The University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s track and field team hosted their first outdoor invitational meet outside of the William’s Fieldhouse at the UW-Platteville outdoor complex on April 12.

The event was named Division III Meet of the Week by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

Joining the Pioneers’ squad in the event were conference foes and top-ranked defending national champions University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, along with other top 10 teams, such as second ranked University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, third-ranked University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, fourth-ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and eighth-ranked Wartburg.

Competing with the best D-III teams in the country, the Pioneers’ men and women’s teams were able to finish at the top of several events.

The Pioneers found their greatest success in the javelin throw on Saturday, despite the windy conditions.

Junior Emily Kjos placed first with her throw of 37.53 meters, a toss that was nearly four meters ahead of the second place finisher.

The final for the women’s javelin occurred very late in the night, when the gusts were at their worst.

“My teammates are wonderful and stayed to watch, while I was throwing around 10 p.m. at night on Saturday, as it was the last event of the meet,” Kjos said

“Hopefully, as the season progresses, we can have a nice and warm day with little wind so everyone can work towards qualifying for nationals.”

For the men’s javelin, junior Daniel Poh won with a throw of 57.87 meters and T.J. Valley placed second at 56.14 meters.

Poh, who tore his Achilles tendon during a track meet earlier in the season, was told that he would be unable to compete for the remainder of the outdoor season.

“After having surgery, I set my mind to come back faster than anyone else. Every day is a challenge, but with the help of our great training staff, here we are only four months later and I am able to compete at a high level,” Poh said.

Freshman Amber Williams took fifth place in the long jump with a leap of 5.53 meters.

Tying for sixth place in the high jump at 1.56 meters was sophomore Alyssa Iserman and juniors Mary Katherine Kladar and Caitlin Thomson.

Senior Ace McCarthy placed sixth in the men’s high jump with a clearance of 1.90 meters.

Sophomore Matt Brendemihl placed fourth for the Pioneer men’s triple jump with a leap of 13.67 meters.

Placing sixth in the triple jump was senior Jessica Jentz at 10.58 meters.

Freshman Caitlin Hare placed eleventh with a 3.25 meter clearance in the pole vault.

With a mark of 43.65 meters in the discus, freshman Kyle Whaley finished ninth.