2006 WIAC Men's Indoor Track & Field Headlines

Three Named to Academic All-America Men'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 Men's Track and Field/Cross Country Team. UW-La Crosse's Eric Svestka was a first team pick, while the Eagles' Nate Olson and UW-River Falls' Garrett Duncanson were second team selections.

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).

Svestka, a junior from Decorah, Iowa, boasts a 4.00 grade point average and is majoring in biology. He has been a member of four national champion 4x400-meter relay teams, including two indoor (2004, 2005) and two outdoor (2004, 2005). Svestka was also on UW-La Crosse's national champion distance medley relay team at the 2006 indoor championships. He participated on the winning 1,600-meter relay teams at the 2006 WIAC Indoor and Outdoor Championships.

Olson, a senior from Stevens Point, Wis. (SPASH), is majoring in broadfield science and carries a 3.53 grade point average. He was named the WIAC Max Sparger Indoor Track and Field Scholar-Athlete this year. Olson has earned 16 career (10 outdoor, six indoor) All-America honors, including six national champion 1,600-meter relay titles and the indoor 400-meter dash crown the last two years. He claimed the 200-meter and 400-meter dash titles for the second straight year at the league outdoor meet this season and won the 200-meter indoor prize in 2005 and 2006.

Duncanson, a junior from Mantorville, Minn. (Kasson-Mantorville H.S.), is majoring in biology with a minor in chemistry and carries a 3.99 grade point average. He was a member of the school record-setting 4x100-meter relay team. Duncanson also competed in the 200-meter dash and 400-meter dash during the 2006 outdoor season and the 55-meter dash, 200-meter dash and 400-meter dash events throughout the indoor season.

Madison, Wis.--Four Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) student-athletes have been named to the 2006 CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Five College Division Men's Track and Field/Cross Country Team. UW-La Crosse's Eric Svestka and Nate Olson and UW-River Falls' Garrett Duncanson were first team selections, while UW-Whitewater's Pete Ringquist was a second team choice.

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).

Svestka, Olson and Duncanson are now eligible for the Academic All-America team, which will be announced on June 20.

Ringquist, a senior from Brookfield, Wis. (Central H.S.), maintains a 3.77 grade point average and is majoring in accounting. He was named the Field Performer of the Meet at the WIAC championships this season after winning the discus for the second straight year with a conference record toss. Ringquist is a three-time outdoor All-American in the discus and holds the school record in the event.

Madison, Wis.--Mark Guthrie, who has led the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse men’s track and field team to 21 NCAA Division III national championships, has been named an assistant men’s track and field coach at the University of Wisconsin, coach Ed Nuttycombe announced today. Guthrie, who will coach the Badgers in the long sprints, long hurdles and relays, will begin his duties July 1.

“We’re extremely excited to have someone of Mark’s caliber and credentials join our program,” said Nuttycombe. “He’s going to bring a lot of experience and expertise in the sprints, relays and hurdle areas. I look forward to working with him as we continue to build our program.”

In his 19 years as the head coach of the Eagles, UW-L swept the indoor and outdoor national titles in 1988, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1997, 2001, 2002, 2003 and again in 2004. The Eagles have captured 12 indoor titles, including 2006, and nine outdoor championship under Guthrie.

“We’ve been blessed to accomplish things far beyond my wildest dreams at La Crosse,” said Guthrie. “While I could stay there, I couldn’t do more. I looked at the opportunity at Wisconsin to finish my career at a great academic institution that has a great athletic program and coach track and field at the highest level.”

Guthrie was named the Mondo Division III National Coach of the Year by his peers in the United States Track Coaches Association in 1994, ’97, ’98, ’99, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2005. In addition, he was voted regional coach of the year by the organization in 1994, ’95, ’96, ’97, ’98, ’99, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2005.

Under Guthrie’s direction, UW-L has won 34 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles, including the indoor and outdoor titles in 2006. He was named the WIAC Indoor and Outdoor Coach of the Year in 2006, upping his career total to 16.

“I’ll be working to enhance an already strong program and do whatever I can to support Ed and Jerry (Schumacher) and to make sure we’re competitive in those events at the Big Ten and NCAA level,” said Guthrie. “I think that the athletes, coaches and administration would like to see a more regular appearance on the podium. My goal is to develop the athletes’ god-given abilities to get to that national level.”

In 1997, Guthrie was selected first vice-president of the USTCA Division III and took over as president in December 2000 serving until 2004. Guthrie is currently a member of the NCAA Division III Track & Field Committee.

