2006 WIAC Women's Outdoor Track & Field Headlines

Oshkosh, Wis.--With head coach Deb Vercauteren and the multiple national titles of Stephanie Bostwick, Laura Horejs, Robyn Jarocki, Lisa Melendez and Liz Woodworth leading the way, UW-Oshkosh has counted seven first and four second-place finishes at NCAA Division III women's outdoor track and field championships held from 1982 to 2006.

As a result, the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) has recognized UW-Oshkosh for owning the outstanding NCAA Division III women's outdoor track and field program of the past 25 years. The award is given in conjunction with the NCAA's 25-year celebration of sponsoring women's sports.

Since the 1981-82 school year, UW-Oshkosh's women's track and field program has been led by Vercauteren. Today, the UW-Oshkosh program is the best in the NCAA Division III, and Vercauteren is recognized by her peers as being one of the top head coaches in the business.

Outdoors, UW-Oshkosh's resume is highlighted by NCAA Division III titles won in 1990, 1991, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2004 and 2006. The Titans also finished second at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Championship in 1989, 1992, 1994 and 2005 and third in 1988, 1993 and 1998.

UW-Oshkosh athletes have earned 171 All-America awards at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Championship during the past 25 years. The Titans' All-America performances are led by 23 individual national titles, including five by Robyn Jarocki, four by Liz Woodworth, three by Stephanie Bostwick and two by both Horejs and Melendez.

Competing for bragging rights at the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Outdoor Championship, UW-Oshkosh has compiled 10 first and 10 second-place finishes. The Titans captured WIAC championships in 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2004 and 2006. Since 1982, UW-Oshkosh athletes won 148 events while competing at the WIAC Outdoor Championship.

Oshkosh, Wis.--UW-Oshkosh's Deb Vercauteren is among 12 accomplished cross country and track and field coaches who will be inducted into the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association's (USTFCCCA) Hall of Fame later this year.

The Class of 2006 features coaches who won National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men's and women's team titles at all three divisional levels in cross country, indoor track and field and outdoor track and field. The distinguished group will be inducted Dec. 12 during the USTFCCCA's annual convention in San Antonio.

"This year's Hall of Fame class personifies the values of collegiate track and field and cross country," said Sam Seemes, CEO of the USTFCCCA. "The mark they've left on their sports is immeasurable. Our association is honored to induct such a group of individuals into the Hall of Fame."

Besides Vercauteren, the Class of 2006 consists of Bill Bergan of Iowa State University, Al Carius of North Central College (Ill.), John Coughlan of Illinois State University, DeLoss Dodds of Kansas State University, Bob Groseclose of the University of Louisiana at Monroe, Tom Heinonen of the University of Oregon, Don Hood, Sr. of Abilene Christian University (Texas), Ted McLaughlin of Southern Methodist University (Texas), Bill Moultrie of Howard University (Washington, D.C.), Jack Pyrah of Villanova University (Pa.) and Gary Wieneke of the University of Illinois.

UW-Oshkosh's trophy case has been lavishly decorated during Vercauteren's 25 seasons as the school's head women's cross country and women's track and field coach. The shrine includes trophies for winning 17 NCAA Division III titles and 36 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) championships.

In outdoor track and field, Vercauteren's resume is highlighted by NCAA Division III titles won in 1990, 1991, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2004 and 2006. The Titans also finished second at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Championship in 1989, 1992, 1994 and 2005 and third in 1988, 1993 and 1998.

Competing for bragging rights at the WIAC Outdoor Championship, Vercauteren has directed UW-Oshkosh to 10 first-place and 10 second-place finishes. The Titans captured WIAC championships in 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2004 and 2006.

Vercauteren gained Outdoor Track and Field Coach of the Year honors by the NCAA Division III in 2004 and by the WIAC in 1988, 1989, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2004 and 2006.

In 2006, the USTFCCCA recognized UW-Oshkosh for owning the outstanding NCAA Division III women's outdoor track and field program of the past 25 years.

Indoors, Vercauteren's accomplishments are equally impressive. UW-Oshkosh's efforts are led by NCAA Division III titles won in 1994, 1995, 1996, 2004, 2005 and 2006. The Titans also placed second at the NCAA Division III Indoor Championship in 1990, 1991, 1992 and 2002 and third in 1997.

Since the first NCAA Division III Indoor Championship was held in 1985, All-America awards have been presented 117 times to UW-Oshkosh athletes. The Titans' All-America performances are led by 21 individual national titles, including five by Jarocki and three by both Woodworth and Melissa Oleson.

At the WIAC Indoor Championship, Vercauteren has coached UW-Oshkosh to 11 first-place and nine second-place finishes. The Titans claimed WIAC titles in 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2006.

