2006 WIAC Women's Indoor Track & Field Headlines

Three Named to Academic All-America Women's Track and Field/Cross Country Team

Madison, Wis.--Three Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) student-athletes have been named to the 2006 CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America College Division Women's Track and Field/Cross Country Team. UW-Stevens Point's Jenna Mitchler was a second team choice, while UW-La Crosse's Julia Rudd and UW-Whitewater's Megan Kielar were third team honorees.

The team is comprised of all NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA student-athletes from around the country and is voted on by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

Mitchler, a senior from Kaukauna, Wis., is majoring in education and carries a 3.59 grade point average. She won the indoor national title in the 800-meter run in 2005 and finished third in the indoor one-mile run in 2006. Mitchler won the WIAC crown in the 800-meter run and 3,000-meter run at the 2005 indoor championships.

Rudd, a senior from Oshkosh, Wis. (West H.S.), is majoring in sports management and sustains a 3.57 grade point average. She claimed the conference's Judy Kruckman Outdoor Track and Field Scholar-Athlete Award this year. Rudd is a two-time WIAC cross country champion and has three All-America honors in the sport. She won the national title in the steeplechase in 2004 and is a two-time outdoor All-American in the 5,000-meter run and the indoor 5,000-meter event.

Kielar, a senior from McHenry, Ill. (McHenry West H.S.), boasts a 3.91 grade point average and is majoring in elementary education. She secured the WIAC Judy Kruckman Indoor Scholar-Athlete Award this year and the Cross Country Scholar-Athlete honor in 2005. Kielar finished third in the indoor 800-meter run at the WIAC championships the last two years and finished seventh nationally in the event a year ago.

Seven Named to Academic All-District Women's Track and Field/Cross Country Team

Madison, Wis.--Seven Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) student-athletes have been named to the 2006 CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Five College Division Women's Track and Field/Cross Country Team. UW-Eau Claire's Jane-Marie Ovanin, UW-La Crosse's Julia Rudd, UW-Stevens Point's Jenna Mitchler and UW-Whitewater's Megan Kielar were named to the first team, while UW-Eau Claire's Stephanie Barnes and Liz Faller and UW-Oshkosh's Sarah Schettle were second team picks.

The 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).

Ovanin, a senior from Amherst, Wis., boasts a 3.94 grade point average and is an art major with a sculpture and metalsmithing emphasis. She claimed the WIAC Judy Kruckman Women's Cross Country Scholar-Athlete Award in 2005. At the conference indoor meet this year, Ovanin placed fifth in the 3,000-meter run and sixth in the 5,000-meter competition. She registered a fourth-place finish in both the 5,000-meter run and 10,000-meter run at the league outdoor championships in 2006.

Ovanin, Rudd, Mitchler and Kielar are now eligible for the Academic All-America team, which will be announced on June 22.

Barnes, a junior from Sauk City, Wis. (Sauk Prairie H.S.), is a kinesiology major and carries a 3.65 grade point average. She won the national indoor pole vault title this year and the outdoor crown in 2005. Barnes also claimed the conference indoor title in the event the past two seasons.

Faller, a junior from Marinette, Wis., possesses a 3.97 grade point average and is majoring in physical education. She claimed conference titles in the indoor 55-meter hurdles and outdoor 100-meter hurdles this year, while finishing fourth nationally in the outdoor 100-meter hurdles.

Schettle, a junior from Oshkosh, Wis. (West H.S.), is majoring in chemistry and maintains a 3.90 grade point average. She was a member of the 1,600-meter relay team that finished sixth at the national indoor championships and finished second in the 100-meter hurdles at the WIAC outdoor championships this season.

Madison, Wis.--Four Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) indoor track and field athletes have garnered awards from United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). UW-La Crosse's Nate Olson, UW-Oshkosh's Brandon Houle and Robyn Jarocki and UW-Platteville's Marcia Taddy all received honors for their performances during the 2006 indoor season.

