2007 WIAC Men's Outdoor Track & Field Headlines

2007 WIAC Men's Outdoor Track & Field Headlines

UW-La Crosse’s Ericksen Headed to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi

RELEASED: Thursday, August 2, 2007

La Crosse, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse head men’s track & field coach Brent Ericksen has announced his resignation to become an assistant track & field coach at NCAA Division I Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

“This was a second to none experience at UW-La Crosse,” said Ericksen. “I want to thank the members of the team for everything they did for me, their hard work and effort. I’ll always remember the three days at outdoor nationals and winning the championship. It was fantastic the way they competed.”

Ericksen completed his first year as UW-La Crosse’s head coach in 2007, leading the Eagles to their 11th NCAA Division III Outdoor Championship. For his efforts, Ericksen was named the 2007 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Coach of the Year by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). UW-La Crosse won the 2007 title with 99.0 points. The 11 national titles are the most in NCAA III history and UW-La Crosse has now won six of the last seven outdoor championships. The Eagles had 23 athletes competing in this year’s national meet with 16 student-athletes earning All-America accolades.

Named the 2007 USTFCCCA Midwest Region Coach of the Year, Ericksen led UW-La Crosse to its 17th consecutive Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Outdoor Championship this season. The Eagles have won 29 of the last 30 outdoor conference titles. Ericksen was selected the 2007 outdoor conference coach of the year. He also led UW-La Crosse to its sixth straight WIAC Indoor Championship in 2007 and a second-place finish at the NCAA III Indoor Championships.

Ericksen served as head men’s and women’s cross country/track & field coach and kinesiology instructor at Texas A&M Kingsville from 2000-06. He coached 77 NCAA Division II Track & Field All-Americans at TAMUK and was named the Lone Star Conference Track & Field Coach of the Year three times (2002, 2003, 2006). Prior to arriving in Kingsville, he was the assistant men’s and women’s cross country coach/track & field coach and physical education instructor at California State University, Stanislaus from 1998-2000. Ericksen earned his bachelor’s degree from California State University, Stanislaus in 1989 and his master’s degree from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo in 1992.

Other previous coaching experiences include at South Dakota State University, Marquette University (Wis.), Mount Marty College (S.D.) and California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

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USTFCCCA Announces All-Academic Teams

RELEASED: Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Madison, Wis.--The United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) has announced its All-Academic Teams and individuals for the 2006-07 season.

UW-Platteville’s men’s program was named the Outdoor Team of the Year after accumulating a 3.032 team grade point average and placing fourth at the national outdoor meet, while UW-La Crosse’s and UW-Oshkosh’s women’s programs were named the Indoor and Outdoor Team’s of the Year, respectively. The Eagles registered a 3.400 GPA and finished fourth at the indoor meet, while the Titans had a 3.290 GPA and won the outdoor national title.

In addition, UW-Oshkosh’s Terri Schwamb (Jr., Little Chute, Wis.) was named the USTFCCCA NCAA Division III Women’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year. She is majoring in math education and carries a 3.959 GPA. Schwamb also won the hammer throw at this year’s outdoor meet and the 20-pound weight throw during the indoor competition.

On the men’s side, UW-Stevens Point received recognition after accumulating a 3.019 GPA. A total of 47 NCAA Division III men’s programs were honored.

Individuals from the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference receiving recognition included: UW-Oshkosh’s Kevin Lofy, Scott Michel, Jared Morris and Phillip Prusinski, UW-Platteville’s Scott Howard, Cody Egan, Michael Mani and Mitch Spees and UW-Stevens Point’s Cory Baumann, Kyle Steiner, Corey Towle and Nicholas Ver Duin.

UW-Platteville (3.313) and UW-Whitewater (3.070) were among the 73 NCAA Division III women’s programs to receive mention.

