Leahy and Orr named champions on day 2 of WIAC Outdoor Championships
La Crosse, Wis. – On day two of the WIAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships, 2 Pioneer women were named champions in 3 events. Several more Pioneer men and women made their way to the podium.
La Crosse, Wis. – On day two of the WIAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships, 2 Pioneer women were named champions in 3 events. Several more Pioneer men and women made their way to the podium.
Gwen Orr won the 100m dash in 11.74 seconds, a personal best time and ranks No. 3 in NCAA DIII this season. She finished the day winning the 200m dash as well; Orr ran another personal best in the 200m, 24.44 seconds. Her 200m time ranks No. 7 in the nation.
In the shot put, Brianna Leahy won with a throw of 14.64m (48-0.25). Leahy also took eighth in discus, marking a throw of 39.29m (128-11). Leahy remains ranked at No. 1 in national rankings for the shot put, and No. 13 in the discus.
Jacob Rice placed third in the decathlon. He ran 15.19 seconds 110m hurdles, threw 33.02m (108-4) in discus, pole vaulted 4.05m (13-3.5), thew 47.39m (155-5) in javelin, and finished the day by running 4:52.73 in the 1500m. Overall, Rice scored 6,495 points and ranks 10th in the nation.
Taking second place in both the 100m and 200m, Cade VanHout ran personal best times. He ran 10.29 seconds in the 100m dash, and 21.18 in the 200m dash. He is ranked No. 3 nationally in the 100m dash, No. 4 in the 200m dash currently.
In men's discus, four Pioneers took to the podium. Ben Veverka came in second place with a throw of 49.50m (162-5). Veverka also finished on the podium in sixth place in the shot put, throwing 15.49m (50-10). Alex Girard took fourth in the discus, marking a best throw of 47.53m (155-11). Alexander Walechka took fifth place with a throw of 46.16m (151-5). And lastly, Justin Eichler placed sixth in discus, finishing the day with a throw of 46.13m (151-4).
In team scores, the Pioneer men scored 87. 5 points, placing sixth overall. The men's team from UW-Oshkosh won the meet with 174 points. The Pioneer women's team scored 48 points, finishing in eighth place overall. UW-La Crosse's women's team won the meet with 293.5 points. Representing UW-Platteville for the Larry Zirgibel All-Sportsmanship Team were Pioneers Caleb Christiansen and Brianna Leahy. Nominated for the Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete was senior Adam Wildman. Nominated for the Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete was Leahy. More information can be found at wiacsports.com.
Pioneer Women Highlights
Brenna Noon – Took 4th place in shot put, throwing a personal best mark of 14.06m (46-1.5). Noon's throw ranks No. 8 in NCAA DIII at this time.
Jessica Buss – Placed 5th in the 400m hurdles with a personal best time of 1:04.83.
Women's 4x100m – Finished in 5th place with a season best time of 48.97 seconds. The team consisted of Alexis Healey, Orr, Shannon Wulf, Madison Ahrens.
Kayla Lipsey – Took 8th place in her second heptathlon of her career. On day two of the 7-event competition, she jumped 4.69m (15-4.75) in the long jump, threw 28.09m (92-2) in javelin, and ran 2:40.23 in the 800m. Lipsey scored 3,551 points.
Kirstie Ramsey – Crossed the finish line with the 8th best time in the 1500m. Ramsey ran a personal best time of 4:46.01.
Pioneer Men Highlights
Cole Stugelmeyer – Placed 4th in the 110m hurdles with a personal best time of 14.59 seconds. This time ranks No. 23 nationally.
Men's 4x100m – Finished in 5th place with a time of 42.10 seconds. The team consisted of Derrick Turner, VanHout, Spencer Vanek, and Jacob Downing.
Bryce Bierman – Took 6th place in the high jump, clearing 1.97m (6-5.5).
Logan Bell – The freshman took 7th place in the 1500m, running a personal best time of 3:56.41.
Zach Zenner – Placed 8th in the finals of the 400m dash with a time of 49.48 seconds.
Jacob Downing – Took 9th place in the 400m, running 49.54. Downing also took 9th place in the 200m finals, clocking 22.09 seconds.
Weston Pink – Triple jumped 13.73m (45-0.25) to finish in 9th place.