Olson, a senior from Stevens Point, Wis. (SPASH), was named the Track Performer of the Meet at the NCAA Division III Championships after winning the 400-meter dash title for the second straight year with a time of 48.26. He also participated on the winning 4 x 400-meter relay team that posted a time of 3:16.36. UW-La Crosse won its sixth straight national title this season.

Houle, a junior from Oshkosh, Wis. (North H.S.), received the NCAA Division III Midwest Region Men's Indoor Field Athlete of the Year Award. He earned All-America honors in the 35-pound weight throw and shot put events to lead UW-Oshkosh to a third-place finish at the national championships. Houle placed third in the 35-pound weight throw with a school-record cast of 63-11 and fourth in the shot put with a toss of 55-4 3/4.

At the WIAC Championships, Houle won the 35-pound weight throw with a heave of 63-3 3/4 and the shot put with a hurl of 55-7. His efforts helped UW-Oshkosh finish third in the team standings.

Jarocki, a senior from Merrill, Wis., was selected the NCAA Division III Women's Indoor Field Athlete of the Year. She set meet and school records in the 20-pound weight throw and shot put events as UW-Oshkosh won its third consecutive national title. Jarocki was named the meet's Outstanding Field Performer after winning the 20-pound weight throw with a hurl of 68-10 and the shot put with a cast of 55-11 1/4.

At the WIAC Championships, Jarocki was voted the meet's Outstanding Field Performer after winning the 20-pound weight throw with a fling of 67-4 and the shot put with a toss of 51-1 3/4. She established WIAC records in both events as well as winning the 20-pound weight throw for the third consecutive year and the shot put for the second. Her efforts helped the Titans capture the team title.

Other season highlights for Jarocki include fifth-place finishes in the 20-pound weight throw and shot put events at the prestigious AT&T USA Indoor Track and Field Championship held Feb. 24-26 in Boston, Mass. She placed in front of seven competitors in the 20-pound weight throw with a toss of 66-8 and three participants in the shot put with a launch of 53-2 3/4.

Prior to receiving her national award, Jarocki was named the NCAA Division III Midwest Region Women's Indoor Field Athlete of the Year.

Taddy, a junior from Two Rivers, Wis., was named the NCAA Division III Midwest Region Track Athlete of the Year and the Track Performer of the Meet at the national championships.

She claimed the national title in the one-mile run with a time of 4:55.90. It marked the first individual indoor track and field national title in school history. Taddy also finished third in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:14.30 as UW-Platteville registered the best finish in school history with a sixth-place standing.

At the WIAC Championships, Taddy won the 800-meter run and one-mile run titles with times of 2:14.28 and 4:58.02, respectively.

Madison, Wis.--Deb Vercauteren, who celebrates her 25th season as the head women's track and field coach at UW-Oshkosh, has been named the 2006 NCAA Division III Women's Indoor Track and Field Coach of the Year by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

UW-Oshkosh outscored all 92 of its opponents during the past three months, including 54 at the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championship held March 10-11 in Northfield, Minn. It was the Titans' third consecutive NCAA Division III indoor title and sixth since 1994.

UW-Oshkosh also finished ahead of eight competitors at the WIAC Indoor Track and Field Championship held March 3-4 in Stevens Point. The WIAC indoor title was UW-Oshkosh's 11th since 1988.

Other highlights included first-place finishes at the six-team UW-Whitewater Warhawk Classic held Feb. 11, the nine-team UW-Oshkosh Invitational held Feb. 18 and the nine-team UW-Stevens Point Invitational held Feb. 25.

Ted Bulling of Nebraska Wesleyan University was selected as the 2006 NCAA Division III Men's Indoor Track and Field Coach of the Year.

Prior to receiving her national award, Vercauteren was named the 2006 NCAA Division III Midwest Region Women's Indoor Track and Field Coach of the Year. The 2006 NCAA Division III Midwest Region Men's Indoor Track and Field Coach of the Year was Roger Haynes of Monmouth College (Ill.).

