2004 WIAC Women's Indoor Track & Field Season Headlines

UW-Oshkosh's Woodworth Named Honda Track and Field Athlete of the Year

RELEASED: Friday, July 2, 2004

Oshkosh, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh distance runner Liz Woodworth (Sr. o Marinette) has been named by the Board of The Collegiate Women Sports Awards as the 2004 NCAA Division III Track and Field Athlete of the Year.

The Collegiate Women Sports Awards is in its 28th year of recognizing the top woman athlete in 12 NCAA Division I, II and III sports. And to celebrate the selections, the American Honda Motor Co., Inc., has donated $1,000 to the women's athletics fund of each honoree's university. Woodworth is the first UW-Oshkosh athlete to be recognized by the organization since cross country standout Tiffany Ebensperger in 1997.

In addition to Woodworth, other NCAA Division III honorees were Missy Buttry of Wartburg College (Iowa) in cross country, Brittany Cary of McMurry University (Texas) in golf, Allison Coleman of Eastern Connecticut State University in basketball, Beth Galloway of Kenyon College (Ohio) in swimming and diving, Mary Ellen Gordon of Emory University (Ga.) in tennis, Kristin Moyer of Eastern Mennonite University (Va.) in field hockey, Janet Nagle of the University of St. Thomas (Minn.) in softball, Renee Neuner of the University of Chicago (Ill.) in soccer, Carrie Santore of State University of New York-Brockport in gymnastics, Amy Smith of the University of La Verne (Calif.) in volleyball and Katie Wagenblast of The College of New Jersey in lacrosse.

This past spring, Woodworth won three individual titles as the Titans finished first at the NCAA Division III indoor and outdoor championships. Woodworth was named the "Outstanding Track Performer" at both national meets as she captured the 800-meter run indoors and the 800 and 1,500-meter runs outdoors. She also was a member of the Titans' distance medley relay team that placed first at the NCAA Division III Indoor Championship.

Competing at the WIAC indoor and outdoor championships this past spring, Woodworth totaled six league titles. Woodworth was named the "Outstanding Track Performer" at both conference meets after winning indoor and outdoor titles in the 800 and 1,500-meter runs. She also ran on the Titans' indoor distance medley relay and outdoor 3,200-meter relay teams that won league titles.

Woodworth established a pair of NCAA Division III records during the 2004 season by posting times of 2:06.49 in the 800-meter run and 4:18.55 in the 1,500-meter run. Woodworth's record performance in the 1,500-meter run qualified her for the United States Olympic Trials that will be held July 9-18 in Sacramento, Calif.

The 2004 track and field season was Woodworth's last at UW-Oshkosh. Her four-year career (2001-04) with the Titans featured seven individual titles, two relay crowns and 12 All-America mentions at the NCAA Division III indoor and outdoor championships and 12 individual titles and five top relay listings at the WIAC indoor and outdoor championships.

"Liz is a very humble and kind person who possesses a dynamic work ethic," said UW-Oshkosh women's track and field coach Deb Vercauteren. "She is highly respected by her peers and opponents and is one of the finest middle-distance runners in NCAA Division III history."

Woodworth, a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American, will conclude her cross country career for the Titans this fall. The medical technology major is a two-time All-American in the sport, with a second-place finish at the NCAA Division III Championship in 2003 and an eighth-place finish in 2001. Woodworth is the defending WIAC cross country champion.

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Three Receive Women's Track and Field/Cross Country Academic All-America Accolades

RELEASED: Thursday, July 1, 2004

Madison, Wis.--Three Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) individuals have been named to the 2004 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-America College Division Women's Track and Field/Cross Country Team. UW-Oshkosh's Elizabeth Woodworth and UW-Stout's Laura Verdegan were first team picks, while UW-Oshkosh's Kay Mikolajczak was a second team selection.

