January 19, 2026
Leandro de Sousa Takes National Lead in Shot Put
Lincoln, NE - It was a good weekend to be a Reiver as both squads competed at the University of Nebraska Graduate Classic at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. Arthur Leandro de Sousa catapulted to the national lead in the shot put with a school record toss of 17.59m to finish 3rd place. Rajay Hemmings threw 16.22m to improve his national standing to 4th.
Antonella Alfaro had an impressive collegiate debut with a national lead in the 1000m running 2:56.13 for the win. In the 800m she ran 2:16.39 in good for 9th place and 3rd in school history in both events. Hafssa Boutrich ran 2:18.35 (5th in school history), Widjane Inzaline 2:19.16 (6th in school history), Alyssa Kulesa 2:20.08 (7th in school history), Mya Curtis 2:21.18 (9th in school history, Norah Sjerven 2:21.56 (10th in school history).
Two additional national qualifiers were run in the 1000m with Inzaline ran 3:05.16 for 9th followed by Kulesa in 3:05.71. Boutrich ran 10:06.48 in the 3000m to stamp her ticket for nationals in her season debut at the distance. Yman Ossie Tchiengue had a stellar season opener placing 2nd in the high jump with a national-leading 1.77m (3rd in school history). Nickiya Shields jumped 11.46m (6th in school history) in the triple jump in her season opener. Pierre Carlier had 2 national qualifiers in the 600m 1:20.35 and 1000m 2:26.94. Moustafa Tiea 2:31.36, and Ali Benzem 2:31.89 both qualified in the 1000m.
Next up, the squads will split between two meets January 24 at the Iowa State Cyclone Open and the University of Missouri Bob Teel Invitational.