Outdoors, Vercauteren has directed UW-Oshkosh to six NCAA Division III track and field championships. She also has won four NCAA Division III titles in 25 seasons as UW-Oshkosh's head women's cross country coach.

Vercauteren has tutored numerous NCAA Division III All-Americans during her coaching tenure at UW-Oshkosh, including 24 indoor track and field champions, 21 outdoor track and field champions and two cross country champions.

Vercauteren, an Ashwaubenon native, received a bachelor's degree from UW-Stevens Point in 1976 and a master's degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1980. She is married to John Zupanc, the head men's cross country coach and head men's track and field coach at UW-Oshkosh.

UW-Oshkosh Wins Third Consecutive NCAA Women's Indoor Track and Field Championship

Northfield, Minn.--University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh won its third consecutive NCAA Division III Women's Indoor Track and Field Championship on March 11 following completion of the two-day national meet at St. Olaf College's (Minn.) Tostrud Center.

The national title is the sixth in school history as the Titans also claimed crowns in 1996, 1995 and 1994.

UW-Oshkosh totaled 44 team points to outdistance Williams College (Mass.), which finished second with 38 points. City College of New York placed third with 27 points and Keene State (N.H.) and Illinois Wesleyan tied for fourth with 26 points.

UW-Platteville placed sixth with 25 points, UW-La Crosse seventh with 22 points, UW-Eau Claire 13th with 15 points, UW-Stevens Point tied for 23rd with eight points and UW-Whitewater tied for 36th with four points. The sixth-place finish and 25 team points for the Pioneers were the best in school history.

UW-Oshkosh's Robyn Jarocki won both the shot put and 20-pound weight throw crowns for the second straight year. It also marked the third straight season she has won the 20-pound weight throw. She had a winning heave of 55-11 1/4 in the shot put and a mark of 68-10 in the 20-pound weight throw. Both performances were the best in the NCAA Division III this season and set meet records and Tostrud Center records.

UW-Eau Claire's Stephanie Barnes won the pole vault title with a height of 12-7 1/2.

UW-Platteville's Marcia Taddy secured the one-mile run championship with a Tostrud Center record time of 4:55.90. It marked the first individual indoor track and field national title in school history.

The top eight finishers in each event at the national championship earned All-America honors.

WIAC All-Americans
400-Meter Dash: Nadine Pieske (UW-Oshkosh-4th), Amanda Donath (UW-Oshkosh-7th)

800-Meter Run: Marcia Taddy (UW-Platteville-3rd), Megan Kielar (UW-Whitewater-5th)

One-Mile Run: Marcia Taddy (UW-Platteville-Champion), Jenna Mitchler (UW-Stevens Point-3rd), Kristen Painter (UW-La Crosse-8th)

High Jump: Alyssa Leonard (UW-La Crosse-5th), Carrie Morschauser (UW-Platteville-8th)

Long Jump: Katie Fondow (UW-La Crosse-2nd), Erin Kokta (UW-Eau Claire-5th), Jena Durnin (UW-La Crosse-7th)

Pole Vault: Stephanie Barnes (UW-Eau Claire-Champion), Kelly Rehn (UW-Oshkosh-5th)

20-Pound Weight Throw: Robyn Jarocki (UW-Oshkosh-Champion), Danielle Rankin (UW-Oshkosh-3rd)

4 x 400-Meter Relay: UW-Oshkosh (Amanda Donath, Stephanie Sisk, Sarah Schettle, Nadine Pieske-5th), UW-Stevens Point (Andrea Irvine, Marie Burrows, Laura Simonis, Katie Simo-7th)

Distance Medley Relay: UW-Platteville (Jessica Scott, Mayia Corcoran, Stephanie Martin, Marcia Taddy-2nd), UW-La Crosse (Meagan Herlache, Katie Wagner, Melissa Palmer, Kristen Painter-6th)

UW-Whitewater's Kielar Wins Women's Indoor Track and Field Scholar-Athlete Award

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's Megan Kielar has won the 2006 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Judy Kruckman Women's Indoor Track and Field Scholar-Athlete Award.