Woodworth, a senior from Marinette, Wis., was named to the Academic All-America squad for the second consecutive season after receiving second team honors a year ago. She holds a 3.627 grade point average while majoring in medical technology with a minor in chemistry and was named the WIAC Judy Kruckman Women's Indoor Track and Field Scholar-Athlete Award this season. Woodworth was named the Outstanding Track Performer at the 2004 NCAA Division III outdoor championships after winning the 800-meter run and 1,500-meter run titles. She is a three-time national champion in the 800-meter run at the indoor meet and a two-time All-American in cross country.

Verdegan, a junior from Tony, Wis. (Flambeau H.S.) maintains a 3.991 grade point average while majoring in dietetics. Earlier this year, she was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District Five College Division Women's Basketball First Team and claimed the WIAC Judy Kruckman Women's Basketball Scholar-Athlete Award. Verdegan was the 2004 NCAA Division III indoor triple jump champion and finished fourth in the event at the outdoor championship. She won the WIAC indoor and outdoor triple jump titles and the outdoor 400-hurdle crown in a conference record time.

Mikolajczak, a senior from Franklin, Wis., is majoring in biology with a minor in pre-physical therapy and carries a 3.925 grade point average. She was named to the 2004 CoSIDA Academic All-America College Division Women's Basketball Second Team and was presented the Jostens Trophy, an award recognizing the most outstanding female student-athlete in NCAA Division III basketball. Mikolajczak also received the WIAC Judy Kruckman Women's Basketball Scholar-Athlete Award in 2004. She placed fourth in the heptathlon at the 2004 NCAA Division III outdoor championships after placing fifth in 2002. Mikolajczak also finished second in both the heptathlon and high jump at the WIAC championships this year.

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Four Named To Women's Track and Field/Cross Country Academic All-District Team

RELEASED: Monday, June 7, 2004

Madison, Wis.--Four Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) student-athletes have been named to the 2004 CoSIDA Academic All-District Five College Division Women's Track and Field/Cross Country Team. UW-Oshkosh's Kay Mikolajczak and Elizabeth Woodworth and UW-Stout's Laura Verdegan were named to the first team, while UW-Eau Claire's Laura Tamm was a second team selection.

Mikolajczak, a senior from Franklin, Wis., is majoring biology with a minor in pre-physical therapy and carries a 3.925 grade point average. She placed fourth in the heptathlon at the 2004 NCAA Division III outdoor championships after placing fifth in 2002. Mikolajczak also finished second in both the heptathlon and high jump at the WIAC championship this year. She was named to the 2004 CoSIDA Academic All-America College Division Women's Basketball Second Team and was presented the Jostens Trophy, an award recognizing the most outstanding female student-athlete in NCAA Division III basketball. Mikolajczak also received the WIAC Women's Basketball Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete Award in 2004.

Woodworth, a senior from Marinette, Wis., holds a 3.627 grade point average, while majoring in medical technology with a minor in chemistry. She was named the Outstanding Track Performer at the 2004 NCAA Division III outdoor championships after winning the 800-meter run and 1,500-meter run titles. Woodworth is three-time national champion in the 800-meter run at the indoor meet and a two-time All-American in cross country. She received the WIAC Judy Kruckman Indoor Track and Field Scholar-Athlete Award this year and was named to the 2003 CoSIDA Academic All-America College Division Women's Track and Field/Cross Country Second Team.

Verdegan, a junior from Tony, Wis. (Flambeau H.S.), maintains a 3.991 grade point average while majoring in dietetics. She was the 2004 NCAA Division III indoor triple jump champion and finished fourth in the event at the outdoor championship. Verdegan won the WIAC indoor and outdoor triple jump championships and the 400-hurdle title in a conference record time. She was also named to the 2004 CoSIDA Academic All-District Five College Division Women's Basketball First Team and claimed the WIAC Women's Basketball Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete Award.

Tamm, a senior from Brillion, Wis., is majoring in biology and carries a 3.81 grade point average. She finished fourth in the discus and seventh in the javelin at the conference outdoor championship this year and also participated in the discus at the national meet.

The academic all-district team is comprised of all NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA student-athletes from Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Minnesota and is voted on by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

Mikolajczak, Woodworth and Verdegan are now eligible for the Academic All-America squad, which will be announced at the end of June.

