As Class A and B Nebraska high school girls and boys track & field programs set their quest for Burke, district qualifying meets began on May 13 where Wayne High was in action.
From Blair High School, nine girls and 10 boys teams competed in the B-3 District Championships hosted by Blair.
The Wayne High girls tied for eighth with 31 points while the Blue Devil boys took eighth with 26 points.
Head Blue Devil track & field coach Jacob Daum said their five state qualifiers were only as great as the teammates around them.
"Our kids supported each other in every event whether that was standing at hurdles to push Elle Powicki, being at the pole vault to encourage Addison Frank and Grant Maas, or running on the infield to cheer on Kasen York and Alivia Kesting," said Daum. "Each of our athletes entered the track meet with goals in mind and did not let the steep competition stand in their way. The group that qualified stayed focused on their goals and worked until they had nothing left in their tanks to accomplish those."
In the girls division, Bennington was crowned B-3 District champion with 159 points well ahead of Columbus Lakeview who followed in runner-up (70.5), Pierce took third (57), Blair placed fourth (55) and Columbus Scotus rounded out the top five teams with 50 points.
Wayne High state qualifiers were led by junior Elle Powicki taking gold in the 100-meter hurdles (15.33), freshman Alivia Kesting collected a district runner-up finish during the 800-meter run (2:26.76) as sophomore Addison Frank placed third in the pole vault (9' 8").
Other Blue Devil points came from junior Nyla Bolles finishing fourth during the 400-meter dash (1:02.27), nearly five seconds from qualifying while taking fifth in the 300-meter hurdles (49.02), just under two seconds from a top three finish.
Junior Lilyan Hurner also placed sixth in the 3200-meter run (13:36.41).
During the boys division, Bennington was crowned B-3 District champion with 140.5 points, Fort Calhoun followed in runner-up (89), Blair took third (76), Columbus Lakeview placed fourth (62) and Pierce rounded out the top five teams with 53 points.
Wayne High state qualifiers were led by junior Grant Mass being crowned district champion in the pole vault (13' 6") while senior Kasen York took third during the 1600-meter run (4:46.97).
Coach Daum credits the success was contributed to the work and dedication that the Blue Devil coaching staff has put in.
"Coach (Dale) Hochstein deserves recognition for our success over the 2025 season. Coach Hochstein was my mentor and teacher in becoming the head coach for Wayne," Daum added. "He answered phone calls, emails and text messages this entire season when I found myself in a rut and was not quite sure on what to do next. Thankfully, he kept tabs on our athletes and celebrated their successes right along with us. I am extremely proud to be carrying on the tradition that he had started."
Other points came from the 4x800 of sophomore Emmanuel Gonzalez, junior Boden Dobbins, sophomore Thomas Raymundo Bacillio and York who finished third (8:36.97) and were just eight seconds off from qualifying for state. Sophomore Cole Zach took fifth in the high jump (5' 9"), two inches from qualifying for state.
Sixth place medals were posted by York in the 800-meter run (2:09.04) and junior Drew Miller during the 3200-meter run (11:39.09).
"I want to thank the entire 2025 track and field team for their accomplishments this season," Daum mentioned. "Their hardwork and dedication to each other made yesterday possible."
The 2025 NSAA Class A/B State Track & Field Championships will be held at Burke Stadium on Wednesday and Thursday, May 21 - 22.
