Kevin Ruechel repeats as WIAC shot put champion

2022 WIAC Indoor Track and Field Championships (presented by Culver's) | Live Results

PLATTEVILLE (February 25, 2022) - All five of UW-Stout's Kevin Ruechel's marked shot put throws would have won the event as Ruechel repeated as the conference champion at the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Indoor Track and Field Championship Friday at UW-Platteville.

On his third throw, Ruechel was marked at an even 18.00-meters (59-feet, 0.75-inches). Ruechel's first throw of the day was 16.97-meters (55-8.25), which would still have finished first to second place finisher Yakoub Ekoue's toss of 16.43 (53-11). Ruechel won the 2020 conference title. There was no WIAC indoor meet in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ruechel became the third Blue Devil to win at least two shot put crowns. Hall of Famers Mark Overgaard and Jason Lehman each won three titles. 

Both Spencer Schultz and Matthew Ryan earned a trip to the championship podium in the 5000-meter. Schultz finished third in a time of 14-minutes, 39.90-seconds and Ryan was fifth at 14:50.75. Ethan Hinderman was 16th (15:29.45), Ian Williams was 17th (15:29.67), Max Fore 21st (15:47.63) and Mitchell Popp was 27th (16:15.60). 

The distance medley relay team of Alex Suelflow, Keegan Pulchinski, Lance Pfrimmer and Calvin Fiala were seventh in a time of 10:34.98. 

In the 60-hurdles, Noah Beck was 10th (8.52), Carter Wente was 11th (8.53), Kaden Martin was 12th (8.56) and Hayden Wagner was 14th (8.64). Brent Heilman was 17th in the 60-meter (7.06). Owen Jelinek was 16th in the 400 (51.01). 

In the shot put, Anthony Kuehl was 15th (40-6.25), Derek Millard was 18th (39-2.50) and Connor Walechka was 21st (37-3.25). In the long jump, Bobby Vang was 21st (20-7) and Jakes Asembo was 22nd (20-5). 

In the pole vault, Backes was 10th (14-4.75) and Michael Volz was 13th (13-11). Jacob Tomazevic did not clear height. 

After the first day in the heptathlon, Mason Barth was in fifth place, Brandon Dick was in eighth and Hayden Zachgo was in 15th. 

As a team, Stout was fifth after the first day with 22 points.