouts to nine walks.

Husker Duo Climb Strikeout List in Big Ten Era

• Brett Sears and Mason McConnaughey rank among leaders in single-season strikeouts by an NU pitcher since the Huskers joined the Big Ten in 2012.

• Sears has 87 strikeouts this season, which are third-most by a Husker in the Big Ten era and just one away from tying Cade Povich (2021) in second.

• McConnaughey ranks tied for seventh on the list with 70 strikeouts this year, just two shy of tying Shay Schanaman in sixth.

Middle-Third Production Boosting the Big Red

• Nebraska has been successful the second time through the lineup on the mound and in the batter’s box, outscoring opponents 151-75 in the middle-third innings this season.

• The Huskers hold a 54-20 advantage in the fourth inning, while outscoring opponents 45-20 in the fifth inning and 52-35 in the sixth inning.

• The Husker offense is hitting .306 at the plate with 76 extra-base hits and 141 RBI in the fourth through sixth innings, while the NU pitching staff is limiting opponents to a .237 hitting clip and a 3.84 ERA in the middle-third innings.

Sanderson’s Early Impact at Collegiate Level

• Freshman Case Sanderson leads the Huskers with a .373 batting average along with four doubles, a triple, two home runs and 21 RBI across 45 games, including 34 starts.

• The Nevada, Mo., native has reached base in 24 of his last 25 games and is hitting .385 (30-for-78) with six extra-base hits and 12 RBI over that span.

• Sanderson has reached base at a .510 clip this season for the Huskers, which ranks 19th in the nation and second in the Big Ten.

• Riley Silva is one of five D1 players to steal 31-plus bases and be caught three-or-fewer times, joining K-State’s Brendan Jones as the only Power Five players this season.

• Silva is the 10th NU player since 2000 to swipe at least 20 bases, and the first Husker to steal 30-or-more bases in a season since Jamal Strong (35) in 2000.

Worthley, Daiss Holding Down the Husker Bullpen

• NU’s set-up man, Jalen Worthley, is 3-0 with a 3.64 ERA and four saves across a bullpen-high 29.1 innings. The southpaw has made a team-high 10 multi-inning relief appearances for NU and punched out 28 batters while issuing just six walks.

• The Huskers’ closer, Casey Daiss, leads the Big Red in saves (5) and boasts a 3.48 ERA across 20.2 innings of work. Daiss has held opponents scoreless in 15 of his 19 appearances this season for the Big Red.

Silva Plunked Third-Most Times in Season

• Riley Silva has been hit by pitch 23 times this season, which is third-most in program history.

• Silva is one away from tying Corey Miller (1996) in second and five shy of the program record of 28 set by Daniel Bruce in 2002.

• Tyler Stone is batting .313 with eight home runs and 33 RBI for the Big Red, while Ben Columbus has posted a .309 average this season with four doubles, five home runs and 26 RBI.

• Cole Evans is hitting .265 this season with 10 doubles, five home runs, and 40 RBI over a team-high 53 games played, including 46 starts.

• Dylan Carey has hits in 16 of his last 24 games and leads the Big Red with 15 doubles, raising his batting average from .236 to .261 over that span.

• Rhett Stokes holds a .339 batting average with 11 doubles, a home run and 15 RBI, while Cayden Brumbaugh is hitting .323 with 11 doubles, three triples and 19 RBI.

• Garrett Anglim holds a .255 batting average this season with seven doubles, two homers and 22 RBI. Joshua Overbeek is batting .282 with 10 extra-base hits, 22 RBI and 34 runs scored.

• Rans Sanders has a 4.05 ERA for the Huskers across 13.1 innings with a pair of saves, allowing six earned runs this season.

• Kyle Perry’s 23 relief appearances lead all NU relievers as the senior is 1-2 with a 5.89 ERA and a career-high tying three saves.

• Evan Borst is limiting opponents to a .182 batting average (8-for-44) this season, posting 15 strikeouts over 12.1 innings of work.&nbsp;

• Kyle Froehlich has appeared in 18 games for the Huskers, punching out 18 batters while issuing five walks across 18.1 innings.

