Pioneer Men Place first in UW-Eau Claire Triangular
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville track and field teams traveled to Eau Claire, Wis. to take on UW-Eau Claire and UW-Stevens Point.
"Today was full of quality competitive races and events," said head track and field coach, Chris Rotzenberg.
The men's team came away with 186.5 points, winning the meet.
Senior Aaron Hrubes, from Madison, Wis., won the 55-meter dash in 6.47 seconds. "Hrubes ran an outstanding time," said Rotzenberg. "I am eager to see the national qualifying list on Monday. There is no doubt he will in the top five in the nation."
UW-Platteville swept the top five places in the 55-meter dash with senior Casey Goffinet, from Platteville, Wis., coming in a close second in a time of 6.66 seconds; senior Jordan Olp, from Reedsville, Wis., running a 6.67; freshman Caleb Mertens from Hartford, Wis. placing fourth in 6.68 seconds, and senior Matt Ziegler from Madison, Wis. finishing fifth in a time of 6.79 seconds.
Senior Aaron Loferski from South Milwaukee, Wis., finished first in the 55-meter hurdles in a time of 7.67. "Loferski's hurdles final was one of the cleanest races I've ever seen him run."
Teammate, TJ Valley, a junior from Prairie du Chien, Wis., came in a close second in the 55-meter hurdles in a time of 7.69.
On the women's side, senior Deidre Dillman, from Prairie du Chien, Wis., dictated the pace in the 400-meter run, eventually pulling away on the backstretch to win in a time of 59.56 seconds. According to Rotzenberg, her performance should earn her national recognition.
Finishing the meet, the women's 4x400 meter relay was in third place after the first exchange between lead runner, Katurah Vangen, a senior from Rio, Wis., Lynea Axelson, a junior from Oregon, Ill. Axelson pulled away and got the Pioneers into second place. She handed the baton to Stephanie Wyss, a junior from Monroe, Wis., who held second place and handed off to anchor Dillman who pulled away from the competition finishing first in a time of 4:04.17. "The women's 4x400 meter relay time will get them on the national qualifying list," said Rotzenberg.
The Pioneers travel to the Jack Jennett Invitational hosted by The University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Saturday.
Written by: Eileen McGuine, UW-Platteville Athletics