Conference individuals claiming all-academic status consisted of: UW-La Crosse’s Jena Durnin, Katie Fondow, Krista Kopetsky, Lindsay Leech, Ashton May, Kristen Painter, Caitlin Perra, Danica Schaefer, Caitlin Schetter, Katie Steingraeber, UW-Oshkosh’s Jennifer Graef, Brigid Hamill, Rebecca Masephol, Amy Mleziva, Nicole Pelischek, Sarah Schettle, Terri Schwamb, Kayla Sharpee, Stephanie Sisk, UW-Platteville’s Jessica Scott and Marcia Taddy, UW-Superior’s Sheri Niemeyer and UW-Whitewater’s Jennifer Rogers and Mollie Zirbel.

The selection of the All-Academic Indoor and Outdoor Team’s of the Year award is based on a combination of athletic and academic achievements, with the top honor going to the team that had the best finish at the Division III Indoor and/or Outdoor national championships and also holding the highest cumulative GPA.

To be nominated, a team must carry a minimum 3.000 cumulative GPA, while individuals must have a 3.250 GPA and obtain a NCAA qualifying mark in their respective event.

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UW-Stevens Point’s Steiner Claims Academic All-America Honors

RELEASED: Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s Kyle Steiner has been named to the 2007 CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America College Division Men’s Track and Field/Cross Country Second Team.

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

Steiner, a senior from Grafton, Wis., is majoring in biology with a minor in chemistry and maintains a 3.79 grade point average. He was named the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Indoor Track and Field Scholar-Athlete this season. Steiner claimed outdoor All-America honors in the heptathlon this year with a second-place finish and was a member of the eighth-place 4x400-meter relay team. He is also a three-time indoor All-American.

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UW-Stevens Point’s Steiner Named to Academic All-District Team

RELEASED: Monday, June 11, 2007

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s Kyle Steiner has been named to the 2007 CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Five College Division Men’s Track and Field/Cross Country First Team.

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).

Steiner, a senior from Grafton, Wis., is majoring in biology - chemistry and maintains a 3.79 grade point average. He was named the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Indoor Track and Field Scholar-Athlete this season. Steiner claimed outdoor All-America honors in the heptathlon this year with a second-place finish and was a member of the eighth-place 4x400-meter relay team. He is also a three-time indoor All-American.

Steiner is eligible for the Academic All-America team which will be announced on June 25.

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Outdoor Track and Field Athletes Capture Awards; UW-La Crosse’s Ericksen Named Coach of the Year

RELEASED: Thursday, May 31, 2007

Madison, Wis.--Two Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) student-athletes have received national awards from the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) for their achievements during the 2007 outdoor season.

UW-Platteville’s Marcia Taddy was named the NCAA Division III Women’s Track Athlete of the Year, while UW-River Falls’ Jill Crandall received the Women’s Field Athlete of the Year honor. In addition, UW-La Crosse head coach Brent Ericksen was named the NCAA Division III Men’s Coach of the Year.

Taddy, a junior from Two Rivers, Wis., won the 1,500-meter run at the NCAA Division III Championship and placed sixth in the 800-meter run. She also won both events at the WIAC Championship and was a member of the winning 4x800-meter relay team.

Crandall, a senior from Roseville, Minn., claimed the high jump at the national championship and finished third in the heptathlon. She also won the heptathlon at the conference meet.

Ericksen directed UW-La Crosse to its second straight national championship and 17th consecutive conference title this season. He completed his first year at the helm of the Eagles and had 23 individuals qualify for the national meet.

Taddy and Crandall also claimed their respective awards in the Midwest Region and were joined by UW-Platteville’s Tyler Sigl, who secured the Men’s Track Athlete of the Year and UW-Stevens Point’s Kyle Steiner, who was named the Men’s Field Athlete of the Year.

Ericksen was named the region’s coach of the year and UW-La Crosse’s women’s coach, Pat Healy, received the regional coach of the year honor.

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UW-La Crosse Wins Second Straight NCAA Men’s Outdoor Track and Field Championship

RELEASED: Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Oshkosh, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse won its second straight NCAA Division III men’s outdoor track and field championship at J.J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium on May 26. The event was held May 24-26 and hosted by UW-Oshkosh for the first time.

The Eagles totaled 99 team points to earn the 11th outdoor national title in school history and sixth in the last seven seasons. UW-La Crosse has won 24 track and field titles in school history (13 indoor, 11 outdoor), more than any other Division III institution.