Vercauteren received Indoor Track and Field Coach of the Year accolades by the NCAA Division III in 2006 and by the WIAC in 1988, 1989, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999 and 2006.

Besides coaching track and field, Vercauteren has served as the head women's cross country coach at UW-Oshkosh since 1981. She began the sport at UW-Oshkosh from infancy that season and took the Titans to a seventh-place finish at the NCAA Division III Championship the following year.

UW-Oshkosh has claimed four NCAA Division III cross country titles under Vercauteren's tutelage, with victories coming in 1987, 1988, 1991 and 1996. The Titans also placed second at the national meet in 1989, 1990 and 1995. Additionally, Vercauteren has trained UW-Oshkosh cross country athletes to 37 NCAA Division III All-America performances, including national titles won by Laura Horejs in 1991 and Tiffany Speckman in 1997.

Since 1986, Vercauteren's Titans have been a perennial WIAC power. UW-Oshkosh has won the WIAC championship 15 times during the past 20 years while finishing second on three other occasions. The Titans were crowned WIAC champion in 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000.

The NCAA Division III selected Vercauteren as its Cross Country Coach of the Year in 1995 and 1996. She was named WIAC Cross Country Coach of the Year in 1983, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1999.

Last fall, the USTFCCCA picked Vercauteren as its NCAA Division III Women's Cross Country Silver Anniversary Coach. The award was given in conjunction with the NCAA's 25-year celebration of sponsoring women's sports.

Vercauteren, an Ashwaubenon, Wis., native, received a bachelor's degree from UW-Stevens Point in 1976 and a master's degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1980. The UW-Stevens Point and National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics District 14 Hall of Fame member is married to John Zupanc, the head men's cross country coach and head men's track and field coach at UW-Oshkosh.

In addition to her coaching duties, Vercauteren also serves as the assistant director of athletics at UW-Oshkosh.

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh national champions Laura Horejs, Robyn Jarocki and Liz Woodworth have been named to the NCAA Division III Women's Outdoor Track and Field Silver Anniversary Team.

Selected by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), the 27-member squad commemorates the 25th anniversary of the NCAA Division III Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championships. One outstanding individual from each event and two relay squads were voted to the squad by a panel of USTFCCCA coaches.

Horejs was picked to the Silver Anniversary Team for her work in the 1,500-meter run, while Jarocki was chosen for her labor in the shot put and Woodworth for her exertion in the 800-meter run.

Horejs participated for UW-Oshkosh from 1989 to 1992. The Oshkosh native won 1,500-meter run titles at the 1991 and 1992 NCAA Division III outdoor championships after placing second in the event in 1990. Last May, Horejs was one of six individuals inducted into the USTFCCCA's NCAA Division III Track and Field Hall of Fame.

Competing for UW-Oshkosh from 2003-06, Jarocki captured shot put titles at the 2005 and 2006 NCAA Division III outdoor championships after finishing eighth in the event in 2003 and fourth in 2004. She also won NCAA Division III outdoor titles in the discus in 2005 and 2006 and the hammer throw in 2004. The Merrill native was voted the Outstanding Field Performer at the 2004, 2005 and 2006 NCAA Division III outdoor championships. Jarocki owns the NCAA Division III outdoor record in the shot put with a distance of 55-0 1/4.

Woodworth performed for UW-Oshkosh from 2001-04. The Marinette native claimed 800-meter run titles at the 2002, 2003 and 2004 NCAA Division III outdoor championships after finishing ranking third in the event in 2001. Woodworth, who was named the Outstanding Track Performer at the 2004 NCAA Division III outdoor championship, holds NCAA Division III outdoor records in the 800-meter run (2:05.05) and 1,500-meter run (4:15.20).

UW-La Crosse's Rudd Nominated for NCAA Woman of the Year Award

RELEASED: Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's Julia Rudd has been nominated as the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) representative for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award. This award honors senior student-athletes for their cumulative collegiate achievements in service, leadership, athletics and academics.

Rudd, a senior cross country and indoor/outdoor track and field student-athlete from Oshkosh, Wis. (West H.S.), was named to the 2006 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America College Division Women's Track and Field/Cross Country Third Team and received the WIAC Judy Kruckman Outdoor Track and Field Scholar-Athlete Award. She has also been recognized on the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll, UW-La Crosse's Dean's List and the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Academic Team.

As a six-time outdoor track and field All-American, Rudd captured a national championship in the 3,000-meter steeplechase during the 2004 national meet. Additionally, she finished third in the event in 2002, 2005 and 2006, while adding fifth and sixth-place finishes in the 5,000-meter run in 2004 and 2006, respectively. Rudd secured the WIAC 3,000-meter steeplechase crown in 2004, 2005 and 2006 and added a 5,000-meter run title in 2004.