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsNEBRASKA vs. OHIO STATEMay 21, 2024Omaha, Neb. | Charles Schwab FieldTuesday, May 21 – 2 p.m. CTPitching: TBD vs. TBDTV/Streaming: BTNRadio: Huskers Radio Network, Huskers.com, Huskers AppFollow the Game• Every game of the 2024 Big Ten Baseball Tournament can be seen on Big Ten Network. Connor Onion and Danan Hughes will be on the call on BTN on Tuesday afternoon.• Fans can also listen to Dave Gustafson Ben McLaughlin call the action this week on the Huskers Radio Network.• Every game this season can be heard for free on Huskers.com and the Official Nebraska Huskers App for both iOS and android devices.Nebraska vs. Ohio State• Through 35 all-time meetings, Nebraska holds an 21-14 advantage over the Buckeyes in the all-time series.• The Huskers took two of three games from Ohio State in a weekend series earlier this season in Lincoln.• Tuesday’s matchup marks the sixth meeting between the two programs in the Big Ten Tournament. The Buckeyes have won three of the five meetings in the Big Ten Tournament after picking up a 3-1 win against the Big Red in 2019.Huskers in the Big Ten Tournament• This week marks the ninth Big Ten Tournament the Huskers have appeared in since joining the Big Ten in 2012.• Nebraska holds a 14-15 record in 29 all-time games in the Big Ten Tournament, including an 8-7 mark in the four seasons the tournament has been played in Omaha.Clark’s Mid-Season Evolution on the Mound• It’s been a tale of two seasons in 2024 for Caleb Clark. After a slow start to the year, the southpaw has come on strong, providing key outings in crucial moments for the NU pitching staff in the last month.• The sophomore has made 10 outings since Nebraska’s series at Rutgers in mid-April, allowing just eight earned runs in 21 innings for a 3.43 ERA.• Clark has limited opposing hitters to a .173 hitting clip since making the change on the mound and has tallied 24 punchouts to nine walks.Husker Duo Climb Strikeout List in Big Ten Era• Brett Sears and Mason McConnaughey rank among leaders in single-season strikeouts by an NU pitcher since the Huskers joined the Big Ten in 2012.• Sears has 87 strikeouts this season, which are third-most by a Husker in the Big Ten era and just one away from tying Cade Povich (2021) in second.• McConnaughey ranks tied for seventh on the list with 70 strikeouts this year, just two shy of tying Shay Schanaman in sixth.Middle-Third Production Boosting the Big Red• Nebraska has been successful the second time through the lineup on the mound and in the batter’s box, outscoring opponents 151-75 in the middle-third innings this season.• The Huskers hold a 54-20 advantage in the fourth inning, while outscoring opponents 45-20 in the fifth inning and 52-35 in the sixth inning.• The Husker offense is hitting .306 at the plate with 76 extra-base hits and 141 RBI in the fourth through sixth innings, while the NU pitching staff is limiting opponents to a .237 hitting clip and a 3.84 ERA in the middle-third innings.Sanderson’s Early Impact at Collegiate Level• Freshman Case Sanderson leads the Huskers with a .373 batting average along with four doubles, a triple, two home runs and 21 RBI across 45 games, including 34 starts.• The Nevada, Mo., native has reached base in 24 of his last 25 games and is hitting .385 (30-for-78) with six extra-base hits and 12 RBI over that span.• Sanderson has reached base at a .510 clip this season for the Huskers, which ranks 19th in the nation and second in the Big Ten.Silva’s Speed With Stolen Bases• Riley Silva is one of five D1 players to steal 31-plus bases and be caught three-or-fewer times, joining K-State’s Brendan Jones as the only Power Five players this season.• Silva is the 10th NU player since 2000 to swipe at least 20 bases, and the first Husker to steal 30-or-more bases in a season since Jamal Strong (35) in 2000.Worthley, Daiss Holding Down the Husker Bullpen• NU’s set-up man, Jalen Worthley, is 3-0 with a 3.64 ERA and four saves across a bullpen-high 29.1 innings. The southpaw has made a team-high 10 multi-inning relief appearances for NU and punched out 28 batters while issuing just six walks.• The Huskers’ closer, Casey Daiss, leads the Big Red in saves (5) and boasts a 3.48 ERA across 20.2 innings of work. Daiss has held opponents scoreless in 15 of his 19 appearances this season for the Big Red.Silva Plunked Third-Most Times in Season• Riley Silva has been hit by pitch 23 times this season, which is third-most in program history.• Silva is one away from tying Corey Miller (1996) in second and five shy of the program record of 28 set by Daniel Bruce in 2002.Bats in the Nebraska Lineup• Tyler Stone is batting .313 with eight home runs and 33 RBI for the Big Red, while Ben Columbus has posted a .309 average this season with four doubles, five home runs and 26 RBI.• Cole Evans is hitting .265 this season with 10 doubles, five home runs, and 40 RBI over a team-high 53 games played, including 46 starts.• Dylan Carey has hits in 16 of his last 24 games and leads the Big Red with 15 doubles, raising his batting average from .236 to .261 over that span.• Rhett Stokes holds a .339 batting average with 11 doubles, a home run and 15 RBI, while Cayden Brumbaugh is hitting .323 with 11 doubles, three triples and 19 RBI.• Garrett Anglim holds a .255 batting average this season with seven doubles, two homers and 22 RBI. Joshua Overbeek is batting .282 with 10 extra-base hits, 22 RBI and 34 runs scored.Huskers in the Pen• Rans Sanders has a 4.05 ERA for the Huskers across 13.1 innings with a pair of saves, allowing six earned runs this season.• Kyle Perry’s 23 relief appearances lead all NU relievers as the senior is 1-2 with a 5.89 ERA and a career-high tying three saves.• Evan Borst is limiting opponents to a .182 batting average (8-for-44) this season, posting 15 strikeouts over 12.1 innings of work.&nbsp;• Kyle Froehlich has appeared in 18 games for the Huskers, punching out 18 batters while issuing five walks across 18.1 innings.