Kielar, a senior from McHenry, Ill. (McHenry West H.S.), is majoring in elementary education with a minor in Spanish and boasts a 3.92 grade point average. She is a three-time All-Academic selection and has been named to the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll three years. Kielar has been recognized on UW-Whitewater's Dean's List every semester and has been the recipient of numerous academic scholarships from her institution.

Kielar, a team captain the last two years, has finished third in the 800-meter run at the league championships the past two seasons. She claimed All-America honors last year in the 800-meter run with a seventh-place finish. Kielar earned her team's Top Junior and Top Sophomore honors. She also received UW-Whitewater's Marty Van Steerederen Sports Woman of the Year award in 2004.

She is a member of the Phi Kappa Phi and Golden Key Honor Societies, along with the UW-Whitewater Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Kielar has worked as a track secretary for three years.

Also nominated for this year's scholar-athlete award were: UW-Eau Claire's Jane-Marie Ovanin, UW-La Crosse's Ariel Perkins, Julia Rudd and Kelly Runkle, UW-Oshkosh's Danielle Rankin, UW-Platteville's Stephanie Martin and Carrie Morschauser, UW-Stevens Point's Amy Frey, Jenna Mitchler and Teresa Stanley and UW-Stout's Camelle Meyer.

The WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award is named after Judy Kruckman, who served as Assistant Commissioner for the WIAC from 1996-98. Prior to this appointment, she functioned as Commissioner of the Wisconsin Women's Intercollegiate Athletic Conference from October, 1984 - September, 1996.

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.

Stevens Point, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and UW-Oshkosh won titles at the 2006 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Indoor Track and Field Championships, which were held at UW-Stevens Point's Multi-Activity Center March 3-4. UW-La Crosse claimed the men's crown, while UW-Oshkosh won the women's prize.

The men's championship for UW-La Crosse is its fifth straight and 31st in school history (2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2000, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1972, 1970, 1969).

UW-Oshkosh's women's crown is the 11th in school history (2006, 1999, 1998, 1996, 1995, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988).

The Eagles totaled 191 team points in the men's event. UW-Whitewater finished second with 152 points, followed by UW-Oshkosh (123.50), UW-Stevens Point (78.50), UW-Platteville (52.50), UW-Eau Claire (35), UW-Stout (32), UW-River Falls (29.50) and UW-Superior (8).

The Titans compiled 179.50 team points in the women's championship. Six-time defending champion UW-La Crosse placed second with 166.50 points, followed by UW-Eau Claire (113), UW-Platteville (77.50), UW-River Falls (64), UW-Stevens Point (60.50), UW-Stout and UW-Whitewater (16) and UW-Superior 8.

UW-La Crosse had three individuals claim titles during the second day of competition. Nate Olson won the 200-meter dash for the second straight year with a time of 21.86, while Marcus Walgrave captured the 55-meter hurdles championship for the second consecutive season with a NCAA automatic qualifying time of 7.52.

Matt Schultz secured the 55-meter dash crown with a NCAA provisional qualifying time of 6.45.

The Eagles also won both relay titles, securing the 4x200-meter relay crown with a time of 1:28.06 and the 4x400-meter relay with a NCAA provisional qualifying performance of 3:20.65.

UW-Oshkosh also claimed three individual titles as Nick Boehlke, Brandon Houle and Cal Kromm finished first in their events. Boehlke won his second championship of the meet, finishing first in the 3,000-meter run for the second consecutive year with a time of 8:37.03. He earned the Track Performer of the Meet award for his efforts.

Houle also claimed his second title of the meet after a winning heave of 55-7 in the shot put. His performance was a NCAA provisional qualifying mark.

Kromm was victorious in the 800-meter run with a NCAA provisional qualifying time of 1:53.77.