Competing at the indoor track and field national meet, Rudd received All-America accolades in the 5,000-meter run with a fifth-place standing in 2006 and eighth-place finish in 2004. She claimed conference titles in the 3,000-meter run in 2004 and 2006 and added 5,000-meter run crowns in 2003 and 2006.

Rudd is a three-time cross country All-American, finishing second in 2005, 23rd in 2002 and 26th in 2003. She won the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional in 2005 and secured the WIAC individual title in 2002 and 2005.

Serving as a team captain for the cross country and track and field squads, she has earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.62 while majoring in sports management with an emphasis in coaching competitive athletics.

Among her numerous athletic and academic accomplishments, Rudd has also been involved with the UW-La Crosse Athletics Department, worked as a counselor at UW-Madison's Camp of Champions and served as a member of Athletes in Action for UW-La Crosse.

All conference nominees will be forwarded to the Woman of the Year selection committee. The selection committee will select the top 10 winners in each division. From among those 30 honorees, the selection committee will determine the top three in each division. Finally, the members of the CWA will vote from among the top nine to determine the 2006 NCAA Woman of the Year.

The top 10 honorees from Divisions I, II and III will be honored, and the 2006 NCAA Woman of the Year announced, at a dinner in Indianapolis, Ind. on October 28, 2006.

To be eligible for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award:
**nominee must have earned a varsity letter in a NCAA-sponsored sport and competed during the 2005-06 academic year

**nominee must have completed intercollegiate eligibility in her primary sport by the end of the 2006 spring season or received her undergraduate degree prior to the conclusion of the spring 2006 term

**nominee must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.500 (4.000 scale).

Also nominated for the award from the WIAC were:
Robyn Jarocki, UW-Oshkosh, Senior, Indoor/Outdoor Track and Field, Merrill, Wis.
Carrie Morschauser, UW-Platteville, Senior, Volleyball, Indoor/Outdoor Track and Field, Deerfield, Wis.
Jenna Mitchler, UW-Stevens Point, Senior, Cross Country, Indoor/Outdoor Track and Field, Kaukauna, Wis.
Megan Kielar, UW-Whitewater, Senior, Cross Country, Indoor/Outdoor Track and Field, McHenry, Ill. (West H.S.)

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Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh's Robyn Jarocki has been selected as the 2006 NCAA Division III Women's Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

Jarocki earned the national award after winning two events and finishing second in another at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Her performances helped UW-Oshkosh capture the team title.

Jarocki scored 28 of UW-Oshkosh's 52 points at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships by winning the discus with a cast of 158-2 and the shot put with a meet-record toss of 55-0 1/4. She finished second in the hammer throw with a fling of 176-6. Jarocki was the defending champion in both the discus and the shot put and the 2004 champion in the hammer throw.

At the WIAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Jarocki was elected the meet's Outstanding Field Performer after winning three events and placing fifth in another. She won the discus with a hurl of 167-4, the hammer throw with a meet-record heave of 186-5 and the shot put with a meet-record toss of 50-8. She finished fifth in the javelin with a pitch of 108-5. Her efforts helped the Titans claim the team title.

Last March, Jarocki was named the USTFCCCA's NCAA Division III Indoor Field Athlete of the Year.

Outdoors, Jarocki is a five-time NCAA Division III champion and 10-time NCAA Division III All-American. Indoors, Jarocki is a five-time NCAA Division III champion and seven-time NCAA Division III All-American.

Prior to receiving her national prize, Jarocki was named the 2006 NCAA Division III Midwest Region Women's Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year.

UW-Oshkosh Named Valedictorian of All-Academic Team; UW-Eau Claire and UW-La Crosse also Honored

Madison, Wis.--The United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) has named UW-Oshkosh valedictorian of its 2006 NCAA Division III Women's Outdoor Track and Field All-Academic Team, while UW-Eau Claire and UW-La Crosse also were recognized for their athletic and academic accomplishments.

UW-Oshkosh earned the top award after capturing the team title at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championship held May 25-27 in Lisle, Ill., and having its student-athletes compile a 3.22 cumulative grade point average during the spring semester.

UW-Eau Claire, UW-La Crosse and UW-Oshkosh were three of 51 NCAA Division III schools honored by the USTFCCCA.

Individually, UW-La Crosse had a national-best 10 student-athletes on the USTFCCCA's 2006 NCAA Division III Women's Outdoor Track and Field All-Academic Team. The 10 representatives on the 177-member squad included Jena Durnin, Meagan Herlache, Kristen Painter, Caitlin Perra, Julia Rudd, Kelly Runkle, Katie Steingraeber, Sarah Thayer, Kathryn Wagner and Brooke Whitcher.

