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Kevin Burd, Sports Edior

All content by Kevin Burd
Luke Stuckey broke the school-record in the indoor mile. Photo by Shelby Berglund / Antelope Staff

Mile runner hitting stride in final season with Lopers

KEVIN BURD March 9, 2023

burdkl@lopers.unk.edu Following years of dissatisfaction with his 1,600-meter times, Luke Stuckey has finally hit his stride in his final season with the Lopers. The redshirt senior recently broke...

Football on field.

Josh Lynn’s departure left Loper football players stunned

KEVIN BURD February 16, 2023

burdkl@lopers.unk.edu Shocked. Stunned. Silenced. That was the reaction of UNK football players after former coach Josh Lynn announced that he was leaving the program for West Texas A&M...

Austin Eldredge won his first match of the 2022 season by tech fall over Chadron States Rowdy Pfeil, 17-2 at 3:30. Photo provided by Kolton Maturey / Antelope Staff

UNK wrestler aiming for gold in final season with Lopers

KEVIN BURD November 30, 2022

burdkl@lopers.unk.edu Since fourth grade, wrestling has been a staple in Austin Eldredge’s life. While his skills and size took time to develop, the redshirt senior has found his dominance while...

Sarah Schmitt is filling Haley Simentals role at point guard this season. Photo provided by Kylie Schwab / Antelope Staff

Lopers show versatility in successful homestand

KEVIN BURD November 16, 2022

burdkl@lopers.unk.edu Coming off its first loss of the season, the UNK women’s basketball team bounced back with a pair of wins over the weekend. The Lopers first beat Minnesota-Crookston 69-49...

The Lopers have the most conference titles since joining the MIAA in 2012 with six. While not officially counted, UNK also won in the 2020-21 spring season. Photo provided by Kylie Schwab / Antelope Staff

From the RMAC to MIAA, Lopers remain dominant

KEVIN BURD November 9, 2022

burdkl@lopers.unk.edu  Even after moving from the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference to the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association in 2012, one thing that has transcended time is...

Montrez Jackson has rushed for 284 yards this season. Photo provided by Nate Lilla / Antelope Staff

Last-minute Lopers survive Central Oklahoma scare

KEVIN BURD November 9, 2022

burdkl@lopers.unk.edu With a little over two minutes remaining, Central Oklahoma had a chance to cement a victory over UNK on fourth-and-1 from the UNK 24-yard line. The Bronchos set to go for...

Volleyball made a splash in their first MIAA season with a 16-1 conference record with the lone loss to Truman State. Photo provided by Nate Lilla / Antelope Staff

Coaches’ initial reactions mixed at time of MIAA switch

KEVIN BURD October 25, 2022

burdkl@lopers.unk.edu UNK was a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference from 1994 to 2012, accumulating 14 RMAC All-Sports trophies and 64 regular-season conference titles. After announcing...

The Loper wrestling team won back-to-back NCAA Championships in their final season in the RMAC and first season in the MIAA. File Photo

10 years later: MIAA move finally looks like a success

KEVIN BURD October 25, 2022

burdkl@lopers.unk.edu Ten years ago, UNK left the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference for the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. While subjective, the consensus among the current...

Jensen Rowse had 40 digs in the Lopers weekend games. Photo provided by Ethan McCormick / Antelope Staff

Lopers now tied for first place after 1-1 conference split weekend

KEVIN BURD October 25, 2022

burdkl@lopers.unk.edu UNK split its weekend slate of matches at home versus Central Missouri and Missouri Western. The Lopers suffered a 3-2 defeat at the hands of the Jennies, but quickly bounced...

Willie Fair has been a leader on the defense so far this season. Photo provided by Kylie Schwab / Antelope Staff

Loper linebacker finishing what he started on field

KEVIN BURD October 12, 2022

burdkl@lopers.unk.edu From player to coach to player again. That’s the story of UNK linebacker Willie Fair’s football journey. After playing at Azusa Pacific University in California for...

Thomas Tews plays a key role in the Lopers rush offense. Photo provided by Kylie Schwab / Antelope Staff

Sixth-year tight end puts team first in final season

KEVIN BURD October 5, 2022

burdkl@lopers.unk.edu While he may not have a list of accolades to his name, sixth-year Loper football player Thomas Tews has become a staple in the UNK offense.  In a run-heavy scheme...