Big Ten Tournament preview & notes for #2 Nebraska Vs. #7 Ohio State

FNBO Nationals Baseball: Adams Bank and Trust Ogallala Vs. FNBO Nationals

Story by Omaha Supernovas Communication

OMAHA, Neb. —&nbsp;From preseason favorites to first-ever champions, the&nbsp;Omaha Supernovas&nbsp;(18-8) swept the Grand Rapids Rise (13-13) 25-13, 26-24, 25-22 Saturday in front of 10,678 to become the inaugural PVF Champions.&nbsp;

Saturday marked the third sweep in the month of May for the Supernovas. Omaha had three sweeps combined in the previous three months.&nbsp;

During the trophy presentation, Supernovas setter&nbsp;Sydney Hilley&nbsp;was awarded the&nbsp;Postseason MVP&nbsp;and a $10,000 bonus as the Wisconsin graduate came off the bench to guide the Omaha offense to two victories. Hilley dished out 40 assists and six digs in the three sets as the Supernovas hit .342 for their second-highest hitting percentage of the season. That was after handing out 46 assists and nine digs in the reverse sweep over San Diego in the semifinals.&nbsp;

Olympian&nbsp;Bethania de la Cruz&nbsp;paced the Omaha attackers with 13 kills on a .423 clip to go with eight digs and her league-leading 35th ace of the season.&nbsp;Stephanie Samedy&nbsp;matched her teammate with 13 kills on a .346 hitting percentage including one ace and one block. Samedy finished the postseason with 43 total kills on a .391 clip in two matches with 13 digs, three blocks and two aces. Team captain&nbsp;Brooke Nuneviller&nbsp;was third Supernovas player to reach double-digit kills with 12 along with 15 digs.&nbsp;

Middle blockers&nbsp;Hristina Vuchkova&nbsp;and&nbsp;Tori Dixon&nbsp;combined for 12 kills on a .550 clip and five blocks. Vuchkova hit .750 with seven kills and one error on eight swings. She tallied a match-high three blocks. Dixon had no hitting errors with five kills on 12 swings. She earned a pair of blocks. Libero&nbsp;Kendall White&nbsp;finished her season with nine digs and two assists.&nbsp;

Omaha recorded two aces along with seven blocks.&nbsp;

Grand Rapids was led by star attackers Claire Chaussee and Emiliya Dimitrova. Chaussee totaled 12 kills and seven digs while Dimitrova also recorded 12 kills and 11 digs in her final professional volleyball match.&nbsp;

Set 1:&nbsp;The Supernovas started the set with a 4-0 run behind the serve of de la Cruz. Nuneviller’s second kill of the match doubled the Omaha lead at 8-4. The Supernovas put three consecutive points on the board to force a Rise timeout at 13-6. Dimitrova sided out for the Rise. De la Cruz recorded her first ace serve of the match for a 16-8 Omaha lead. Nuneviller’s fifth kill got Omaha to the 20-point mark first. Samedy served up an ace for a 23-10 lead and forced a Grand Rapids timeout. The Rise took the two points out of the timeout, but a Nuneviller kill gave Omaha a set point. De la Cruz ended the set with a kill at 25-13. The Supernovas recorded 17 kills on the set with only one error for a .615 hitting percentage and held the Rise to nine kills and a .115 hitting percentage.