UW-Oshkosh student-athletes selected to the team were Jenny Graef, Brigid Hamill, Mandy Kozicki, Rebecca Masephol, Nicole Pelischek, Danielle Rankin, Sarah Schettle, Emily Schulz and Stephanie Sisk.

Individuals representing UW-Eau Claire included Stephanie Barnes, Elizabeth Faller, Shalene Huth, Elizabeth Kooistra and Brooke Schmidt.

To qualify for the USTFCCCA's Women's Outdoor Track and Field All-Academic Team, student-athletes needed to surpass a 3.25 cumulative grade point average and eclipse a qualifying event standard for the 2006 NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships.

Madison, Wis.--Two former Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) student-athletes were among six individuals inducted into the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association's (USTFCCCA) NCAA Division III Track and Field Hall of Fame on May 24 in Lisle, Ill.

UW-La Crosse's David Coates and UW-Oshkosh's Laura (Horejs) Lambert joined a 2006 induction class that also included former athletes Ngozi (Mwanamwambwa) Asinga of Principia College (Ill.), Mike Manders of Hamline University (Minn.) and Keith Rucker of Ohio Wesleyan University and current men's head coach Al Carius of North Central College (Ill.).

Coates is a 1996 UW-La Crosse graduate who claimed four individual national titles and 17 All-America honors. He won the 200-meter dash during the 1991 and 1994 outdoor national meets and the 400-meter dash at the 1994 indoor and outdoor championships. His team also won the 4x400-meter relay outdoor title in 1992. In 1994, he anchored the North team at the U.S. Olympic Festival.

Coates helped the Eagles to NCAA Division III indoor titles in 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1994 and outdoor championships in 1991, 1992 and 1993. UW-La Crosse also claimed the WIAC indoor and outdoor championship in 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1994.

Coates secured 11 individual WIAC titles and was a member of 10 conference champion relay teams during his time with the Eagles. He captured the indoor and outdoor 200-meter dash title in 1992, 1993 and 1994 and added indoor titles in the 55-meter dash in 1992 and the 400-meter dash in 1994.

Competing in the league outdoor championship, Coates claimed the 100-meter dash crown in 1992 and the 400-meter dash title in 1993 and 1994.

He was a member of the outdoor 4x100-meter relay and 4x400-meter relay squads in 1991, 1992 and 1993, while adding indoor titles in the 4x400-meter relay in 1991, 1993 and 1994 and the 4x200-meter relay in 1993.

Lambert is the second UW-Oshkosh athlete to be inducted into the USTFCCCA's NCAA Division III Track and Field Hall of Fame, with the other being 2004 inductee Melissa Mueller.

Lambert competed in women's indoor and outdoor track and field at UW-Oshkosh from 1989 to 1992. During that time she helped the Titans to NCAA Division III outdoor titles in 1990 and 1991. She also played a key role in helping UW-Oshkosh capture four indoor (1989-92) and three outdoor (1989-91) WIAC championships.

Individually, Lambert's track and field resume contains three national titles, six All-America performances and 14 conference championships. Her listings are led by victories in the 1,500-meter run at the 1991 and 1992 NCAA Division III outdoor and the 1992 NCAA Division III indoor championships. Lambert earned All-America awards in the 1,500-meter run during the 1990, 1991 and 1992 indoor and outdoor seasons.

Performing at the WIAC Indoor Track and Field Championships, Lambert ran to titles in the 1,000-yard run in 1989, 1,000-meter run in 1990, 1991 and 1992, 1,500-meter run in 1991 and 1992, 3,000-meter run in 1991 and 1992 and the distance medley relay in 1990. At the WIAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Lambert finished first in the 800-meter run in 1989, 1,500-meter run in 1991 and 1992 and the 3,000-meter run in 1991 and 1992.

Lambert is currently the owner of three UW-Oshkosh track and field records, the indoor 1,000-meter run (2:58.44), the indoor 5,000-meter run (16:53.40) and the outdoor 3,000-meter run (9:35.78).

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.

Lisle, Ill.--University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh won the 2006 NCAA Division III women's outdoor track and field national championship on Saturday, May 27, following completion of the national meet, which was held May 25-27 at Benedictine University (Ill.).

The national title for the Titans is the seventh in school history (1990, 1991, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2004, 2006) and marks the 14th top-three finish for the program since 1988. UW-Oshkosh finished the 2006 track and field season unbeaten, capturing the NCAA Division III indoor national title and both the indoor and outdoor WIAC crowns.

