Multiple Records Fall at Home Invite
Multiple records fell during the UW-Platteville Invitational, one of the most competitive Division 3 meets in the country. The non-scored two-day invite included six top-10 nationally ranked men’s teams; No. 1 UW-La Crosse, No. 2 UW-Whitewater, No. 3 UW-Eau Claire, No. 8 UW-Steven Point, No. 9 UW-Oshkosh, and No. 10 UW-Platteville. On the women’s side, six top-20 nationally ranked teams participated; No. 1 UW-La Crosse, No. 7 UW-Eau Claire, No. 11 UW-Oshkosh, No. 14 UW-Platteville, No. 15 UW-Stevens Point, and No. 17 UW-Stout.
PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – Multiple records fell during the UW-Platteville Invitational, one of the most competitive Division 3 meets in the country. The non-scored two-day invite included six top-10 nationally ranked men's teams; No. 1 UW-La Crosse, No. 2 UW-Whitewater, No. 3 UW-Eau Claire, No. 8 UW-Steven Point, No. 9 UW-Oshkosh, and No. 10 UW-Platteville. On the women's side, six top-20 nationally ranked teams participated; No. 1 UW-La Crosse, No. 7 UW-Eau Claire, No. 11 UW-Oshkosh, No. 14 UW-Platteville, No. 15 UW-Stevens Point, and No. 17 UW-Stout.
Competition began on Friday night with the hammer throw and the fast heats of the 5Ks. Runners from Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Michigan traveled to Platteville to compete in what is typically the fastest DIII 5K in the nation. Representing UW-Platteville in the men's fast heat was Ian LaMere. After breaking the 10K national record at Stanford two weeks ago, LaMere was one of the favorites coming into the race. Unfortunately LaMere was not able to hold on to the lead and finished in 6th place, setting a new school record of 14:19.08.
On Saturday, Dan Arnold set a new facility record and tied his own school record during the 110m Finals. Arnold ran a season best 14.40 in the prelims before coming back and running the record setting 14.16 in the finals. Arnold moves into the number two ranking in the Division III national performance list.
Nearing the end of competition Saturday, the facility and school record in the women's long jump fell to Amber Williams. Williams led the competition following her first jump of 19-2.5 (5.86m). On her final attempt, Williams leapt into the record books with a 19-11.5 (6.08m) jump. Her mark ties her as the ninth best long jumper ever in Division III history and currently leads the nation by 10.25 inches.
Williams also finished fourth in the 100 meter hurdles in a time of 15.22. Williams capped the day leading off the 4x400 meter relay to a to a fourth place finish in 3:55.63. Joining Williams were Bri Iwans, Amanda Milne and Devan Montgomery.
Other notable performances from the day come from Kelsey Reed finishing fourth in the long jump. Reed jumped 17-11.5 (5.47m) besting her previous best by over a half foot.
In the men's field events, Matt Dwyer won the men's pole vault with his first ever 16-foot (4.88m) outdoor clearance. Dwyer made three attempts at a new school record but was not successful.
Also accomplishing a new outdoor best was Matt Brendemihl surpassing the 14-meter mark in the triple jump. Brendemihl finished second with a mark of 46-4.25 (14.13m).
The field events were capped by Kyle Whaley's career best shot put performance. Whaley saved his best throw for last and beat his previous personal best by over a foot. Whaley's throw of 54-11.5 (16.75m) placed him third and currently ranks sixth on the Division III national performance list.
The men's 4x400 meter relay ended the day with a win for the Pioneers. The foursome of Paul Rapp, Adam Lange, Darren Hudziak and Wyatt Thompson finished in a time of 3:16.22 seconds, currently the 3rd fastest time in Division 3. Thompson anchored the winning 4x400 meter relay after finishing 4th in the open 400m with a time of 48.84.