Bailey Torres had two plays of 40-plus yards in the 38-6 win over Central Missouri. Photo provided by Shelby Berglund / Antelope Staff

Lopers beat Central Missouri in explosive showing

KEVIN BURD September 28, 2022

burdkl@lopers.unk.edu Explosive. That was the story of the Lopers’ 38-6 victory over Central Missouri. UNK (3-1) only ran 17 plays in the first half but managed to put up over 300 yards and...

Rhianna Wilhelm became a consistent starter for the Lopers this weekend. Photo provided by Kylie Schwab / Antelope Staff

Loper volleyball gives Central Oklahoma first loss of season

KEVIN BURD September 21, 2022

burdkl@lopers.unk.edu Unbeaten no more. Central Oklahoma came into its matchup at No. 8 UNK on Saturday 13-0. With the crowd inside the Health and Sports Center roaring, Bailee Sterling finished...

Fallon Stutheit transferred from UNL in the 2020 offseason. Photo provided by Kolton Maturey / UNK Staff

Middle Blocker embraces expanded role on volleyball team

KEVIN BURD September 14, 2022

burdkl@lopers.unk.edu UNK redshirt junior Fallon Stutheit found her love of volleyball at a young age. After taking a redshirt year at UNL in the fall of 2019, she transferred to UNK and joined...

Football on field.

Home opener excites team

KEVIN BURD September 8, 2022

burdkl@lopers.unk.edu After starting the season 1-0 with a 24-7 win at Missouri Southern, the Lopers will be back in Kearney for their home opener against Pittsburg State. ‘It’s exciting,”...

Football on field.

Lopers open with road win

KEVIN BURD September 8, 2022

burdkl@lopers.unk.edu Following a series of scoreless drives, UNK still held a 10-7 lead as the Missouri Southern offense took the field in the fourth quarter of the week 1 matchup. With 9:55 remaining,...

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Women’s soccer seniors working to go out on a high note

KEVIN BURD August 19, 2022

burdkl@lopers.unk.edu After finishing with a 2-16 record last season, the UNK women’s soccer team went in a different direction, hiring Rob Breton as the new head coach. With a newfound sense...

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Men’s tennis program reinstated with new indoor facility

KEVIN BURD August 19, 2022

burdkl@lopers.unk.edu Less than two months after the opening of the new Ernest Grundy Tennis Center, UNK Athletic Director Marc Bauer announced the reinstatement of the men’s tennis program....

Softball Feature

Carlee Liesch leaves legacy in her final softball season

KEVIN BURD April 28, 2022

burdkl@lopers.unk.edu UNK senior Carlee Liesch is playing her final season of softball for the Lopers and even before graduating, she has already left a lasting impact on the program. The 5-foot-8...

Rob Breton high fives Isabella Whiston during his first week of practice.

New women’s soccer coach fosters family culture

KEVIN BURD April 21, 2022

burdkl@lopers.unk.edu After a game of musical chairs, Rob Breton is the new head coach of the UNK women’s soccer team. He is the fourth head coach in the history of the program, which started in...

Six Lopers take home gold at Central Nebraska Invitational

Six Lopers take home gold at Central Nebraska Invitational

KEVIN BURD April 7, 2022

burdkl@lopers.unk.edu The Lopers hosted the Central Nebraska Challenge at Kearney High on Saturday and the team left the meet with six first-place finishers. Five came on the men’s side and one for...

Hot Diggity Dog: Hungry students taste test competitive eating, hot dogs at team tryouts

Hot Diggity Dog: Hungry students taste test competitive eating, hot dogs at team tryouts

KEVIN BURD April 1, 2022

burdkl@lopers.unk.edu UNK is adding another entrée to the menu of Loper athletics with a competitive eating team. With this sport available, the Lopers will be able to attract athletes from around...

Photo by Todd Rundstrom Lindsey Larabee soars through the air during one of his long jump attempts Friday afternoon during the Loper Indoor Invite track meet at Cushing Coliseum.

Lopers finish indoor track season, transition to outdoors

KEVIN BURD March 25, 2022

burdkl@lopers.unk.edu The UNK track and field indoor season came to a close with a strong finish at the NCAA Division II Indoor Championships. Putting a stamp on the Lopers’ indoor season was Wes...

Ferguson is one of six Lopers competing at nationals.

Track star Wes Ferguson has his eyes set on greatness

KEVIN BURD March 8, 2022

burdkl@lopers.unk.edu Over his short UNK track and field career, Wes Ferguson has broken school records in the 800-meter and 1,000-meter races, along with being a key part of the men’s 4x400 record...

Klaire Kirsch received All-MIAA honorable mention for the third time in her career.