UW-Oshkosh claimed the outdoor national championship with 52 team points. Williams College (Mass.) finished second with 42 points, followed by Oneonta State (N.Y) and City College of New York both with 41 points and Calvin College (Mich.) with 40 points.

UW-La Crosse placed eighth with 23 points, UW-Eau Claire finished 10th with 21 points and UW-Platteville tied for 55th with three points, while UW-River Falls and UW-Stevens Point tied for 70th with one point.

UW-Oshkosh's Robyn Jarocki claimed national titles in the shot put and discus for the second consecutive year with marks of 55-0 1/4 and 158-2, respectively. Her performance in the shot put established NCAA Championship and school records.

WIAC All-Americans (Top eight finish in each event):
100-Meter Dash: Jena Durnin (UW-La Crosse-6th)
200-Meter Dash: Nadine Pieske (UW-Oshkosh-8th)
400-Meter Dash: Nadine Pieske (UW-Oshkosh-2nd), Liz Kooistra (UW-Eau Claire-8th)
800-Meter Run: Jenna Mitchler (UW-Stevens Point-8th)
1,500-Meter Run: Marcia Taddy (UW-Platteville-6th), Kristen Painter (UW-La Crosse-8th)
5,000-Meter Run: Julia Rudd (UW-La Crosse-6th)
100-Meter Hurdles: Liz Faller (UW-Eau Claire-4th)
400-Meter Hurdles: Shannon Zweifel (UW-River Falls-8th)
3,000-Meter Steeplechase: Julia Rudd (UW-La Crosse-3rd)
Long Jump: Erin Kokta (UW-Eau Claire-3rd), Sarah Thayer (UW-La Crosse-8th)
Triple Jump: Sarah Thayer (UW-La Crosse-4th)
Shot Put: Robyn Jarocki (UW-Oshkosh-Champion), Danielle Rankin (UW-Oshkosh-6th)
Discus: Robyn Jarocki (UW-Oshkosh-Champion), Paula Crossfield (UW-Eau Claire-5th)
Hammer Throw: Robyn Jarocki (UW-Oshkosh-2nd), Danielle Rankin (UW-Oshkosh-3rd), Rebecca Masephol (UW-Oshkosh-5th)
Pole Vault: Stephanie Barnes (UW-Eau Claire-4th)

4x100-Meter Relay: UW-La Crosse (Talia Williams, Collette Francis, Kelly Runkle, Jena Durnin-5th)
4x400-Meter Relay: UW-Oshkosh (Amanda Donath, Stephanie Sisk, Mandy Kozicki, Nadine Pieske-7th)

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UW-La Crosse's Rudd Receives Women's Outdoor Track and Field Scholar-Athlete Award

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's Julia Rudd has received the 2006 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Judy Kruckman Women's Outdoor Track and Field Scholar-Athlete Award.

Rudd, a senior from Oshkosh, Wis. (West H.S.), is majoring in sport management with a concentration in coaching and carries a 3.57 grade point average. She has been named to the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and been recognized on UW-La Crosse's Dean's List and Honor Roll on numerous occasions.

Rudd, a team captain this season, claimed the 3,000-meter steeplechase title for the third straight year at the WIAC championships. She also won the 5,000-meter run at the 2004 championship. Rudd secured the national title in the 3,000-meter steeplechase in 2004 with a NCAA Division III meet record time of 10:26.56. She finished third in the event in 2005 and 2002, while placing fifth in the 5,000-meter run in 2004. Rudd was named the team's MVP in 2005 and 2004 and holds the school record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.

Rudd is a member of Athlete's in Action and becomes the eighth UW-La Crosse women's outdoor track and field student-athlete to win the conference award, joining Shelli Gotto (2005), Angela Klatt (2004), Jenny Fiedler (2000), Patti Franckowiak (1999), Lace Van Zeeland (1998), Jennifer Leisen (1995) and Karen Fedors (1987).

Also nominated for this year's scholar-athlete award were: UW-Eau Claire's Jane-Marie Ovanin and Brooke Schmidt, UW-La Crosse's Kristina Meissen, Ariel Perkins, Courtney Poziombke, Kelly Runkle and Brooke Whitcher, UW-Oshkosh's Heather Prochnow, Danielle Rankin and Megan Slempkes, UW-Platteville's Stephanie Martin and Carrie Morschauser, UW-River Falls' Sara Rudesill, UW-Stevens Point's Megan Craig, Amy Frey, Jenna Mitchler and Teresa Stanley, UW-Stout's Camille Meyer, UW-Superior's Molly Ray and UW-Whitewater's Megan Kielar.

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.