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Whitewater, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh claimed the 2004 NCAA Division III women's indoor track and field national championship at UW-Whitewater's Kachel Fieldhouse on March 13.

UW-Oshkosh totaled 56.50 team points en route to the fourth title in school history (1996, 1995, 1994). Wheaton (Mass.) had won the last five national championships and finished second with 28 points. The Titans' margin of victory over the Lyons tied a meet record that was originally set in 2002 when Wheaton (Mass.) defeated second-place UW-Oshkosh, 65.50-37.

UW-Stevens Point tied with Bates (Maine) for third with 23 points and UW-Stout finished fifth with 21 points. The Pointers and Blue Devils each posted the best finishes in school history.

UW-Eau Claire finished 16th with 11 points, UW-La Crosse tied for 23rd with eight points, UW-Platteville and UW-River Falls tied for 33rd with five points and UW-Whitewater tied for 44th with three points.

UW-Oshkosh's Elizabeth Woodworth and Robyn Jarocki each claimed individual national titles. Woodworth won the 800-meter run for the third straight season with a time of 2:10.76. She is second individual in NCAA Division III history to win three straight crowns in the 800-meter run, joining Genesia Eddins of Mass.-Boston (1986-88). Woodworth was named the Outstanding Track Athlete of the Meet for her efforts.

Jarocki was named the Outstanding Field Athlete of the Meet after winning the 20-pound weight throw with a NCAA Division III championship meet record toss of 60-3 3/4. She also placed second in the shot put with a heave of 48-0.

The Titans' Jackie Munoz, Julie Hoch, Emily Steinhafel and Woodworth teamed to win the distance medley relay with a time of 11:44.56.

UW-Stout's Laura Verdegan won the triple jump with a distance of 39-7 and also finished fourth in the long jump with a leap of 18-1.

Also claiming All-America honors (top eight finish in each event) from the WIAC were:
800-Meter Run: Elizabeth Woodworth (UW-Oshkosh-Champion), Jenna Mitchler (UW-Stevens Point-6th)
1,500-Meter Run: Leah Herlache (UW-Stevens Point-2nd), Megan Craig (UW-Stevens Point-3rd)
5,000-Meter Run: Jackie Mulrooney (UW-Platteville-4th), Julia Rudd (UW-La Crosse-8th)
55-Meter Hurdles: Jennifer Stafslien (UW-Eau Claire-4th)
High Jump: Julie Hoch (UW-Oshkosh-3rd), Jill Crandall (UW-River Falls-5th)
Long Jump: Jennifer Stafslien (UW-Eau Claire-3rd), Laura Verdegan (UW-Stout-4th)
Triple Jump: Laura Verdegan (UW-Stout-Champion)
Pole Vault: Bethany Renner (UW-La Crosse-4th)
Shot Put: Robyn Jarocki (UW-Oshkosh-2nd), Danielle Rankin (UW-Oshkosh-5th)
20-Pound Weight Throw: Robyn Jarocki (UW-Oshkosh-Champion), Marci Schachtner (UW-Stout-3rd), Penny Godleske (UW-Oshkosh-4th), Danielle Rankin (UW-Oshkosh-5th), Beth Proeber (UW-Whitewater-6th), Jen Leis (UW-River Falls-8th)

4 x 400-Meter Relay: UW-La Crosse (Melissa Marvin, Kelly Runkle, Shelli Gotto, Angela Klatt-7th)

Distance Medley Relay: UW-Oshkosh (Jackie Munoz, Julie Hoch, Emily Steinhafel, Elizabeth Woodworth-Champion), UW-Stevens Point (Leah Herlache, Marie Burrows, Jenna Mitchler, Megan Craig-3rd)

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UW-Oshkosh's Woodworth Named Women's Indoor Track and Field Scholar-Athlete

RELEASED: Monday, March 8, 2004

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh's Elizabeth Woodworth has been named the 2004 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Judy Kruckman Women's Indoor Track and Field Scholar-Athlete, it was announced recently by WIAC Commissioner Gary Karner.

