Proficient execution from the Pioneers’ women’s and men’s track and field teams led them to success at the Platteville Invitational. UW-Platteville was particularly good in distance events, setting both university and individual records during the invite on April 15.

In women’s shot put, Brianna Leahy made a throw of 14.97-meters, a school and personal record. Her distance also ranks first nationally. In other distance-related events, Gwen Orr took first place in both the
100-meter dash, with a time of 11.97 seconds and her winning 200-meter mark of 24.65 ranks among the best in NCAA DIII.

Additionally, Kirstie Ramsey placed second in the 1500-meter with a career-best 4:52.60 time. Paulina Wienke achieved a personal-best discus distance with a 36.97-meter throw. In the 400-meter hurdles, Jessica Buss placed third, with a season-best time of 1:06.32 for the Pioneers.

In men’s events, Justin Eichler, ranked No. 2 nationwide in the hammer throw, won the event with 58.32-meters. The fifteenth-ranked Alex Girard finished third for UW-Platteville.

In relays, the 4×400-meter team of Cade VanHout, Jacob Downing, Spencer Vanek and Zach Zenner earned a winning time of 3:19.45. In the 4×100-meter, the team of Downing, Vanek, VanHout and Derrick Turner was also victorious, running the event in 42.24 seconds. Individually, Will Lawrence won the javelin-throw with a 55.46-meter toss. Jacob Rice came in third for the Pioneers. Weston Pink took second in the triple jump with a 13.47-meter jump. Caleb Christansen also ran a lifetime-best of 14:54.88 in the 5000-meter run.