Strong showing for track and field at Pioneer Open

Written by: Jeremy Williamson, Sports Information Assistant

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. -- The University of Wisconsin-Platteville men and women's track and field team had a strong showing at the Pioneer Open on Saturday in Williams Fieldhouse.

WOMENS

Sophomore Chelsey Heiden and junior Andrea Knutson took the top two spots in the one-mile run with time of 5:27.12 and 5:36.19, respectively.

In the 5000-meter run it was junior Kiera Depies who finished over a minute ahead of her closest trailer with a time of 18:34.24. 

Coming in second place in the 4x200-meter relay was the Pioneer squad of Krysta Parson, Megan Rouer, Kelsey Reed and Briana Iwans, with a time of 1:48.22.

Senior Caitlin Thomson cleared 1.63 meters in the high jump, well enough for another Pioneer first place.

With a jump of 5.38 meters, sophomore Amber Williams took first again in the long jump.

MENS

For the 60-meter dash, it was junior Mitch Dowell who had the best time for the Pioneers at 7.12 seconds, good enough for second place.

Dowell also took second in the 200-meter run with a time of 23.12, while junior Brandon Navin took first at 22.90.

In the 800-meter run it was senior Jason Henkins who took first with a time of 1:57.04 and freshman Greg Arthur was close behind with a time of 1:59.93.

The Pioneers also took first in the one-mile run as junior Matt Wubben finished with a time of 4:29.45.

In the 3000-meter run senior Chris Czech and junior Dan LaCroix took the top two spots with times of 8:52.69 and 9:12.14, respectively.

The 4x400-meter Pioneer relay team of sophomore Kyle Utecht, freshman Shane Peronto, sophomore Michael Bland and senior Tim Laursen finished first with a time of 3:32.57.

Freshman Chandler Niemann took first in the high jump with a leap of 1.78 meters, while teammate Jacob Earle also earned 1.78 meters, but took more attempts.

Sophomore Matt Dwyer and junior Garrett Riggs both cleared 4.73 meters in the pole vault, but Dwyer took first for less attempts.

Sophomore Kyle Whaley threw 15.23 meters in the shot put, which earned him first place.

Whaley also took first in the weight throw with a toss of 15.2 meters, while teammates Mark Senst and Neil Cana followed with distances of 14.38 and 13.77 meters, respectively.

The Pioneers compete again on Feb. 6 at the Wartburg Select in Waverly Iowa.