UW-Stevens Point's Mitch Ellis secured the high jump for the second straight year with a NCAA automatic qualifying height of 6-11 3/4. The Pointers' Kyle Steiner claimed the heptathlon with a conference and fieldhouse record 5,101 points. Steiner was voted the Field Performer of the Meet for his efforts.

UW-Whitewater's Brian Butzler won the one-mile run with a time of 4:16.36, while teammate Mike Paddock secured the triple jump crown with a NCAA provisional qualifying distance of 47-10 1/2.

UW-Stout's Derek Gonzenbach finished first in the 400-meter dash for the second straight season with a NCAA provisional qualifying time of 49.06.

UW-La Crosse's Mark Guthrie was voted the men's indoor coach of the year for fifth consecutive year and sixth time in his career. He also won the award in 2000.

In the women's championship, UW-Oshkosh claimed four individual titles. Robyn Jarocki won her second crown is as many days after a conference record heave of 67-4 the 20-pound weight throw. It marked the third straight year she has won the event and was also a NCAA automatic qualifying and fieldhouse record toss. She was voted the Field Performer of the Meet for her efforts.

The Titans' Amanda Donath secured the 400-meter dash with a conference record time of 57.36. Her time was also a NCAA provisional qualifying and fieldhouse record performance.

Nadine Pieske captured the 200-meter dash championship with a time of 25.61, while Lyndsay Thoma won the triple jump with a NCAA provisional qualifying leap of 37-6 3/4.

UW-Eau Claire's Stephanie Barnes and Liz Faller each secured individual titles. Barnes won the pole vault for the second straight year with a conference record and NCAA automatic qualifying height of 12-8. Faller captured the 55-meter hurdles title with a NCAA provisional qualifying time of 8.36.

UW-La Crosse's Julia Rudd was voted the Track Performer of the Meet after winning her second title in as many days. She won the 3,000-meter run with a time of 10:00.49.

The Eagles' Jena Durnin captured the 55-meter dash with a NCAA provisional qualifying time of 7.20.

UW-La Crosse also won both relay titles during the second day of competition. The 4 x 200-meter relay team posted a time of 1:44.20, while the 4 x 400-meter relay squad recorded a NCAA provisional qualifying mark of 3:59.03.

UW-Platteville's Marcia Taddy claimed the 800-meter run and one-mile run titles with NCAA provisional qualifying times of 2:14.28 and 4:58.02, respectively.

UW-Oshkosh's Deb Vercauteren was voted the women's indoor coach of the year for the second time in her career. She also won the prize in 1999.

Day Two Champions:
Men
55-Meter Dash: Matt Schultz (UW-La Crosse), 6.45
200-Meter Dash: Nate Olson (UW-La Crosse), 21.86
400-Meter Dash: Derek Gonzenbach (UW-Stout), 49.06
800-Meter Run: Cal Kromm (UW-Oshkosh), 1:53.77
One-Mile Run: Brian Butzler (UW-Whitewater), 4:16.36
3,000-Meter Run: Nick Boehlke (UW-Oshkosh), 8:37.03
55-Meter Hurdles: Marcus Walgrave (UW-La Crosse), 7.52
High Jump: Mitch Ellis (UW-Stevens Point), 6-11 3/4 (2.13 m)
Triple Jump: Mike Paddock (UW-Whitewater), 47-10 1/2 (14.59 m)
Shot Put: Brandon Houle (UW-Oshkosh), 55-7 (16.94 m)
Heptathlon: Kyle Steiner (UW-Stevens Point), 5,101 points*

Relay Champions:
4 x 200-Meter Relay: UW-La Crosse, 1:28.06
4 x 400-Meter Relay: UW-La Crosse, 3:20.65

Track Performer of the Meet: Nick Boehlke of UW-Oshkosh
Field Performer of the Meet: Kyle Steiner of UW-Stevens Point
Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete: Nate Olson of UW-La Crosse
Coach of the Year: Mark Guthrie of UW-La Crosse