State University of New York-Cortland placed second in the team standings with 34 points, while Monmouth College (Ill.) was third with 28 points. UW-Platteville and St. John’s University (Minn.) tied for fourth with 27 points.

UW-Whitewater finished sixth with 26 points, UW-Oshkosh tied for eighth with 20 points, UW-Stevens Point tied for 23rd with 14 points, UW-River Falls tied for 42nd with five points and UW-Eau Claire and UW-Superior tied for 66th with two points.

UW-La Crosse’s Kevin Becker won the hammer throw for the second time in his career with a fling of 198-10. He also finished first in the event during the 2005 national meet. The 4x400-meter relay team of David Kolbe, Jonathan Doble, Jeremy Deterville and Tony Marcinek were victorious with a time of 3:11.01.

UW-Platteville’s Tyler Sigl earned the 10,000-meter run crown with a performance of 30:54.19 and placed second in the 5,000-meter run with a time of 14:29.22. He is the first Pioneer male to win an outdoor championship since Corey Stelljes captured the same race in 2003.

UW-Whitewater’s Dan Hytinen won the discus with a toss of 178-0. His title is the eighth in outdoor competition for the Warhawks with the most recent being Ross Kapp in the hammer throw a year ago.

WIAC All-Americans (Top eight finish in each event):
100-Meter Dash: Marcus Walgrave (UW-La Crosse-4th)
200-Meter Dash: Michael Queensland (UW-La Crosse-3rd), Tony Marcinek (UW-La Crosse-5th), Marcus Walgrave (UW-La Crosse-8th)
400-Meter Dash: Tony Marcinek (UW-La Crosse-2nd), Scott Michel (UW-Oshkosh-5th)
800-Meter Run: Joe Boberschmidt (UW-Whitewater-5th), Matt Kramer (UW-Superior-7th)
1,500-Meter Run: Brian Butzler (UW-Whitewater-3rd), Kyle Stangel (UW-Platteville-6th)
5,000-Meter Run: Tyler Sigl (UW-Platteville-2nd)
10,000-Meter Run: Tyler Sigl (UW-Platteville-Champion), Paul Moran (UW-La Crosse-3rd), Willy Kaul (UW-Oshkosh-5th)
110-Meter Hurdles: Ben Zizis (UW-Platteville-3rd), Jamar Jackson (UW-La Crosse-4th)
400-Meter Hurdles: Brad Peterson (UW-La Crosse-4th)
4x100-Meter Relay: UW-La Crosse (Alex Rooker, Marcus Walgrave, Jeremy Deterville, Michael Queensland-3rd)
4x400-Meter Relay: UW-La Crosse (David Kolbe, Jonathan Doble, Jeremy Deterville, Tony Marcinek-Champion), UW-Stevens Point (Ty Cook, Ryan Schroeder, Kyle Steiner, Nick Ver Duin-8th)
Triple Jump: Jesse Dengsavang (UW-La Crosse-5th)
Shot Put: Bobby Riley (UW-La Crosse-2nd), Dan Hytinen (UW-Whitewater-3rd)
Discus: Dan Hytinen (UW-Whitewater-Champion), Bobby Riley (UW-La Crosse-3rd)
35-Pound Hammer Throw: Kevin Becker (UW-La Crosse-Champion), Jacob Gabrilska (UW-Oshkosh-4th), Ryan Brohmer (UW-Eau Claire-8th)
Javelin: Bronson Stelzer (UW-La Crosse-7th)
Pole Vault: John Heinz (UW-La Crosse-2nd), Matt Novak (UW-La Crosse-3rd), Zach Johnson (UW-Oshkosh-3rd)
Decathlon: Kyle Steiner (UW-Stevens Point-2nd), Clint Christy (UW-River Falls-4th), Steve Nowak (UW-Oshkosh-7th)

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UW-La Crosse’s Becker and UW-Whitewater’s Otte Named Men’s Outdoor Track and Field Co-Scholar-Athletes

RELEASED: Monday, May 7, 2007

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse’s Kevin Becker and UW-Whitewater’s Jonathan Otte have been named 2007 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Max Sparger Men’s Outdoor Track and Field Co-Scholar-Athletes.