He was featured in Sports Illustrated’s Faces in the Crowd in the August 11, 2003, edition and received the 2004 United States Sports Academy Distinguished Service Award.

Guthrie is currently coaching Andrew Rock and Mitch Potter. Rock, a 2004 UW-L graduate, was a member of the USA gold medal 1600-meter relay at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. He won the silver medal in the 400-meter dash at the 2005 World Outdoor Championships and was a member of the gold medal 1600-meter relay. He also placed third in the 400 at the 2005 USA Outdoor Championships. Rock was a 17-time NCAA III All-American at UW-L. Potter, a 2004 graduate of the University of Minnesota, won the gold medal in the 400-meter dash at the 2003 Pan American Games. He was also a member of the USA silver medal 4x400-meter relay at the Pan American Games. Potter, a nine-time NCAA I All-American, won a gold medal as a member of the USA 4x400-meter relay at the 2003 World Outdoor Championships.

Guthrie began his coaching career in 1975 at Fennimore (Wis.) High School as the boy’s head cross country and track coach, guiding his team to three consecutive state cross country championships. In 1980, he became head coach of the boy’s track, girl’s track and girl’s cross country programs at Naperville (Ill.) North High School.

He is a 1975 graduate of Wartburg College with a bachelor’s degree in physical education and history. Guthrie also earned his master’s degree in physical education from Chicago State University in 1987.

Guthrie’s Honors
1--U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist (Andrew Rock)
5--Olympic Trials Participants
2--U.S. Olympic Festival Competitors
21--NCAA Division III Championship teams
29--Top-three finishes at the NCAA Division III Championships
62--Individual NCAA Champions
478--NCAA All-Americans
765--NCAA Qualifiers
34--WIAC Championship Teams
320--WIAC Individual Champions
37--WIAC Record Holders
89.5%--Winnig Percentage at the WIAC Championships

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.

UW-La Crosse Captures Sixth Straight NCAA Men's Indoor Track and Field Championship

Northfield, Minn.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse captured its sixth straight NCAA Division III 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 six consecutive national crowns is the longest streak in NCAA Division III history. The indoor national championship is the 13th in school history as the Eagles added titles in 1997, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1988 and 1987.

UW-La Crosse totaled a meet record 78 team points, while Lincoln University (Pa.) finished second with 31 points, followed by UW-Oshkosh with 27 points, Nebraska Wesleyan with 26 points and New Jersey City University with 24 points. The margin of victory for the Eagles also established a meet mark.

UW-Whitewater tied for 13th with 13 points, while UW-Stevens Point tied for 20th with nine points and UW-Platteville tied for 40th with four points.

UW-La Crosse claimed three individual championships and two relay crowns during the two-day event. Nate Olson won the 400-meter dash for the second straight year with a time of 48.26, while Kevin Becker claimed the 35-pound weight throw with a toss of 68-3 3/4. Becker's performance was a meet record and Tostrud Center record.

The Eagles claimed both the 4 x 400-meter relay and distance medley relay titles with times of 3:16.36 and 10:05.24, respectively. Both performances set Tostrud Center records. Tony Marcinek, John Doble, Jeremy Deterville and Olson comprised the 4 x 400 team, while Kevin Oelstrom, Eric Svestka, Andrew Boldt and Mike Herlihy teamed to win the distance medley relay event.

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

WIAC All-Americans:
400-Meter Dash: Nate Olson (UW-La Crosse-Champion), Tony Marcinek (UW-La Crosse-5th)

High Jump: Tom Roszak (UW-Oshkosh-2nd), Mitch Ellis (UW-Stevens Point-6th), Kyle Steiner (UW-Stevens Point-8th)

Pole Vault: Nick Pergande (UW-La Crosse-Champion), Matt Novak (UW-La Crosse-2nd), Jon Heinz (UW-La Crosse-3rd), Zach Johnson (UW-Oshkosh-5th), Alex Tapplin (UW-La Crosse-7th)

35-Pound Weight Throw: Kevin Becker (UW-La Crosse-Champion), Brandon Houle (UW-Oshkosh-3rd), Jim Uppena (UW-Platteville-5th), Jacob Gabrilska (UW-Oshkosh-6th)

4 x 400-Meter Relay: UW-La Crosse (Tony Marcinek, Nate Olson, John Doble, Jeremy Deterville-Champion), UW-Stevens Point (Adam Baumann, Ryan Schroeder, Kyle Steiner, Nick Ver Duin-4th)

Distance Medley Relay: UW-La Crosse (Kevin Oelstrom, Eric Svestka, Andrew Boldt, Mike Herlihy-Champion), UW-Oshkosh (Cal Kromm, Scott Michel, Nate Boehlke, Nick Boehlke-8th)

UW-La Crosse's Olson Named Men's Indoor Track and Field Scholar-Athlete

RELEASED: Tuesday, March 7, 2006

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's Nate Olson has been named the 2006 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Max Sparger Men's Indoor Track and Field Scholar-Athlete.

