Nationally ranked athletes perform at UW-Platteville Invitational
Platteville, Wis. - Teams from around the mid-west traveled to Platteville chasing the opportunity to run, throw, and jump season and lifetime bests on Friday, April 15. Specifically, distance runners convened at the invitational to race this season’s fastest 5,000m races yet.
Platteville, Wis. - Teams from around the mid-west traveled to Platteville chasing the opportunity to run, throw, and jump season and lifetime bests on Friday, April 15. Specifically, distance runners convened at the invitational to race this season's fastest 5,000m races yet.
Continuing her pursuit of throwing 15.00m, Brianna Leahy threw a lifetime best in the shot put. Breaking her own school record once again, Leahy threw 14.97m (49-1.25) to win the event. Her performance ranks No. 1 in the national standings.
Even in wintery weather, Gwen Orr proved it's still possible to run lifetime best times. She crossed the 100m finish line in 11.97 seconds to take first place. Orr's 100m dash time is tied for the second fastest time in the NCAA DIII currently. In the 200m, Orr improved on her previous best by over 0.20 seconds and ran 24.65 to win the event. Her 200m dash time ranks among the top 4 in NCAA DIII.
In the hammer throw, Justin Eichler won with a toss of 58.32m (191-4) and Alex Girard threw a lifetime best of 54.07m (177-4.75) to take third. Eichler remains ranked No. 2 and Girard ranks No. 15 nationally.
The 4x400m relay team of Cade VanHout, Jacob Downing, Spencer Vanek, and Zach Zenner won decisively with a time of 3:19.45, which ranks among the top 20 nationally. Also winning the 4x100m relay, the team of Derrick Turner, VanHout, Vanek, and Downing ran 42.24 seconds.
Next up for the Pioneers will be Augustana College's Meet of Champions taking place on Friday, April 22 – Saturday, April 23. For more information, visit letgopioneers.com.
More highlights from the UW-Platteville Invitational include:
Pioneer Women
Kirstie Ramsey – Took 2nd place in the 1500m with a lifetime best time of 4:52.60.
Jessica Buss – Placed 3rd in the 400m hurdles with a season best time of 1:06.32.
Brenna Noon – Tied her season best throw of 13.57m (44-6.25) in the shot put to take 4th place.
4x100m – The relay comprised of Alexis Healey, Orr, Caitlynn Hahn, and Madison Ahrens ran 50.18 seconds to take 4th place.
Kayla Lipsey – Took 5th in 100m hurdles, running 16.83.
Paulina Wienke – Threw a lifetime best in the discus, 36.97m (121-3.5), and placed 9th.
Pioneer Men
Will Lawrence and Jacob Rice – Lawrence won the javelin throw with a personal best throw of 55.46m (181-11.5). Rice took 3rd with a throw of 52.31m (171-7.5).
Weston Pink – Finished in 2nd for triple jump, marking a jump of 13.47m (44-2.25).
Zach Zenner – Finished the 800m in 5th place with an outdoor best time of 1:58.25.
Derrick Turner – Ran a lifetime best time in the 100m preliminaries, clocking 10.80 seconds. In finals he took 9th with a time of 11.02.
Jacob Downing and Josh Katers – Ran a personal bests in the 200m dash. Downing crossing the finish in 22.38 seconds and Katers running 22.54 seconds.
Caleb Christiansen – Ran a lifetime best of 14:54.88 in the 5,000m run, finishing sub-15 minutes for the first time.
Ben Veverka – Threw a season best in the shot put, 15.00m (49-2.5), to take 4th place.
