Lincoln Track Club Award Three with Scholarships in 2025
(LINCOLN, Nebraska - June 22, 2025) The Lincoln Track Club (LTC) awarded three $2,500 scholarships in 2025 to local high school cross country and track and field athletes. The award presentation was held prior to the LTC board meeting on June 22. This is the 12th consecutive year the LTC has presented these scholarship awards.
“Each year it is exciting to receive applications from such qualified and talented student athletes,” said Ryan Regnier, LTC president. “It is a part of the LTC mission to encourage the sport of running for all different levels of competitors. This is an honor for Lincoln Track Club. We get to help these competitors further their education and have the opportunity to run at the collegiate level. It is another way to showcase the LTC mission to run, connect and give back to the community.”
The 2025 scholarship recipients are:
Easton Zastrow, son of Heather and Tracy, and a graduate of North Star High School, will attend University of Nebraska at Kearney this fall. Easton plans to pursue a degree in Education with a focus on becoming a Physical Education teacher.
Easton had an outstanding career at North Star. He was a varsity athlete all four years in both cross country and track for a total of eight varsity seasons. This past year, his cross country team set a new record at State for the most teammates to finish in the top 8. Their team placed second overall. Individually, Easton took fourth place. He placed 7th at State his junior year. In track, he won the District title in the 800 in both his sophomore and junior years.
Running has taught Easton that success isn’t about winning races, but about self-improvement, consistency and perseverance. It builds character, determination and the ability to overcome any obstacle. Easton hopes to inspire and educate the next generation through fitness and teamwork.
Ella Herzberg, daughter of Jeff and Kristine, and a graduate of East High School, will attend Nebraska Wesleyan University this fall. Ella plans to pursue a degree in Exercise Science and/or Kinesiology.
Ella is a highly decorated athlete, earning the Scholar Athlete Award and maintaining a 4.09 GPA. She is both a multiple cross country and track varsity letter winner and competed at State for cross country and track for multiple seasons.
High school cross country has taught Ella leadership and teamwork. When Ella was the only freshman on the varsity team, she stuck closely to the upperclassmen. Their leadership and maturity influenced her heavily, and encouraged her to be a better runner. Because of their influence, she was able to then lead her team to their 4th state championship in a row.
Ella is looking forward to her next chapter and she is excited for the possibilities of being a part of a nationally qualifying collegiate team.
George Ivanov, son of Lynette and Ivan, and a graduate of Pius High School, will attend Missouri Science and Technology this fall. George plans to pursue a degree in Nuclear Engineering.
George had a successful career at Pius. He was a four time cross country state qualifier and earned the team state championship title. He ran a 16:14 at Regionals and was a part of the fastest team to have ever run for Pius. But his favorite accomplishments were the memories he made with his team.
The highlight of George’s high school career has been the brotherhood, to have put in blood, sweat and tears together and be there for each other. He says, “Alone, we were not strong enough to win the State title, but together, by filling in where our brothers were weak, we became a stronger team. It bonded us like nothing else.” George has learned that no matter how strong you are, how much you train and how fast you get, you cannot do it alone.
The LTC established the scholarship program in 2013 to assist area high school cross country and track and field athletes who plan to compete at the next level. Scholarships were first awarded in 2014 to six athletes in the amount of $1,000 each. Beginning in 2015, the amount was increased to $2,500 each for up to six recipients. Since 2014, the LTC has awarded $136,000 in scholarships to 58 athletes.