Oshkosh, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's men's team and UW-Oshkosh's women's team won the 2006 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Outdoor Track and Field Championships, which were held at the Oshkosh Sports Complex on May 5-6.

UW-La Crosse claimed its 16th straight men's title, and 31st in the last 33 years, with 247 team points, followed by UW-Whitewater (194.50), UW-Oshkosh (98), UW-Platteville (94.50), UW-Stevens Point (75), UW-Eau Claire (56), UW-Stout (47), UW-River Falls (32) and UW-Superior (13). The Eagles have now won a league-best 42 conference championships.

UW-Oshkosh's women's championship is the 10th in school history and first since 2004. The Titans compiled 231 team points, followed by defending champion UW-La Crosse (195), UW-Eau Claire (118), UW-Platteville (81), UW-River Falls (78), UW-Stevens Point (70), UW-Whitewater (46), UW-Stout (30) and UW-Superior (9).

UW-La Crosse's men's team won five individual titles during the second day of the championship, including two by Marcus Walgrave and Nate Olson. Walgrave was voted the Track Performer of the Meet after winning the 110-meter hurdles for the second time in as many years with a conference record performance of 14.27. He also claimed the 100-meter dash for the second consecutive season with a time of 10.57.

Olson won the 200-meter dash and 400-meter dash titles for the second straight year with times of 21.52 and 46.88, respectively.

Nolan Hietpas captured the 400-meter hurdles for the second straight season with a time of 52.70.

UW-La Crosse also won the 1,600-meter relay for the seven consecutive season with a time of 3:14.62. Members of the winning team included Jonathan Doble, Gregg Farrell, Dylan Randolph and Eric Svestka.

UW-Whitewater's Pete Ringquist was voted the Field Performer of the Meet after securing the discus for the second straight year with a conference record toss of 181-1.

The Warhawks' Mike Paddock was victorious in the triple jump with a leap of 47-6 1/2, while Alex Thompson was the top finisher in the shot put with a heave of 56-1 1/4 and Adam Lendowski claimed the decathlon with 6,621 points.

UW-Whitewater's Cameron Austin, Jonathan Otte, Mike Sampson and Rodney Swanson teamed to win the 4x100-meter relay with a time of 41.81.

UW-Oshkosh's Nick Boehlke won his second title in as many days after topping the field in the 5,000-meter run with a time of 14:39.87. It marked the second consecutive season he has won the event. He won the 10,000-meter run title during Friday's competition.

UW-Platteville's Tyler Sigl claimed the 1,500-meter run for the second time in as many years with a time of 3:56.58, while UW-Stevens Point's Mitch Ellis won the triple jump with a leap of 6-5.

UW-Superior's Matt Kramer claimed the 800-meter run with a time of 1:53.50 to give the Yellowjackets their first individual conference title since 1989 when Dan Kelner won the 100-meter dash and 200-meter dash.

UW-La Crosse head coach Mark Guthrie was voted the Coach of the Year for the eighth consecutive year.

UW-Oshkosh's women's squad secured four individual titles during the second day of competition. Robyn Jarocki was voted the Field Performer of the Meet for the second time in her career after winning the shot put and discus for the third straight year to go along with her hammer throw title in the first day of the meet. She won the shot put with a conference record heave of 50-8 and the discus with a toss of 167-4. Jarocki also won the award in 2004.

The Titans' Nadine Pieske was the top finisher in the 200-meter dash for the second consecutive season with a time of 24.68. She also claimed the 400-meter dash with a conference record performance of 55.45.

UW-Oshkosh's Amanda Donath, Mandy Kozicki, Stephanie Sisk and Pieske teamed to win the 4x400-meter relay with a time of 3:52.48.

UW-Platteville's Marcia Taddy was voted the Track Performer of the Meet for the second straight year after winning the 800-meter run and 1,500-meter run titles for the second time in as many seasons. She captured the 800-meter run with a time of 2:15.66 and the 1,500-meter run with a conference record performance of 4:29.77.

The Pioneers' Jackie Mulrooney secured the 5,000-meter run for the second consecutive year with a time of 17:07.27, while Carrie Morschauser was victorious in the high jump with a leap of 5-7.

UW-La Crosse's Jena Durnin claimed the 100-meter dash with a time of 12.25, while Sarah Thayer won the triple jump with a leap of 39-2 1/4 and Katie Wagner was the top finisher in the heptathlon with 4,344 points.

The Eagles' Collette Francis, Kelly Runkle, Talia Williams and Durnin teamed to win the 4x100-meter relay with a time of 47.77.

UW-Eau Claire's Liz Faller claimed the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 14.68, while UW-River Falls' Shannon Zweifel won the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1:02.39.