Staying off the bubble: Women’s basketball carries momentum into postseason play

KEVIN BURD March 3, 2022

burdkl@lopers.unk.edu In a crucial game for NCAA tournament hopes, the UNK women’s basketball team faced off against Missouri Western State. The Lopers were down by five entering halftime, but hot...

Austin Luger scored 17 points in his final game for the Lopers.

Men’s basketball season ends with 2 close losses

KEVIN BURD March 3, 2022

burdkl@lopers.unk.edu The UNK men’s basketball season came to a close last week, after a pair of losses to Northwest Missouri State and Missouri Western State. The Lopers entered the game against...

Parker Badding provides spark during second half of season

Parker Badding provides spark during second half of season

KEVIN BURD February 24, 2022

burdkl@lopers.unk.edu As the UNK men’s basketball season has progressed, redshirt junior Parker Badding has seen his impact on the team dramatically increase. During Badding’s first three years...

Darrian Nebeker drives to the rim against a defender.

On the edge of postseason play: Men’s basketball fights for 1-1 finish in weekend games

KEVIN BURD February 17, 2022

burdkl@lopers.unk.edu With 3:30 remaining and the Lopers nursing a 61-57 lead over Northeastern State, UNK point guard David Simental leaped into the air to grab a loose ball, but a RiverHawks player...

Maegan Holt shoots a free throw and contributes to Carrie Eighmey’s 200th career win.

Pushing toward postseason: Lopers win two home games to get Eighmey’s 200th career win

KEVIN BURD February 17, 2022

burdkl@lopers.unk.edu The UNK women’s basketball team won both of its games last week against Northeastern State and Rogers State. With the victories, Carrie Eighmey achieved her 200th career win...

Simental dribbles her way into her third year with the Lopers.

Seven years strong: Haley Simental continues collegiate basketball experience

KEVIN BURD February 10, 2022

burdkl@lopers.unk.edu Haley Simental had a whirlwind of a basketball career before reaching UNK. She graduated from Pueblo West High School (Colorado) with a school-record 1,411 career points and was...

Lopers playing volleyball.

Volleyball gets set for NCAA Central Regional championship

KEVIN BURD December 2, 2021

burdkl@lopers.unk.edu The Lopers begin postseason play in the Central Regional of the 2021 NCAA Division II Women’s Volleyball Championship. The first match features sixth-seed UNK facing off against...

After transferring to UNK, Middle hitter Bailee Sterling prioritized her mental health on and off the volleyball court.

UNK volleyball goes 2-0; basketball teams begin seasons

KEVIN BURD November 18, 2021

burdkl@lopers.unk.edu The Lopers had a busy weekend on the road with the men’s and women’s basketball teams starting their seasons and UNK volleyball finishing off its regular season. The volleyball...

Volleyball

Lopers upset No. 2 Central Missouri on senior day

KEVIN BURD November 11, 2021

burdkl@lopers.unk.edu Before one of the biggest volleyball matchups of the year against Central Missouri, nine seniors on the UNK volleyball team were honored. Two of those seniors, Maddie and Anna...

Soccer seniors were recognized for their contribution to the team.

UNK seniors honored after final game of season

KEVIN BURD November 4, 2021

burdkl@lopers.unk.edu The UNK women’s soccer team played its final game of the season against Emporia State on Saturday. For five seniors, this was the last time stepping on the field in a Loper...

The Lopers celebrate Rick Squiers’ 1,000th win following their victory over Newman.

Loper volleyball earns fifth-straight win in celebratory fashion

KEVIN BURD October 28, 2021
The Lopers knew that they were in for a big weekend that needed two wins to help them in the postseason race and to help their coach reach a major milestone. They did exactly that, defeating Central Oklahoma 3-1 and Newman 3-0, making it five straight for the Lopers.
Gabriel Amegatcher dives for the loose ball after a muffed punt by the Griffons.

Lopers bounce back against Missouri Western after first loss

KEVIN BURD October 14, 2021

burdkl@lopers.unk.edu After their first loss, No. 22 UNK bounced back and achieved a well-deserved 35-14 homecoming victory over Missouri Western State. It was the Lopers’ second straight win against...

The Loper Volleyball team celebrates together after scoring a point. (Photo by Jiyoon Kim)

Loper volleyball splits weekend slate in tough matches

KEVIN BURD October 7, 2021

burdkl@lopers.unk.edu The UNK volleyball team hosted two matches last weekend, losing the first 3-1 to NW Missouri State, but bouncing back and winning the second 3-0 against Missouri Western State....

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