SHS’s Linneman commits to UNK track and field

Morgan Linneman has had quite a decorated track and field career for the Sidney High School Lady Raiders. Now she’ll get the chance to take her talents to the next level.

Linneman on Wednesday signed a national letter of intent to attend the University of Nebraska-Kearney on track-academic scholarship.

“I considered Nebraska Wesleyan, Midland University and Concordia,” Linneman said, “but I had already had two visits to UNK, plus we stayed there overnight at the state cross-country meet last fall. I had a chance to talk to coach (Brady Bonsall) and I pretty much knew that was where I wanted to go.”

Linneman, who can flash speed from 100 to 800 meters, holds one school mark by herself, that being the 200-meter dash (25.88 seconds).

The senior can also be found on the record board as a member of the Lady Raiders’ 4x4 and 4x8 relays which both ran second last spring in the girls Class B state finals. She also runs a leg on SHS’s 4 x 1, whose time in 2012 ranks second all-time at Sidney.

Linneman says her goal is to break the school record in the 400.

Her career best is 59.77, which ranks third all-time behind co-record holders Monica Hoier (1985) and Michelle Highland (1991), both who stopped the watches at 58.1 seconds.

“I would like to get the 400 down to around 58 seconds or better,” Linneman said.

The regimen will remain the same this spring for Linneman, who will enter UNK undeclared while ranking 10th in her Class of 2013.

“It will be the 4x8, 4x4, 400, 200 and 4x 1,” said Linneman, knowing of course athletes must honor the standard four-event limit per meet.

As for her college careers, Linneman says Bonsall has designs on the Raiders recruit competing in the 400 and 4x4 during outdoor season, and trying the 600 meters indoors.

“With me running 800 splits, the 600 will be a good turn-back in distance for me,” Linneman said.

Though she won’t compete, Linneman said she will be training with the Lopers’ cross-country team.

“I won’t run cross-country,” said Linneman, who was a harrier at SHS. “I can at least root for them at their meets.”

Linneman’s signing comes one year after she endured an MCL tear during basketball season. She recovered in time for a stellar junior track season, in which she earned three relay medals at the state finals.

This spring, Linneman says she will concentrate more on sprinting, particularly the 400.

“If we can get a 4x4 team configured, I will run that,” Linneman said. “Otherwise, it will be the 400, 4x1, of course the 200, and maybe even the 100. That will help me work on my speed.”

Linneman is the daughter of Brian and Lisa Linneman of Sidney.