Final Men's Team Scores
1. UW-La Crosse 191
2. UW-Whitewater 152
3. UW-Oshkosh 123.50
4. UW-Stevens Point 78.50
5. UW-Platteville 52.50
6. UW-Eau Claire 35
7. UW-Stout 32
8. UW-River Falls 29.50
9. UW-Superior 8

Women
55-Meter Dash: Jena Durnin (UW-La Crosse), 7.20
200-Meter Dash: Nadine Pieske (UW-Oshkosh), 25.61
400-Meter Dash: Amanda Donath (UW-Oshkosh), 57.36*
800-Meter Run: Marcia Taddy (UW-Platteville), 2:14.28
One-Mile Run: Marcia Taddy (UW-Platteville), 4:58.02
3,000-Meter Run: Julia Rudd (UW-La Crosse), 10:00.49
55-Meter Hurdles: Liz Faller (UW-Eau Claire), 8.36
Triple Jump: Lyndsay Thoma (UW-Oshkosh), 37-6 3/4 (11.45 m)
Pole Vault: Stephanie Barnes (UW-Eau Claire), 12-8 (3.86 m)*
20-Pound Weight Throw: Robyn Jarocki (UW-Oshkosh), 67-4 (20.52 m)*
Pentathlon: Jill Crandall (UW-River Falls), 3,375 points

4 x 200-Meter Relay: UW-La Crosse, 1:44.20
4 x 400-Meter Relay: UW-La Crosse, 3:59.03

Track Performer of the Meet: Julia Rudd of UW-La Crosse
Field Performer of the Meet: Robyn Jarocki of UW-Oshkosh
Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete: Megan Kielar of UW-Whitewater
Coach of the Year: Deb Vercauteren of UW-Oshkosh

Final Women's Team Scores
1. UW-Oshkosh 179.50
2. UW-La Crosse 166.50
3. UW-Eau Claire 113
4. UW-Platteville 77.50
5. UW-River Falls 64
6. UW-Stevens Point 60.50
7 (tied). UW-Stout 16
7 (tied). UW-Whitewater 16
9. UW-Superior 8

Stevens Point, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse leads the 2006 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Men's and Women's Indoor Track and Field Championships following the first of two days of competition at UW-Stevens Point's Multi-Activity Center.

The Eagles have compiled 67 team points in the men's championship. UW-Oshkosh is second (40), followed by UW-Whitewater (38), UW-Platteville (18), UW-River Falls (16), UW-Eau Claire and UW-Stevens Point (6), UW-Stout (4) and UW-Superior (0).

UW-La Crosse leads the women's meet with 56.50 team points, followed by UW-Eau Claire (35), UW-Oshkosh (34.50), UW-River Falls (22), UW-Stevens Point (19.50), UW-Platteville (15.50), UW-Stout (10), UW-Whitewater (2) and UW-Superior (0).

UW-La Crosse has captured the last four men's titles and six consecutive women's crowns.

UW-La Crosse's Nick Pergande won the pole vault championship with a NCAA automatic qualifying and fieldhouse record height of 17-0 3/4.

UW-Oshkosh had Nick Boehlke and Brandon Houle secure individual titles during the first day of competition. Boehlke was the top finisher in the 5,000-meter run with a NCAA provisional qualifying time of 14:45.24, while Houle was victorious in the 35-pound weight throw with a fieldhouse record toss of 63-3 1/4. Houle's toss was a NCAA automatic qualifying performance.

UW-Whitewater's Derek Stanley captured the long jump title for the second time in his career with a NCAA provisional qualifying leap of 23-6 1/4. He also won the crown during the 2004 championship.

UW-River Falls won the first relay crown in school history after capturing the distance medley relay with a NCAA provisional qualifying time of 10:12.61.

UW-La Crosse's Julia Rudd and Alyssa Leonard claimed individual championships in the women's competition. Rudd secured the 5,000-meter run crown for the second time in her career with a conference meet record time of 17:05.81. Her time automatically qualified her for the NCAA Division III Championships. Rudd also finished first in the event at the 2003 meet.

The Eagles also won the distance medley relay title with a NCAA provisional and fieldhouse record time of 12:04.80.

