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OMAHA — Two Randolph sophomores closed out their track seasons in impressive style last week — on Nebraska’s biggest track and field stage.
Emily Gilliland and Abbey Backer represented the Cardinals at the Class D Nebraska Track and Field Championships, held May 22-23 at Burke Stadium in Omaha.
Gilliland earned the right to compete in two different running events for the Lady Cardinal track team.
She opened her state meet May 22 in the 400-meter dash, finishing 13th in Class D with a time of 1:1.61 seconds.
Clara Spargo of Dundy County-Stratton won the event in 57.59 seconds.
Gilliland returned to the track May 23 for the 800-meter run, where she finished 21st in 2:31.13.
Addison Critel of Burwell topped the field in the 800-meter run, covering the two-lap race in 2:22.76.
Backer competed in the triple jump for the Cardinals, placing 17th with a best mark of 331.25. Samantha Hueske of Nebraska Lutheran won the Class D triple jump title with a leap of 36-10.75.
Dundy County-Stratton ran away with the Class D girls’ team championship, piling up 70 points.
Wausa finished second with 49, while McCool Junction placed third with 47.
2026 Nebraska Class D girls track and field championships Randolph results
400-meter dash: 13. Emily Gilliland, 1:01.61. 800-meter run: 21. Emily Gilliland, 2:31.13. Triple jump: 17. Abbey Backer, 33-1.25.