Set 2:&nbsp;Vuchkova posted her second block of the match to put Omaha up 6-5. Dimitrova answered with her third kill of the set. Grand Rapids took the two-point lead at 9-7 after a Chaussee kill. A Dixon kill tied the set at 11-11, but Dimitrova put the Rise ahead 12-11. Nuneviller ended a marathon rally with her eighth kill of the match to even the score at 13s. The Rise regained the two-point lead after kills by Chaussee and Kayla Caffey. Nuneviller got to double-digit kills at 21-21. The Rise took the following two points for a 23-21 advantage. Samedy gave the ball back to Omaha and de la Cruz followed-up with a kill of her own. Another de la Cruz kill brought the Supernovas to set point. Omaha was awarded the 25th point and the set win, but a smart challenge by Cathy George and the Rise kept the set going and tied the score at 24. A de la Cruz kill and a Dixon block gave Omaha the 26-24 set win. Four Supernovas had four or more kills on the set. Chaussee led the way for the Rise with six.

Set 3:&nbsp;The Supernovas took the first three points of the set. Erika Pritchard got the Rise on the board with her fourth kill. A Samedy kill put Omaha up three at 9-6. De la Cruz followed up with a kill to extend the Supernovas’ lead. A block by Hilley put Omaha up 11-7. Samedy’s 12th kill put Omaha up 15-10, but Dimitrova got the ball back for the Rise, and they took the next two points to cut the Omaha lead to 15-13. Vuchkova found her offensive stride and gave Omaha a three-point lead at 17-14. The Rise tied it up at 19s, but a Samedy kill gave Omaha the lead back. Back-to-back Omaha points put them up 22-20 and forced a Grand Rapids timeout. Vuchkova’s seventh kill gave Omaha championship point. The Rise fought off one match point, but a Grand Rapids service error ended the set and gave Omaha the 25-22 set win and the inaugural Pro Volleyball Federation Championship. De la Cruz and Samedy led the Supernovas with five kills apiece. Samedy also added a block in the final set of the season.

