Listen to the video for Brandon Aksamit's interview with coach Broc Howard

OMAHA, Neb. — The Kearney High Bearcats are state champions in Class A boys track and field for the first time since 2014.

Powered by three gold medals, Kearney posted 78 team points. That total removed any suspense heading to the final events as the Bearcats were clear of second-place Millard West (66 points) and third-place Lincoln Southeast (46.5).

“When you put it all together, I’m just really proud of the guys,” head coach Broc Howard said.

The victory is the 17th in program history. The Bearcats won three straight from 2012-14, two in a row in 2008 and 2009 and won 11 straight from 1994-2004.

Luke Brachle got Kearney started on Wednesday by placing first in the high jump at 6-06. 

“That was really big for our team to see that,” Howard said. “Hey, we’ve got a lead and now let’s build on the lead.”

Cole Brandt won gold on Thursday in the discus with a throw of 175-02. The Bearcats won a thrilling 4x100 M relay to build their lead. Zaire Lagrone-Miller ran the anchor leg and edged out Elkhorn South by thousandths of a second to earn 10 points for Kearney High.

The Bearcats finished the season with 152 boys on their roster. 26 boys qualified for the state meet.

Kearney boys track points:

Zaire Lagrone-Miller: 3rd 100M dash, 3rd 200M dash

Luke Brachle: 1st high jump, 4th 110M hurdles

Luke Draper: 7th 110M hurdles

Cole Brandt: 1st discus, 4th shot put

Zach Wulf: 5th discus

Asher Endorf: 8th high jump

Taj Wilson: 8th long jump, 3rd triple jump

Aydan Nelson: 8th pole vault

Baker Bertrand: 6th shot put

Kyler Nichols: 2nd triple jump

Relay: 1st 4x100M