Men finishes second at Augustana’s Meet of Champions

Written by: Eileen McGuine

ROCK ISLAND, Ill.— The University of Wisconsin-Platteville track & field teams performed well against fierce competition at Augustana College's Meet of Champions in Rock Island, Ill.

"Traditionally, Augustana's hosts a very good meet," said head track and field coach, Chris Rotzenberg. "They have a great throwing venue and normally a great meet for distance runners."

The men's 4x100 meter relay team consisting of Jordan Olp, a senior from Reedsville, Wis., Wis., Casey Goffinet, a senior from Platteville, Wis., Caleb Mertens, a freshman from Brookfield, Wis., and Aaron Hrubes, a senior from Madison, Wis., captured first place with a time of 41.40. "The men's 4x100 meter relay went very smooth. It was very efficient, quick and an overall good performance," said Rotzenberg.

Hrubes also tied the school record in the 100 meter dash in a time of 10.65 seconds.

Jacob Dailey, a senior from Platteville, Wis., won the hammer throw with a mark of 180 feet and six inches. 

T.J. Valley, a junior from Prairie du Chien, Wis., won the 110 hurdles in a time of 14.76 seconds.

Matt Brendemihl, a freshman from Greenfield, Wis., placed second in the triple jump with a mark of 44 feet, six and three quarters inches.

Freshman Malachi Romportl, from Rice Lake, Wis., tied for first place in the pole vault with Justin Hermshort from UW-Stevens Point, jumping 15 feet and one inch.

Caitlin Thomson, a sophomore from Whitenall, Wis., and Stephanie Wyss, a junior from Monroe, Wis., placed fourth and fifth in the heptathlon with 4043 points and 4003 points. 

Kristen Wiley, a senior from Oshkosh, Wis., placed second in the triple jump with a mark of 34 feet and three inches.

Kiera Depies, a freshman from Cedar Grove, Wis., placed third in the 10,000 meter run in a time of 39:41.04. 

Lynea Axelson, a junior from Oregon, Ill., placed fifth in the 400 meter run in a time of 59.93. "Lynea had a great race.  Her 400 meter race was probably one of her best performances," said Rotzenberg. 

Kaliann Bauer, a junior from Prairie du Chien, Wis., placed fifth in the pole vault with a mark of 10 feet, eight inches. 

"Both the men's and women's teams are making big strides towards the WIAC Championships," said Rotzenberg. "We have learned a lot from today's competitions in figuring who will compete in which event."

The Pioneers have the opportunity to compete at three different meets next weekend. A few of the Pioneers will go on to compete at Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa hosted by Drake University; Gina Relays in Hillsdale, Mich., hosted by Hillsdale College, and the Loras Invitational, in Dubuque, Iowa, hosted by Loras College.