Meet Story

Planning for the first Nebraska Championship meet began in 2005 with a group of track enthusiasts from Gothenburg known as the Cindermates. The meet organizers wanted to  provide an opportunity for junior high kids to compete at a high level, statewide, all-class meet run by officials adhering to standards set for championship competition.  The first meet was held on May 13, 2010. The support from coaches, athletes, parents, and schools from across the  state was tremendous.  In 2010, 145 schools posted their athletes'  season marks, 64 schools qualified team members for the first all-class, top 16 individual and relay competition competing for titles in 13 events.  In 2011, the 4 X 800 relay was added to the list of events, and the individual field size was expanded to 24 qualifiers.  Starting in 2015, medals were awarded to the top 8 in all events.  In 2023, the  Nebraska Championship Meet hosted 682 competitors qualifying from 181 schools.  Team and runner-up titles are awarded from the point totals of the 14 events and most valuable athlete medals are presented to the boy and girl who score the most points in the meet.  The outstanding meet performance is recognized at the end of the season and awarded to the highest nationally ranked performance in the Nebraska Championship Meet according to results posted to athletic.net.  In 2024 the meet will be televised in its entirety.