UW-Oshkosh head coach Deb Vercauteren was voted the Coach of the Year for second time in her career. She also won the award in 2004.

Day Two Champions
Men
100-meter dash: Marcus Walgrave (UW-La Crosse), 10.57
200-meter dash: Nate Olson (UW-La Crosse), 21.29
400-meter dash: Nate Olson (UW-La Crosse), 46.88
800-meter run: Matt Kramer (UW-Superior), 1:53.50
1,500-meter run: Tyler Sigl (UW-Platteville), 3:56.58
5,000-meter run: Nick Boehlke (UW-Oshkosh), 14:39.87
110-meter hurdles: Marcus Walgrave (UW-La Crosse), 14.27*
400-meter hurdles: Nolan Hietpas (UW-La Crosse), 52.70
High Jump: Mitch Ellis (UW-Stevens Point), 6-5 (1.96m)
Triple Jump: Mike Paddock (UW-Whitewater), 47-6 1/2 (14.49m)
Shot Put: Alex Thompson (UW-Whitewater), 56-1 1/4 (17.10m)
Discus: Pete Ringquist (UW-Whitewater), 181-1 (55.20m)*
Decathlon: Adam Lendowski (UW-Whitewater), 6,621 points
4x100-meter relay: UW-Whitewater (Cameron Austin, Jonathan Otte, Mike Sampson, Rodney Swanson), 41.81
4x400-meter relay: UW-La Crosse (Jonathan Doble, Gregg Farrell, Dylan Randolph, Eric Svestka), 3:14.62

Track Performer of the Meet: Marcus Walgrave of UW-La Crosse
Field Performer of the Meet: Pete Ringquist of UW-Whitewater
Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete: Pete Ringquist of UW-Whitewater
Coach of the Year: Mark Guthrie of UW-La Crosse

Women
100-meter dash: Jena Durnin (UW-La Crosse), 12.25
200-meter dash: Nadine Pieske (UW-Oshkosh), 24.68
400-meter dash: Nadine Pieske (UW-Oshkosh), 55.45*
800-meter run: Marcia Taddy (UW-Platteville), 2:15.66
1,500-meter run: Marcia Taddy (UW-Platteville), 4:29.77*
5,000-meter run: Jackie Mulrooney (UW-Platteville), 17:07.27
110-meter hurdles: Liz Faller (UW-Eau Claire), 14.68
400-meter hurdles: Shannon Zweifel (UW-River Falls), 1:02.39
High Jump: Carrie Morschauser (UW-Platteville), 5-7 (1.70m)
Triple Jump: Sarah Thayer (UW-La Crosse), 39-2 1/4 (11.94m)
Shot Put: Robyn Jarocki (UW-Oshkosh), 50-8 (15.44m)*
Discus: Robyn Jarcoki (UW-Oshkosh), 167-4 (51.01m)
Heptathlon: Katie Wagner (UW-La Crosse), 4,344 points
4x100-meter relay: UW-La Crosse (Jena Durnin, Collette Francis, Kelly Runkle, Talia Williams), 47.77
4x400-meter relay: UW-Oshkosh (Amanda Donath, Nadine Pieske, Mandy Kozicki, Stephanie Sisk), 3:52.48

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

UW-La Crosse Men, UW-Oshkosh Women Lead Outdoor Track and Field Championships

Oshkosh, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and UW-Oshkosh lead the 2006 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Men's and Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championships following the first of two days of competition at the Oshkosh Sports Complex.

UW-La Crosse tops the men's meet with 91 team points, followed by UW-Whitewater (41), UW-Oshkosh (39), UW-Platteville (36), UW-Eau Claire (22), UW-Stevens Point (16), UW-River Falls (14), UW-Stout (11) and UW-Superior (3). The Eagles have won 15 consecutive conference titles.

UW-Oshkosh leads the women's competition with 61.50 team points, followed by defending champion UW-La Crosse (52.50), UW-Eau Claire (51), UW-Whitewater (28), UW-River Falls (25), UW-Stevens Point (22), UW-Platteville (16), UW-Stout (11) and UW-Superior (6). The Titans have compiled nine WIAC championships, including a title in 2004.

UW-La Crosse had a pair of individuals claim league crowns in the men's meet. Kevin Becker won the hammer throw with a toss of 195-11 and Mike Herlihy secured the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 9:09.88.

UW-Oshkosh also had two participants capture first-place status. Nick Boehlke became the first individual in conference history to win the 10,000-meter run in back-to-back seasons with a time of 31:09.15. The Titans' Zach Johnson secured the pole vault with a height of 16-6 3/4.

UW-Platteville's Tim Jankowski claimed the javelin with a toss of 185-5, while UW-Whitewater's Derek Stanley was the top finisher in the long jump with a leap of 24-1 1/2.