Woodworth, a senior from Marinette, Wis., is majoring in medical technology with a minor chemistry and microbiology and carries a 3.627 grade point average. She was named to the CoSIDA Women's Track and Field/Cross Country Academic All-America Second Team last year and is a three-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll. Woodworth has been recognized on UW-Oshkosh's Honor Roll four times and the Dean's List three times, while also receiving an academic scholarship in her field of study.

Woodworth is a four-time indoor conference champion in the 800-meter run, a two-time winner in the 1,500-meter run and a three-time member of top distance medley relay team. She is a two-time indoor national champion in the 800-meter run and a member of the winning distance medley relay team in 2002. Woodworth was voted the league's Indoor Track Athlete of the Meet, as well as the team's Most Valuable Runner, in 2003 and also holds four indoor school records and a pair of indoor conference records.

Woodworth is also a member of UW-Oshkosh's Student-Athlete Advisory Board.

Woodworth becomes the third women's indoor track and field athlete from UW-Oshkosh to win the league scholar-athlete award in the six years of the prize. She joins Jessica Marx (2002) and Jennifer McConkey (2000).

Also nominated for this year's scholar-athlete award were: UW-Eau Claire's Heather Lipinski, UW-La Crosse's Angela Klatt, UW-Platteville's Carla Kegel and Tracey Kuehne, UW-River Falls' Marian Christen and Stephanie Dura and UW-Stout's Tracy Oostdyk.

The WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award is sponsored by Culver's. In order to be nominated for the scholar-athlete award, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.25 grade point average, be in their last year of competition, or on schedule to graduate this academic year, and have competed for a minimum of two years.

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Menomonie, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse claimed its fifth straight Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women's indoor track and field championship following completion of the two-day conference meet at UW-Stout's Sports & Fitness Center on March 6.

UW-La Crosse finished with 159.50 team points, to outdistance UW-Oshkosh, which placed second with 145 points for the closest margin of victory since 1984 when Marquette University edged UW-Eau Claire 52-46. UW-Stevens Point finished third (121), followed by UW-Eau Claire (78.50), UW-River Falls (55), UW-Stout (48), UW-Whitewater (46), UW-Platteville (43) and UW-Superior (5).

UW-La Crosse, which has won six conference titles in the last eight seasons, claimed three individual championships and two relay titles en route to the championship. Angela Klatt became the first individual in conference history to win four consecutive 200-meter dash titles when she crossed the line in 25.49. She also won the 55-meter dash for the second straight season with a time of 7.31.

UW-La Crosse's Julia Rudd won the 3,000-meter run with a time of 10:24.07.

The Eagles' 4 x 200-meter relay team of Talia Williams, Kelly Runkle, Mary Swenson and Courtney Poziombke finished first with a time of 1:45.85. The quartet of Shelli Gotto, Melissa Marvin, Klatt and Runkle won the 4 x 400-meter relay with a time of 4:01.11.

UW-Oshkosh captured five individual titles and one relay crown during the two-day competition. Elizabeth Woodworth became the first individual in league history to capture four straight 800-meter run titles when she crossed the line in 2:12.89. She also won the 1,500-meter run for the second consecutive season with a time of 4:39.82. Woodworth was voted the Track Performer of the Meet for the second successive year for her efforts.

UW-Oshkosh's Julie Hoch secured the pentathlon for the second straight year with 3,231 points and was voted the Field Performer of the Meet for her efforts. Kelly Rehn claimed the pole vault with a height of 12-0, while Robyn Jarocki had a conference-record toss of 60-3 3/4 in winning the 20-pound weight throw.

The Titans also won the distance medley relay with a conference record time of 11:51.50. Jackie Munoz, Nadine Pieske, Emily Steinhafel and Woodworth made up the winning team.

UW-Eau Claire's Jennifer Stafslien set a conference record in the 55-meter hurdles with a time of 8.28 and also won the long jump with a leap of 17-8 3/4.

UW-River Falls' Jill Crandall claimed the high jump with a height of 5-5 1/4, while her teammate, Stephanie Dura captured the shot put with a toss of 44-11 1/2.

