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While Nebraska's Graduate Classic indoor meet still included a wild mix of schools competing on the same track — from powerhouse programs like Oregon, Nebraska and Minnesota to smaller schools such as Midland, Iowa Western Community College and Indian Hills Community College — the women’s shot put competition at the meet featured three Olympians.

And the champion ended up being from the home team, with Nebraska’s Axelina Johansson outlasting American star Jaida Ross of Oregon. The other Olympian was Nebraska’s Mini De Klerk of South Africa.

Johansson, the Swedish national team member and 2023 Nebraska national champion, won with a throw of 58 feet, 10 inches.

That was more than 2 feet ahead of Ross, who finished second in 56-1 ¼. Nebraska’s Kalynn Meyer was a surprise third-place finisher, while De Klerk was fourth. Six of the top seven finishers in the event were from NU.

With a lot of star power, there was a lot of attention on the shot put with two bleachers full near the competition at the Devaney Sports Center and fans cheering for both Johansson and Ross before each throw.

Ross is from Medford, Oregon, and is the NCAA record holder in the event. She was just off the medal stand at the Paris Olympics last summer, finishing in fourth as the top American.

For most of the competition Saturday, Johansson was in first place with Ross lurking right behind her. But Ross was never able to pass her.

“She’s such a good athlete,� Johansson said. “She placed fourth at the Olympics. She’s capable of throwing really, really far. She’s someone I look up to. So beating her, I was kind of surprised to be honest.�

Johannson ranks No. 3 in the NCAA Division I this season. She and Ross will likely go head-to-head at least two more times over the next two months at the Big Ten and NCAA championships.

Johansson’s winning throw was the first of her six attempts.

“I feel like with the first throw you just have so much adrenaline and you don’t really think of the technique,� she said. “And then you kind of start thinking, and it goes downhill.�

Last summer Johansson had a great experience getting to compete in the Olympics while still in college. There were two days of competition, with just 12 athletes advancing out of the first day. Johansson got the final spot. Then she moved up on the second day and finished 10th.

She felt good that she was able to beat some athletes who are already competing as professionals.

“It was so cool,� Johansson said. “It was big. There were so many people in the stadium — like 80,000 people. So it was so loud. When the France people were competing you kind of had to hold your ears because they were screaming so loud. It was a cool experience. It was something that I’d dreamed of since I was a little kid and then to be there at compete at the highest level.�

Husker high jumper leads nation

There was a loud ovation at the men’s high jump, where Husker senior Tyus Wilson won the event by 3 inches in 7 feet, 4 ¼ inches. That leads NCAA Division I this season. He was the Big Ten champion indoors and outdoor last season.

Nebraska also had the champion in the women’s shot put, with Jenna Rogers winning at 6-0 ½.

In the women’s 60 meters, Husker senior Darby Thomas of Council Bluffs, Iowa, won in a personal-best :07.36. That’s the fourth-fastest time in school history.

High school star races against college athletes

During Friday’s first day of the meet, Oregon showed its strength in the distance events when it swept the top five spots in the mile.

Also in the event was current Fremont high school star Juan Gonzalez. The Oregon signee placed 10th in 4:13. Oregon freshman Tayson Echohawk won in 4:01.