Story by Omaha Supernovas CommunicationOMAHA, Neb. —&nbsp;From preseason favorites to first-ever champions, the&nbsp;Omaha Supernovas&nbsp;(18-8) swept the Grand Rapids Rise (13-13) 25-13, 26-24, 25-22 Saturday in front of 10,678 to become the inaugural PVF Champions.&nbsp;Saturday marked the third sweep in the month of May for the Supernovas. Omaha had three sweeps combined in the previous three months.&nbsp;During the trophy presentation, Supernovas setter&nbsp;Sydney Hilley&nbsp;was awarded the&nbsp;Postseason MVP&nbsp;and a $10,000 bonus as the Wisconsin graduate came off the bench to guide the Omaha offense to two victories. Hilley dished out 40 assists and six digs in the three sets as the Supernovas hit .342 for their second-highest hitting percentage of the season. That was after handing out 46 assists and nine digs in the reverse sweep over San Diego in the semifinals.&nbsp;Olympian&nbsp;Bethania de la Cruz&nbsp;paced the Omaha attackers with 13 kills on a .423 clip to go with eight digs and her league-leading 35th ace of the season.&nbsp;Stephanie Samedy&nbsp;matched her teammate with 13 kills on a .346 hitting percentage including one ace and one block. Samedy finished the postseason with 43 total kills on a .391 clip in two matches with 13 digs, three blocks and two aces. Team captain&nbsp;Brooke Nuneviller&nbsp;was third Supernovas player to reach double-digit kills with 12 along with 15 digs.&nbsp;Middle blockers&nbsp;Hristina Vuchkova&nbsp;and&nbsp;Tori Dixon&nbsp;combined for 12 kills on a .550 clip and five blocks. Vuchkova hit .750 with seven kills and one error on eight swings. She tallied a match-high three blocks. Dixon had no hitting errors with five kills on 12 swings. She earned a pair of blocks. Libero&nbsp;Kendall White&nbsp;finished her season with nine digs and two assists.&nbsp;Omaha recorded two aces along with seven blocks.&nbsp;Grand Rapids was led by star attackers Claire Chaussee and Emiliya Dimitrova. Chaussee totaled 12 kills and seven digs while Dimitrova also recorded 12 kills and 11 digs in her final professional volleyball match.&nbsp;Set 1:&nbsp;The Supernovas started the set with a 4-0 run behind the serve of de la Cruz. Nuneviller’s second kill of the match doubled the Omaha lead at 8-4. The Supernovas put three consecutive points on the board to force a Rise timeout at 13-6. Dimitrova sided out for the Rise. De la Cruz recorded her first ace serve of the match for a 16-8 Omaha lead. Nuneviller’s fifth kill got Omaha to the 20-point mark first. Samedy served up an ace for a 23-10 lead and forced a Grand Rapids timeout. The Rise took the two points out of the timeout, but a Nuneviller kill gave Omaha a set point. De la Cruz ended the set with a kill at 25-13. The Supernovas recorded 17 kills on the set with only one error for a .615 hitting percentage and held the Rise to nine kills and a .115 hitting percentage.Set 2:&nbsp;Vuchkova posted her second block of the match to put Omaha up 6-5. Dimitrova answered with her third kill of the set. Grand Rapids took the two-point lead at 9-7 after a Chaussee kill. A Dixon kill tied the set at 11-11, but Dimitrova put the Rise ahead 12-11. Nuneviller ended a marathon rally with her eighth kill of the match to even the score at 13s. The Rise regained the two-point lead after kills by Chaussee and Kayla Caffey. Nuneviller got to double-digit kills at 21-21. The Rise took the following two points for a 23-21 advantage. Samedy gave the ball back to Omaha and de la Cruz followed-up with a kill of her own. Another de la Cruz kill brought the Supernovas to set point. Omaha was awarded the 25th point and the set win, but a smart challenge by Cathy George and the Rise kept the set going and tied the score at 24. A de la Cruz kill and a Dixon block gave Omaha the 26-24 set win. Four Supernovas had four or more kills on the set. Chaussee led the way for the Rise with six.Set 3:&nbsp;The Supernovas took the first three points of the set. Erika Pritchard got the Rise on the board with her fourth kill. A Samedy kill put Omaha up three at 9-6. De la Cruz followed up with a kill to extend the Supernovas’ lead. A block by Hilley put Omaha up 11-7. Samedy’s 12th kill put Omaha up 15-10, but Dimitrova got the ball back for the Rise, and they took the next two points to cut the Omaha lead to 15-13. Vuchkova found her offensive stride and gave Omaha a three-point lead at 17-14. The Rise tied it up at 19s, but a Samedy kill gave Omaha the lead back. Back-to-back Omaha points put them up 22-20 and forced a Grand Rapids timeout. Vuchkova’s seventh kill gave Omaha championship point. The Rise fought off one match point, but a Grand Rapids service error ended the set and gave Omaha the 25-22 set win and the inaugural Pro Volleyball Federation Championship. De la Cruz and Samedy led the Supernovas with five kills apiece. Samedy also added a block in the final set of the season.

Supernovas sweep Rise to become first-ever Pro Volleyball Federation Champions

Nebraska has claimed the No. 2 seed in next week’s Big Ten Baseball Tournament on May 21-26 at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha.

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsNebraska has claimed the No. 2 seed in next week’s Big Ten Baseball Tournament on May 21-26 at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha.The Huskers take on seventh-seeded Ohio State on Tuesday, May 21 at 2 p.m.The winner of No. 2 Nebraska and No. 7 Ohio State advances to take on winner of No. 3 Indiana and No. 6 Purdue on Thursday, May 23 at 2 p.m., while the losers face off in an elimination game on Wednesday, May 22 at 7 p.m.Tickets to next week’s Big Ten Baseball can be purchased at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bigten.org/baseballtickets" target="_blank">www.bigten.org/baseballtickets</a>. Every game of the Big Ten Baseball Tournament will be televised on the Big Ten Network, while fans can also listen to the action next week on the Huskers Radio Network.The complete 2024 Big Ten Baseball Tournament bracket can be found&nbsp;<a href="https://bigten.org/base/article/blt739b9d24b60d2cb5/" target="_blank">here</a>, while the tournament central page is located&nbsp;<a href="https://bigten.org/base/article/bltb02f7ee2424b465f/" target="_blank">here</a>.