Olson, a senior from Stevens Point, Wis. (SPASH), carries a 3.53 grade point average and is majoring in broadfield science with a minor in biology. He is a six-time United States Track Coaches Association All-Academic selection and has been recognized on the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll three years. Olson has been acknowledged on UW-La Crosse's Dean's List three semesters.

UW-La Crosse recently won its fifth straight WIAC championship as Olson secured the 200-meter dash title for the second straight year and was a member of the winning 4x200-meter relay team for the fourth straight season. He claimed the national championship in the 400-meter dash last season after finishing runner-up in the event in 2004. Olson is a five-time indoor All-American.

Olson has been a team captain the last three years and has claimed his team's MVP award the past three seasons.

Olson is a member of Athletes in Action and the National Science Teachers Association, while serving as an assistant director of athletic facilities at UW-La Crosse.

Olson becomes the fifth Eagle to secure the league's indoor track and field scholar-athlete award. He joins Andrew Rock (2004), Dan Sutton (2003), Andy Basler (2002) and Mike Seifert (1999) as winners of the prize.

Also nominated for this year's scholar-athlete award were: UW-La Crosse's Eric Svestka, UW-Oshkosh's Joseph Fenrick, UW-Platteville's Erik Bartelson, Bob Dillis and Jim Uppena, UW-Stout's Mark Kempen and UW-Whitewater's Joe Boberschmidt and Joe Schmidt.

The WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award is named after Max Sparger, who served as commissioner of the Wisconsin State University Conference from July, 1971 - July, 1993.

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)

Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn.--Team USA Minnesota's Luke Watson won The Best Cross Country Race on the Planet in Boulder, Colo., and former UW-Platteville all-American Ryan Kleimenhagen ran 3:59:00 in the mile at the Reebok Boston Indoor Games on Jan. 28. In addition, Katie McGregor and Carrie Tollefson finished third and fourth respectively in the women's 3000 meter run at Boston, and Jenelle Deatherage came in eighth in the women's mile run.

"It was a solid opening weekend of racing for these athletes," said Team USA Minnesota coach Dennis Barker. "We got a good indication of where their fitness level is. Ryan's first sub-four minute mile and Luke's win at altitude were particularly good indicators, plus we qualified four athletes for the USA Indoor Championships."

At the Boston Indoor Games, Kleimenhagen was in a field of 11 men (including five Americans) who broke 4 minutes in the mile, which was a new world record for that many men breaking 4 minutes in an indoor mile according to Race Results Weekly. Kleimenhagen's 3:59:00 knocked over 6 seconds off his previous best in the mile of 4:05.18. The race qualified him to run the 1500 meters at the USA Indoor Championships in Boston Feb. 24-26.

About Team USA Minnesota
Team USA Minnesota is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Formed in 2001, the purpose of the training center is to improve post-collegiate American distance running and to develop Olympians. The athletes are coached by Dennis Barker, head cross country and track coach at Augsburg College in Minneapolis. The nonprofit training center is operated by a group of volunteers and supported by local organizations and individuals. Team USA Minnesota's major sponsor is Life Time Fitness (www.lifetimefitness.com) and its silver sponsor is the Twin Cities Marathon. For more information, visit the web site at www.teamusaminesota.org.

	WIAC	NCAA	WIAC	NCAA
Year	Indoor	Indoor	Outdoor	Outdoor
2006	1st	1st	1st
2005	1st	1st	1st	2nd
2004	1st	1st	1st	1st
2003	1st	1st	1st	1st
2002	1st	1st	1st	1st
2001	2nd	1st	1st	1st
2000	1st	3rd	1st	4th
1999	2nd	3rd	1st	8th
1998	1st	5th	1st	4th
1997	1st	1st	1st	1st
1996	1st	4th	1st	11th
1995	1st	3rd	1st	6th
1994	1st	1st	1st	2nd
1993	1st	1st	1st	1st
1992	1st	1st	1st	1st
1991	1st	1st	1st	1st
1990	1st	3rd	2nd	16th
1989	2nd	3rd	1st	3rd
1988	1st	1st	1st	1st