Two Pioneers named Champions after Day One

Two Pioneers named Champions after Day One
February 23, 2018

Stevens Point, Wis. - After day one of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Indoor Championships, the Pioneers had two event winners and several other podium appearances, finishing in the top 8 of their events.  

Freshman Rodrick McMiller became the first Pioneer of the weekend to become champion. McMiller won the men's long jump by jumping a personal best of 7.27m (23-10.25), which places him at No. 4 on the national qualifying list. McMiller will be competing in the finals of the 60m dash tomorrow after running 7.02 seconds in the preliminaries. His time is the fourth best time going into finals.  

On the track, Zach Lee became the second champion for the Pioneers. Lee won the men's mile crossing the line in 4:17.59, also a personal best time for the UW-Platteville junior.  

In the women's pole vault, Brittany Ehlen cleared a new school record height of 3.73m (12-2.75) to take second place. This mark places her at No. 11 on the national qualifying list. Also taking second in his event, senior Walker Rynes ran 14:44.28 in the men's 5,000m run.  

Johanna Meister made her way to the podium today after placing sixth in the women's mile. Meister ran 5:12.42. Teammate Janelle Ferguson finished in 11th place, finishing in 5:20.35.  

Sophomore Rachel Beuthin finished fourth in women's shot put today, throwing 12.98m (42-7).  

Charlie Gifford will be moving on to finals in the men's 60m hurdles after running 8.33 seconds in the preliminaries. Another notable mention of the day includes freshmen Katie Schilling finishing in 11th place in the women's 60m hurdles in a personal best time of 9.39 seconds.  

After day one, Jake Hirsbrunner and Cody Faust have competed in the 60m dash, long jump, shot put, and high jump. Tomorrow the WIAC Indoor Championships continue, beginning at 10:00AM with Lindsay Dujardin competing in the women's pentathlon 60m hurdles. The men's heptathlon 60m hurdles will follow.  

In team scores, after 6 events scored, the UW-Platteville men are in fifth place, five points behind fourth place UW-Stevens Point. The UW-Platteville women are currently in seventh place, 8.5 points behind sixth place UW-Whitewater.