The community is invited to a watch party tonight to join the family of local Husker track star Darius Luff in cheering on their son as he competes for a spot on Team USA for the Paris Olympics.
The crowd will gather at The Railyard in downtown Lincoln’s Haymarket district, starting at 6 p.m., with the race being broadcast on the massive “CUBE” TV screen.
Luff will be competing in the semifinal round of the men’s 110 meter hurdles. During the Olympic trials on hosted on Monday, Luff finished in third place with a time of 12.33 seconds, advancing to the next round.
Tonight’s race begins at 7 p.m., and if he qualifies, he’ll advance to the next round tomorrow night, Friday, at 7 p.m.
“It’s super exciting for my family and friends, my coworkers and really everyone we know is excited,” proud father Scotty Luff told KLIN News. “We’re hoping that we can get as many people out there as we can, cheering him on, and hopefully we make the finals and we can be back out there again tomorrow.”
The Luff family has also prepared a highlight video reel to play about 30 minutes before the starter pistol rings, featuring Luff best moments from his time as a Husker. Most notably, the Lincoln High School alum took first place at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in early June — setting his 110 hurdles PR (personal record) at 13.19 seconds. Luff’s performance set the Husker record and made his the first 110m hurdles national champion in school history. Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird declared June 7 as Darius Luff Day.
Luff’s father hopes his son will inspire future track athletes in the capital city.
“I think some of this might turn some non-track-fans into track-fans,” said Luff’s dad. “Now they have a local Lincoln kid running in there. Something that they can kind of relate to, you know?”
Admission is free to the watch-party. The Olympic trails are being televised by NBC.
Watch Luff’s NCAA Outdoor Championship win below.
Another national champion for @HuskerTFXC!
Darius Luff wins the 110m Hurdles title with a personal best of 13.19.
📺: ESPN pic.twitter.com/XitdsHgWsg
— Big Ten Conference (@bigten) June 8, 2024