Pioneers use Cardinal Classic to prepare for WIAC Championships

Written by: Eileen McGuine 

NAPERVILLE, Ill.— University of Wisconsin-Platteville Pioneers competed at the Cardinal Classic meet at the North Central in Naperville, Ill. 

"North Central always has a quality team and bring in other quality teams," said head track and field coach, Chris Rotzenberg. "This is a great prep for our team before we go to the conference meet. That's why we have come here for the past three years." 

Ace McCarty, a junior from Genoa, Ill., earned first place in the high jump, jumping 6 feet 7.5 inches. 

Jordan Olp, a senior from Reedsville, Wis., finished second in the 200 meter dash in a time of 22.35 seconds. 

"This race really set me up for the competition next weekend a conference," said Matt Kocak, a sophomore from Jackson, Minn. Kocak, ran the mile in a time of 4:17.29 

T.J. Valley, a junior from Prairie du Chein, Wis., finished second in the 60 meter hurdles in a time of 8.08 seconds, breaking his own school record and was behind UW-Parkside's Will Cranford in a time of 8.06. 

In the men's 3,000 meter run UW-Platteville captured second, third and fourth places. Dan La Croix, a sophomore from Verona, Wis., finished in a time of 8:45.97; Chris Czech, a sophomore from Pewaukee, Wis., finished in a time of 8:47.89; Matt Borneman, a senior from Wind Lake, Wis., finished in a time of 8:50.15. 

Matt Ziegler, a senior from Madision, Wis., finished third in the men's 400 meter dash in a time of 50.12 seconds.  Close behind Ziegler was Ben Farrell, a senior from Verona, Wis., in a time of 50.26, earning fourth place. 

"I am very happy how I competed in the 400 [meter dash]," said Ziegler. "I am ready to compete next weekend. 

Caitlin Thomson, a sophomore from Whitnall, Wis., finished first in the women's high jump, jumping 5 feet and 2.5 inches. 

The women's 4x400 meter relay team consisting of Deidre Dillman, a senior from Prairie du Chien, Wis., Keturah Vangen, a senior from Rio, Wis., Stephanie Wyss, a junior from Monroe, Wis., and Lynea Axelson, a junior from Oregon, Ill., ran a time of 3:59.92, placing second and setting a now personal best for this season. 

The Pioneers compete in the WIAC Championship Track and Field meet next Friday, Feb.22-Saturday, Feb. 23 at UW-Stevens Point in Stevens Point, Wis.