EAU CLAIRE, Wis./DES MOINES, Iowa - The University of Wisconsin-Stout men's and women's track and field teams turned in a strong all-around performance at the Dick & Mary Johnson Invitational, hosted by UW-Eau Claire Saturday at Simpson Field, while also sending a group of student-athletes to compete at the Drake Relays.
Women's Highlights
UW-Stout was dominant in the field events, particularly in the pole vault, where the Blue Devils swept the top three spots. Leah Zastrow won the event, clearing 3.97 meters (13-0.25), while Raegan Sorensen placed second at 3.82 meters (12-6.25) and Mack Champion finished third at 3.52 meters (11-6.50). Zoe Myers added an eighth-place finish.
On the track, Makayla Durango turned in a pair of strong sprint performances, placing fifth in the 100-meter dash (12.53) and ninth in the 200-meter dash (25.75). Lilly Gamache qualified for the 100-meter final.
In the 400 meters, Corrina Tvedt led the way with a third-place finish (59.07), followed closely by Ava Budworth in fourth (59.14).
In distance events, Alexys Smith placed 10th in the 800 meters (2:21.13), while Arlie Kapaun led Stout in the 1500 meters with a ninth-place finish (4:59.36). Bryanna Hoffman added a runner-up finish in the 3000-meter steeplechase (12:34.61).
Megan Liebers paced the hurdlers, finishing eighth in the 100-meter hurdles (15.61) and third in the 400-meter hurdles (1:04.65).
In the throws, Lincoln Wellsmith placed second in the shot put (12.90m), while Ava Mack recorded a runner-up finish in the discus (42.96m). Mack also added a top-15 finish in the shot put.
Men's Highlights
The Blue Devils saw standout performances in the sprints, led by Braedon Pederson, who placed second in the 100-meter dash with a time of 11.05. Jonny Grams added a fifth-place finish in the final.
Conner Blade turned in a strong day, placing second in the 200 meters (22.11) and adding a second-place finish in the 400 meters (49.37). Nolyn Lindner captured the 400-meter title with a time of 49.03 and also placed fifth in the 200 meters.
In the middle distance events, Nick Schulte led a strong Stout contingent in the 800 meters, placing fifth (1:55.32), with three additional Blue Devils finishing inside the top 10. In the 1500 meters, Walter Strait paced Stout with a fifth-place finish (4:00.90), followed closely by Alexander Burmeister and Josh Ellerman.
Joe Huber recorded a third-place finish in the 3000-meter steeplechase (9:52.76).
In the field events, Matthew Binstock placed second in the high jump (1.96m) and added another runner-up finish in the triple jump (13.70m).
Braden Krystosek cleared 5.00 meters (16-4.75) to place second in the pole vault, while Triton Robey added a seventh-place finish.
In the throws, Karter Rashke placed second in the shot put (16.79m), leading multiple Blue Devils in the event.
Drake Relays
A select group of Blue Devils competed at the prestigious Drake Relays, highlighted by several solid relay performances.
The men's 4x100-meter relay team of Nolyn Lindner, James John, Jonny Grams and Braedon Pederson placed 18th with a time of 42.55.
The women's 4x400-meter relay team of Corrina Tvedt, Kaylie Raths, Megan Liebers and Ava Budworth finished 23rd, crossing the line in 3:58.01.
Kaylie Raths also competed individually in the 100-meter hurdles, clocking a time of 14.91 to place 30th.
In the men's 4x110-meter shuttle hurdles, the quartet of Nolan Zachgo, Malachy Driscoll, Eli Key and Thomas Casey posted a time of 1:01.23.
UW-Stout will travel to La Crosse, Wis. May 1-2 to compete at the WIAC Championships.