UW-Eau Claire's Ben Brossard, Wes Fischer, Joey Veriga and Adam Wolfe teamed to win the 4x800-meter relay with a time of 7:44.45. It marked the first WIAC title for the Blugolds in the event.

UW-Oshkosh's Robyn Jarocki became the first individual in league history to win three straight hammer throw titles with a conference record fling of 186-5. The Titans' Kelly Rehn secured the pole vault with a height of 12-2 3/4.

UW-Eau Claire also won a pair of individual titles as Molly Warner captured the 10,000-meter run with a time of 37:07.21 and Erin Kokta was victorious in the long jump with a leap of 18-11 1/4.

UW-La Crosse's Julia Rudd was the top finisher in the 3,000-meter steeplechase for the third consecutive season with a time of 10:37.77. She is the first individual in WIAC history to win three straight crowns in the event.

UW-Whitewater's Mollie Zirbel won the javelin with a toss of 122-9, while UW-Platteville claimed the 4x800-meter relay for the second straight year with a performance of 9:28.27. Members of the Pioneers' first-place relay team were Emma Dreis, Steph Martin, Marcia Taddy and Lindsey Vick.

Day One Champions
Men
10,000-meter run: Nick Boehlke (UW-Oshkosh), 31:09.15
3,000-meter steeplechase: Mike Herlihy (UW-La Crosse), 9:09.88
Long Jump: Derek Stanley (UW-Whitewater), 24-1 1/2 (7.35m)
Pole Vault: Zach Johnson (UW-Oshkosh), 16-6 3/4 (5.05m)
Javelin: Tim Jankowski (UW-Platteville), 185-5 (56.53m)
Hammer Throw: Kevin Becker (UW-La Crosse), 195-11 (59.71m)

4x800-meter relay: UW-Eau Claire (Ben Brossard, Wes Fischer, Joey Veriga, Adam Wolfe), 7:44.45

Women
10,000-meter run: Molly Warner (UW-Eau Claire), 37:07.21
3,000-meter steeplechase: Julia Rudd (UW-La Crosse), 10:37.77
Long Jump: Erin Kokta (UW-Eau Claire), 18-11 1/4 (5.77m)
Pole Vault: Kelly Rehn (UW-Oshkosh), 12-2 3/4 (3.73m)
Javelin: Mollie Zirbel (UW-Whitewater), 122-9 (37.42m)
Hammer Throw: Robyn Jarocki (UW-Oshkosh), 186-5 (56.83m)*

4x800-meter relay: UW-Platteville (Emma Dreis, Steph Martin, Marcia Taddy, Lindsey Vick), 9:28.27

Seven Nominated for NCAA Division III Women's Outdoor Track & Field 25th Anniversary Team

Madison, Wis.--Seven Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) individuals, past and present, have been nominated for the NCAA Division III Women's Outdoor Track and Field 25th Anniversary Team.

UW-La Crosse's Cindy Lensmire, Tori Neubauer, Julia Rudd and Jodi Smiley, along with UW-Oshkosh's Stephanie Bostwick, Robyn Jarocki and Liz Woodworth are seven of the 44 individuals designated on the ballot.

Lensmire won the NCAA Division III shot put title in 1983 and claimed the discus throw in 1983 and 1984. Neubauer was the national champion in the 3,000-meter run in 1983, setting a NCAA record with a time of 9:27.44. She also captured the 5,000-meter run in 1983 and 1984 and the 10,000-meter run in 1984.

Rudd won the national title in the 3,000-meter steeplechase in 2004 with a NCAA record time of 10:26.56, while Smiley was the javelin throw champion in 1984, also setting a national record of 170-5.

UW-Oshkosh's Bostwick claimed the NCAA Division III shot put crown in 1990, 1991 and 1992, while Jarocki secured the shot put and discus throw in 2005 and added a hammer throw title in 2004.

Woodworth won the 800-meter run title in 2002, 2003 and 2004, setting a NCAA record with a time of 2:07.39 in 2003 and also set a national record en route to winning the 1,500-meter run championship in 2004 with a performance of 4:15.20.

The 25th anniversary of NCAA Women's Championships is being celebrated throughout the 2005-06 championship season. NCAA Division III Women's Outdoor Track & Field began in 1981 and will be celebrating its 25th anniversary at the 2006 championships being held May 25-27 in Lisle, Illinois.

To commemorate this milestone two Most Outstanding Student-Athletes of the last 25 years will be named with your help. To qualify as a candidate each student-athlete listed has won a minimum of three NCAA Championships in Outdoor Track & Field and/or currently holds a NCAA championship record.

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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