OMAHA - It was a first-ever experience for a Pawnee City girls athletic team.
Saturday, at Burke Stadium in Omaha, the Lady Indians claimed the Class D girls state crown at the Nebraska State High School Track and Field Championships.
The state title is the first ever for a Pawnee City girls team in any sport.
Pawnee City easily outdistanced second-place Arnold in the team race, scoring 68 points to Arnold's 48.
"All this year, we've had stepping stones to the end," Pawnee City coach Alan Strong said. "This was our last stepping stone."
Strong said the Lady Indians talked a lot about how they could accomplish winning a state title.
The biggest key, Strong said, was to continue working as a team as they've done all year long.
"There was no individual person on this team," Strong said. "We all worked for the points."
Strong said hard work by the Lady Indians paid off with a state championship.
The Lady Indians were led by senior Michelle Habegger and junior Sam Musil.
Saturday, Habegger won the state championship in the Class D girls triple jump. She had a best effort of 37-4 1/2.
Habegger also finished second overall in the 100-meter hurdles in 15.61.
"Michelle is a special person," Habegger said. "She's so athletic and does so many things well for the team. She's a leader and all the girls have a lot of respect for her."
While she enjoyed her individual successes, Habegger said winning the team championship was "amazing."
"That's all we were going for," Habegger said. "Sam and I both had state championships last year, but there's more fulfillment in winning as a team."
Habegger said all of the Lady Indians are good friends on and off the track, which makes winning the title more special.
Musil followed up Friday's state discus championship with a state title in the shot put Saturday. Her best effort of 42-2 3/4.
Strong sad Musil's work ethic is what sets her apart from other athletes.
"Sam works so hard and you can see the results of that," Strong said.
Winning the state title as a team was "way better" than winning the individual championships, Musil said.
Sophomore Alicia Marteney picked up a state runner-up finish for the Lady Indians in the 1600-meter run, finishing in 5:26.76.
Habegger and Marteney teamed up with Heather Blecha and Jessie McAferty to finish fourth overall in the 1600-meter relay, putting the final touches n their state title. The team turned in a time of 4:16.60.
Strong said Marteney, Blecha, McAferty and Dani Burgess also contributed to the team's winning the state title.
Class D Girls To 20 Team Standings
1. Pawnee City, 68; 2. Arnold, 48; 3. St. Mary's, 34; 4. McCool Junction, 27 1/2; 5. Allen, 27; 6. Ansley, 26; 7. Cambridge, 24; 8. Lawrence-Nelson, 22; 8. Winside, 22; 10. Medicine Valley, 18; 11. North Loup-Scotia, 14; 12. Nebraska Lutheran, 12; 13. Leyton, 11; 13. Scribner-Snyder, 11; 13. Silver Lake, 11; 16. Potter-Dix, 10; 17. Freeman, 9. 1/2; 18. Dundy County, 9; 18. Eustis-Farnam, 9; 18. Waterloo, 9; 21. McPherson County, 8; 21. Omaha Christian Academy, 8; 21. Palmer, 8; 21. Sargent, 8