UW-Platteville's Jackie Mulrooney won the 5,000-meter run with a time of 17:32.87.

UW-Stout's Laura Verdegan claimed the triple jump for the second straight season with a leap of 39-3.

UW-Whitewater's Katelyn Friedel secured the 400-meter dash with a time of 57.75.

UW-La Crosse head coach Pat Healy was voted the Coach of the Year for the fifth straight season.

Team Scores:
1. UW-La Crosse 159.50
2. UW-Oshkosh 145
3. UW-Stevens Point 121
4. UW-Eau Claire 78.50
5. UW-River Falls 55
6. UW-Stout 48
7. UW-Whitewater 46
8. UW-Platteville 43
9. UW-Superior 5

Individual Event Champions:
55-Meter Dash: Angela Klatt (UW-La Crosse), 7.31
200-Meter Dash: Angela Klatt (UW-La Crosse), 25.49
400-Meter Dash: Katelyn Friedel (UW-Whitewater), 57.75
800-Meter Run: Elizabeth Woodworth (UW-Oshkosh), 2:12.89
1,500-Meter Run: Elizabeth Woodworth (UW-Oshkosh), 4:39.82
3,000-Meter Run: Julia Rudd (UW-La Crosse), 10:24.07
5,000-Meter Run: Jackie Mulrooney (UW-Platteville), 17:32.87
55-Meter Hurdles: Jennifer Stafslien (UW-Eau Claire), 8.28*
High Jump: Jill Crandall (UW-River Falls), 5-5 1/4 (1.66m)
Long Jump: Jennifer Stafslien (UW-Eau Claire), 17-8 3/4 (5.40m)
Triple Jump: Laura Verdegan (UW-Stout), 39-3 (11.96m)
Pole Vault: Kelly Rehn (UW-Oshkosh), 12-0 (3.66m)
Shot Put: Stephanie Dura (UW-River Falls), 44-11 1/2 (13.70m)
20-Pound Weight Throw: Robyn Jarocki (UW-Oshkosh), 60-3 3/4 (18.38m)*
Pentathlon: Julie Hoch (UW-Oshkosh), 3,231 points

4 x 200-Meter Relay: UW-La Crosse (Talia Williams, Kelly Runkle, Mary Swenson, Courtney Poziombke), 1:45.85
4 x 400-Meter Relay: UW-La Crosse (Shelli Gotto, Kelly Runkle, Melissa Marvin, Angela Klatt), 4:01.11
Distance Medley Relay: UW-Oshkosh (Jackie Munoz, Nadine Pieske, Emily Steinhafel, Elizabeth Woodworth), 11:51.50*

*Conference Record

Track Performer of the Meet: Elizabeth Woodworth of UW-Oshkosh
Field Performer of the Meet: Julie Hoch of UW-Oshkosh
Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete: Elizabeth Woodworth of UW-Oshkosh
Coach of the Year: Pat Healy of UW-La Crosse

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UW-Whitewater Prepares To Host NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships

RELEASED: Monday, February 2, 2004 (Written By: Tom Fick, UW-W Sports Information)

Whitewater, Wis.--The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will host the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track and Field Championship Friday and Saturday, March 12-13.

“The NCAA Division III Track and Field Championship is a premiere event on the collegiate sports calendar, and we are proud to be able to host this event in our outstanding new facility, the Kachel Fieldhouse,” UW-W interim director of athletics Bob Lanza said. “When the fieldhouse was in the planning stages it was with the idea that we would be able to attract events of this magnitude. Now that the facility is a reality we have a tremendous opportunity. A lot of time, effort and energy has gone in to the planning of the track championships and I think that the visiting athletes, coaches, official and fans from around the country will see what we already know – that we have a first class facility and put on a first class championship event.”

The event will bring approximately 200 female athletes and 200 male athletes to the Kachel Fieldhouse/ Williams Center.

“Preparations for the DIII championships are progressing smoothly”, meet director Jennifer Brown commented. “UW-Whitewater is honored to serve as the host, and we are committed to providing a first class experience for the athletes, and wish them luck on their journey to the national meet and Whitewater.”

