UNK Track And Field: 5 Major Reasons The Lopers Are Dominating The 2025-2026 Season
The University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) Track and Field program, known as the Lopers, is charging into the 2025-2026 season with record-breaking momentum, cementing its status as a powerhouse within the NCAA Division II landscape. As of today, December 26, 2025, the program is showcasing a potent blend of veteran leadership and breakout freshman talent, particularly in the throwing and distance events, setting the stage for a dramatic run at the upcoming MIAA Championships and the national stage.
The Lopers' success is a direct result of strategic coaching, a deep roster, and a culture of academic and athletic excellence. From the indoor circuit beginning with the UNK Pre-Holiday Classic to the final outdoor meets, UNK athletes are consistently posting All-MIAA performances and rewriting the school's record books, making them one of the most exciting teams to watch in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA).
The Lopers' Leadership: Head Coach Brady Bonsall and the 2025-2026 Coaching Staff
The foundation of any elite track and field program lies in its coaching staff, and the University of Nebraska at Kearney Lopers are guided by a team of experienced mentors who specialize across all major event groups. This leadership structure ensures that every athlete, from sprinters to distance runners and throwers, receives highly specialized training.
- Head Coach: Brady Bonsall
- Role: Oversees both the Men’s and Women’s programs, focusing on long-term development and championship performance. Coach Bonsall's tenure has consistently elevated the Lopers' standing in the MIAA and on the national level.
- Assistant Coach (Throws): Dane Tobey
- Role: A former eight-time All-American, Tobey brings elite-level experience, directly contributing to the Lopers' recent dominance in the throwing events.
- Assistant Coach (Distance/Cross Country): Brayden Sorensen
- Assistant Coach (Sprints/Hurdles): J.R. Blackwood
- Assistant Coach (Jumps/Multi-Events): Eder Garcia
- Volunteer Assistants: Grace Bonsall, Madison Shapland, and Sam Lueders, who provide additional depth and support across the entire program.
Unprecedented Success in the Field: The Throws Dynasty
The 2025-2026 season has already seen the UNK Lopers establish themselves as a premier throwing program in the NCAA Division II. This success is largely attributed to the specialized training under Assistant Coach Dane Tobey and the emergence of several record-breaking athletes.
Breakout Star: Lily Novacek’s Record-Shattering Season
Redshirt freshman Lily Novacek has become the face of the Lopers' throws program. Her transition to the collegiate level has been seamless, culminating in a historic performance in the hammer throw.
- Event: Women's Hammer Throw
- Record: Novacek broke the school record with a career-best throw of 185-0.
- Impact: Her achievement not only secured a win at the KHS Saturday event but also positioned her as a top contender for the MIAA and NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
The throws squad is not a one-person show. Junior Mackenzie Smith also posted a strong performance in the hammer throw, contributing valuable points to the team’s overall score. This depth ensures the Lopers remain competitive in the shot put, discus, and javelin events, providing a consistent source of points at major meets. The synergy between the athletes and the coaching staff, particularly Tobey, who is described as knowing "what it takes to be a top thrower," is clearly paying dividends.
Academic and Athletic Excellence: All-MIAA and All-District Honors
The UNK Track and Field program prides itself on developing well-rounded student-athletes, and the 2024-2025 season saw a significant number of Lopers recognized for their achievements both on the track and in the classroom. This commitment to dual excellence is a major draw for prospective recruits and a point of pride for the university.
Key Academic and Athletic Achievements
A significant number of athletes recently earned Academic All-District honors from the College Sports Communicators (CSC), highlighting the team's balance.
- Ella Buhlke: Senior leader Ella Buhlke was singled out as "the epitome of a student-athlete" by the UNK NEWS, recognized for her dedication to both her Communication Disorders major and her performance in cross country and track and field.
- Nick Abdalla: A standout distance runner, Abdalla has found a home in the Loper program. He earned a 13th-place finish in his event at the previous spring’s NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships, demonstrating his ability to compete at the highest national level.
- All-MIAA Honors: The Lopers had seven athletes earn All-MIAA honors in the most recent MIAA Cross Country Championships, underscoring the strength of the distance program.
These individual accolades contribute to the program’s overall topical authority, proving that UNK is a destination for athletes who seek to excel academically while pursuing national-level athletic performance.
The MIAA and NCAA Landscape: A Conference Powerhouse
The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) is one of the most competitive conferences in NCAA Division II track and field. The Lopers' consistent performance in this demanding environment speaks volumes about the quality of their program.
Looking Ahead to the 2025-2026 Schedule
The 2025-2026 schedule is packed with high-stakes meets designed to prepare the athletes for the MIAA and NCAA Championships. Key events include the annual UNK Pre-Holiday Classic in December 2025, which serves as a crucial early-season benchmark, and various indoor and outdoor meets throughout the spring.
The team’s focus is on maximizing qualifying marks for the national championships. Events like the 100 Meters, 200 Meters, 400 Meters, 800 Meters, 1500 Meters, 5000 Meters, 110 Hurdles, and 400 Hurdles are all areas where the Lopers aim to place athletes on the national performance list.
Building a Legacy: UNK Track History and Records
The current generation of Lopers is not just competing; they are actively rewriting the history of the program. The official UNK Track History & Record Book, updated as of July 2025, shows continuous improvement in both the Men's Indoor Top 10 and Women's Indoor Top 10 lists.
The program's philosophy, spearheaded by Coach Bonsall, emphasizes breaking down barriers and setting new benchmarks. The success of throwers like Lily Novacek and the consistent national qualification of runners like Nick Abdalla are testaments to this ethos. As the 2025-2026 season unfolds, the Lopers are poised to add more names and records to their storied history, continuing their ascent in the NCAA Division II rankings and solidifying their reputation as a national contender.
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