UW-Eau Claire's Erin Kokta claimed the long jump championship with a fieldhouse record distance of 18-9 1/4. Her distance also was a NCAA automatic qualifying mark.

UW-Oshkosh's Robyn Jarocki won the shot put title for the second straight year with a conference meet and fieldhouse record heave of 51-1 3/4. Her performance also surpassed the a NCAA automatic qualifying standard.

Day One Champions
Men
5,000-Meter Run: Nick Boehlke (UW-Oshkosh), 14:45.24
Long Jump: Derek Stanley (UW-Whitewater), 23-6 1/4 (7.17 m)
Pole Vault: Nick Pergande (UW-La Crosse), 17-0 3/4 (5.20 m)
35-Pound Weight Throw: Brandon Houle (UW-Oshkosh), 63-3 1/4 (19.28 m)

Women
5,000-Meter Run: Julia Rudd (UW-La Crosse), 17:05.81*
Long Jump: Erin Kokta (UW-Eau Claire), 18-9 1/4 (5.72 m)
Shot Put: Robyn Jarocki (UW-Oshkosh), 51-1 3/4 (15.59 m)*
High Jump: Alyssa Leonard (UW-La Crosse), 5-3 3/4 (1.62 m)

Whitewater, Wis.--David Wiederrecht has been named head women's track and field coach at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, effective immediately.

Wiederrecht comes to UW-Whitewater from positions in Pennsylvania and Maryland. He was an associate professor of health and physical education at Cecil Community College in North East, Maryland since 2000, and prior to that taught in a junior high school. His coaching background includes serving as a volunteer assistant at Messiah College in Grantham, Pennsylvania for the 2005 season, serving in the same capacity for the University of Deleware in 2004, and serving as the assistant women's and men's track and field coach at Messiah College 2001-2003. He also coached on the junior high and high school level for nine years. He has been a guest clinician at the UW-Whitewater summer track and field camp the last three years.

"We couldn't be more excited to have Dave join our staff as the head women's track and field coach," UW-Whitewater director of athletics Dr. Paul Plinske said. "Not only does he bring a wealth of Division III track and field coaching experience to our institution, but his knowledge in the areas of sprints, relays and hurdles is excellent and his ability to convey his vision for our program is superb."

Wiederrecht graduated from Messiah College with a degree in health and physical education in May 1991. While at Messiah he captained the track and field team, won several conference championships, and earned National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III All-American honors. He received a master of science in exercise science and physical education from Western Maryland College in May 2000.

Wiederrecht's professional memberships include the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (since 1990), and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (since 2001).

Wiederrecht takes over for Darren Schneider, who coached the women's team the last two years. Schneider will continue to divide his responsibilities between head coach of the men's track and field team, and serving as an instructor in the department of health, physical education, recreation and coaching. Wiederrecht will also hold an instructional appointment in HPERC.

Peterson Tabbed To Direct UW-Stevens Point Women's Cross Country and Track and Field Programs

RELEASED: Tuesday, August 2, 2005

Stevens Point, Wis.--Christina Peterson has been selected as the head coach for the UW-Stevens Point women’s cross country and track and field teams, which have experienced their most successful seasons in school history in recent years.

Peterson, who competed collegiately at Iowa State and most recently, was a graduate assistant coach at Division II Northwest Missouri State, replaces Len Hill who retired after 21 seasons with the Pointers. UW-Stevens Point has won back-to-back Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships in cross country and placed in the top six at nationals each year. The Pointers have also placed in the top 10 at the past two NCAA Division III women’s indoor track championships.

A Midland, Mich. native, Peterson earned a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management from Iowa State in 2003 and worked one season as a volunteer assistant coach with the Cyclones’ women’s track and field team. She spent the past two seasons as a graduate assistant track and field coach at Northwest Missouri State while earning a Master’s Degree in Education. She will also teach classes in UW-Stevens Point’s Department of Health Exercise, Science and Athletics.

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