UW-Whitewater’s athletic facilities have undergone a dramatic change in recent years. The Williams Center, the focal point for UW-W athletics since its opening in 1968, was extensively renovated as part of the plan for a fieldhouse addition. The main gym, named in honor of principal donors David and Lolita Kachel, was given new seating, a new design on the floor, a new ceiling and sound system and other touches. The revamped gym allowed UW-W to designate other space for specific needs, for example, providing a permanent home for wrestling and gymnastics. The Kachel Fieldhouse, which opened during the 2000-2001 school year, added an indoor track which also includes batting cages, basketball courts, and tennis courts; volleyball arena, weight and aerobics training area, athletic trainers’ offices and workspace, equipment room, locker rooms, classrooms, computer lab and other improvements. In November of 2003, the University dedicated the Student Athlete Complex, built north of Williams Center, adjacent to Perkins Field. The SAC will allow classes and other activities that would normally be disrupted by hosting an event the size of the NCAA III Track and Field Championship to be conducted without distraction.

UW-Whitewater has extensive national tournament experience. This will be the third time that UW-W has hosted a winter sport championship. The University previously hosted the 1978 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Wrestling Championship, and the 1980 NAIA Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Championship. UW-W has also hosted national championship volleyball events, including the 2001 and 2002 NCAA III championship tournament semifinals/finals, several NCAA III women’s and men’s basketball tournament rounds, NCAA III men’s soccer tournament play, NCAA III football playoff games, the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) women’s golf championship, and AIAW and NCAA III women’s softball regional competition.

Tickets for the championship will be sold as single session and all session. Adult tickets are $5 per session, or $8 for the entire championship. Student tickets are $3 and $5. There are no advance ticket sales, with all tickets sold at the door on the day(s) of the event.

UW-Whitewater has set up a web site specifically devoted to the NCAA III Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track and Field Championship. Please go to: http://www.uww.edu/athletics/ncaatrack/index.php
The NCAA championships web site is: http://www.ncaasports.com/indoortrack/mens/championship-info

For media credentials or requests please contact the UW-W sports information office at (262) 472-1147, via fax at (262) 472-5656, or via postal at Sports Information Office, 112C Williams Center, UW-Whitewater, Whitewater, WI 53190.

Nisius Named UW-Superior Cross Country/Track and Field Head Coach

RELEASED: Wednesday, August 20, 2003

Superior, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Superior has named Paul Nisius as its new Cross Country/ Track and Field Coach. Nisius comes to the Yellowjackets from Bigfork, Minnesota where he was the head track and field coach for ten years and taught Business Education. He also served as an assistant aoach with the Grand Rapids High School Cross Country program for three years.

A native of Duluth, Minn., Nisius competed at Duluth Central High School. He also competed collegiately in Cross Country and Track & Field at the University of Minnesota-Duluth from 1986-90. He was the captain of both teams and was named the Bulldogs' Outstanding Senior Athlete in 1990.

While at Bigfork, Nisius had track and field Athletes qualify for the Minnesota State High School Meet the last eight years. At Grand Rapids, the cross country program captured the Minnesota State AA High School Championship in 2000. The Thunderhawks were state runners-up in 2001 and captured third place in 2002.

UW-Superior Athletic Director Jeff Kaminsky is excited about Nisius' hiring. "We are excited to add Paul Nisius to our staff and take over the leadership of the cross country and track and field programs. Paul's dedication and enthusiasm are obvious. I look forward to having Paul bring that kind of excitement to our department and work to develop the cross country and track and field programs."

Nisius graduated from Minnesota-Duluth in 1990 with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Business Administration. He has his USA Track & Field Level II Coaching Certifications in Endurance, Sprints, Hurdles and Relays.

"There is a lot of high school talent in Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin, and I am hoping my knowledge of the local coaches and athletes will aid in recruiting. The WIAC is an extremely competitive conference, and I look forward to the challenge of guiding UW-Superior against other traditionally successful programs in the conference."

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