May 14, 2026
Ahead of this weekend’s Big Ten Outdoor Track & Field Championships, Berlyn Schutz is excited to race against some of the top athletes in the country. And, because it’s happening right here in her hometown, she’s also excited to be cheered on by legions of friends, family and Husker fans.
“Competing in Lincoln just makes it all mean that much more. It reminds me of my high school days where literally everyone would be there for me,” Berlyn says. “I’ll have a bunch of family from all over Nebraska in the stands, so I’m just feeling really supported and excited — and grateful I can go home at the end of the day.”
Hosting the championships on their home turf is a welcome opportunity for Berlyn and the rest of her Husker Track & Field teammates, as the Big Ten teams converging in Lincoln bring along big challenges.
“The Big Ten has always been a very competitive conference. Every race is really stacked — we have Olympians, world qualifiers and NCAA champions competing, so it’ll be a big test before nationals.”
Berlyn has already passed some major tests this season, including breaking a school record for the 1500m race — a record she herself already held. Berlyn holds seven school records in total, the most of any Husker athlete.
“This past year, I’ve realized I'm not behind anyone: I’m right where I’m supposed to be. It's wild to think of, because when I was growing up in Lincoln, I used to dream about racing on stages like this.”
Since running the Lincoln Mayor’s Run as a little kid and racing for Lincoln East High School, Berlyn didn't have to go far to find that bigger stage. The support she’s found through Husker Athletics has helped her stick with it through tough times.
“One thing that drew me to Nebraska was all the support they offered and their emphasis on academics, and I always feel like I’ve been able to find that balance here. This is my dream and they’ve helped me manage all of it, so I’m just really proud and really happy that I've made it this far and am still chasing bigger goals.”
Berlyn Schutz is a junior political science major from Lincoln, NE.