The University of Wisconsin-Platteville men’s and women’s track teams took third and sixth place, respectively, at the Cardinal Classic in Naperville, Ill., Feb. 15.

Senior Jordan Olp finished second in the 200-meter dash with a time of 22.35 seconds.  Olp said he was happy with his performance.

“Overall, I was pleased,” Olp said.  “I ran a personal best of the season at the Cardinal Classic, so it is hard not to be pleased about how I competed.”

Junior Ace McCarty took home first place in the high jump with a jump of 6-7 1/2.

Junior T.J. Valley finished second in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.08 seconds, breaking his own school record.

Senior Matt Ziegler ran the 400-meter dash in 50.12 seconds, earning him third place.  Fellow senior teammate Ben Farrell finished fourth with a time of 50.26 seconds.

Three Pioneers placed in the top four in the 3,000-meter run.  Sophomore Dan La Croix finished second with a time of 8:45.97, sophomore Chris Czech came in third with a time of 8:47.89, and senior Matt Borneman finished fourth with a time of 8:50.15.

Sophomore Caitlin Thomson place first in the women’s high jump with a 5-2 1/2 jump.

The Pioneer women’s 4×400 meter relay team placed second and set a personal best record with a time of 3:59.92.  The team consisted of seniors Deidre Dillman and Keturah Vangen and juniors Stephanie Wyss and Lynea Axelson.

The Pioneers will compete in the WIAC Track and Field Championship on Friday, Feb. 22, and Saturday, Feb. 23, at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.  The teams will be working hard to achieve their personal goals during practice this week.

“The women’s goal is to score more points at the conference championships than last year,” coach Chris Rotzenberg said.  “Fourty-three points or more would achieve that goal.  The men’s goal is to place 3rd or better as a team.”

“Conference is just another meet; nothing changes,” McCarty said.

The athletes are working hard toward possible qualification in the NCAA National Meet as well.

“A number of individuals are also trying to qualify for the national championship on March 8-9,” Rotzenberg said.  “A male needs to be in the top 13 and a female in the top 15 to qualify for the NCAA National Meet.”