Becker, a senior from Rochester, Minn. (Mayo H.S.), carries a 3.37 grade point average and is majoring in physical education and health education. He received the American Association of Health Education Outstanding School Health Major of the Year award and has been recognized on UW-La Crosse’s Dean’s List, as well as the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll.

A two-year team captain, Becker won the hammer throw for the second consecutive season at the WIAC championship as the Eagles rolled to the league title. He won the national championship in the hammer throw in 2005 and was runner-up in the event in 2004. Becker also holds the school record in the hammer throw.

He is a member of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, the American Association for Health Education, the Wisconsin Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance and the UW-La Crosse Winner’s Council.

Otte, a senior from Plymouth, Wis., is majoring in accounting and maintains a 3.77 grade point average. He has earned All-Academic honors from the track coaches association three straight years and is a three-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll. Otte has been acknowledged on UW-Whitewater’s Dean’s List six semesters and received the Chancellor’s Scholar-Athlete Award.

A team co-captain this year, Otte is a three-time outdoor All-American as a member of relay teams and was a member of the conference champion 4x100-meter relay team last season. He holds the school record in the 4x100-meter relay and the 4x400-meter relay and earned the team’s Sophomore of the Year award.

Otte is a member of the Beta Alpha Psi, Phi Kappa Phi and Beta Gamma Sigma Honors Societies. He has also served on UW-Whitewater’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and the Campus Crusade for Christ.

Also nominated for this year’s scholar-athlete award were: UW-La Crosse’s Gabe Siehr (Sr., Manitowoc, Wis./Roncalli), UW-Oshkosh’s Jesse Sanchez (Sr., Lake Geneva, Wis./Badger), UW-Platteville’s Eric Bakkum (Sr., Mount Hope, Wis./River Ridge) and UW-River Falls’ Robert Hanson (Sr., Cambridge, Minn./Cambridge-Isanti), Jeremy Olson (Sr., Greenwood, Wis.) and Rick Stewart (Sr., Oregon, Wis.).

The WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award is named after Max Sparger and sponsored by Hewlett-Packard. Sparger 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.

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UW-La Crosse’s Ericksen Named Men’s Outdoor Track Coach of the Year

RELEASED: Monday, May 7, 2007

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse head coach Brent Ericksen was named the 2007 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Men’s Outdoor Track and Field Coach of the Year based on voting by the league coaches.

Ericksen is in his first season in charge of the Eagles and directed the squad to its 17th consecutive WIAC championship.

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UW-La Crosse Captures 17th Straight Men’s Outdoor Track and Field Title

RELEASED: Sunday, May 6, 2007

River Falls, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse captured its 17th straight Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) men’s outdoor track and field title at the 2007 conference championship, which was held at UW-River Falls’ Ramer Field on May 4-5.

The Eagles have now won 29 of the last 30 league gatherings and 43 WIAC championships in school history.

UW-La Crosse totaled 232 points during the two-day event to outdistance UW-Whitewater for the fourth straight year. The Warhawks compiled 158 points and were followed by UW-Oshkosh in third with 103 points, UW-Stevens Point in fourth with 102 points, UW-Platteville in fifth with 84 points, UW-Eau Claire and UW-Stout tied for sixth with 62 points, UW-River Falls placed eighth with 40 points and UW-Superior was ninth with 14 points.

UW-La Crosse won 12 individual titles and was led by the efforts of Kevin Becker and Mike Herlihy. Becker claimed the hammer throw for the second straight year with a fling of 210-7, while Herlihy successfully defended his championship in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a performance of 9:18.86. Michael Queensland claimed the 100-meter dash in 10.81, Marcus Walgrave earned the 200-meter dash with a time of 21.88 and Tony Marcinek secured the 400-meter dash in 47.03.

Andrew Boldt was victorious in the 800-meter run with a performance of 1:54.93, Paul Moran won the 10,000-meter run with a time of 30:50.12 and Brad Peterson secured the 400-meter hurdles in 52.71.

Jesse Dengsavang earned the triple jump crown with a leap of 48-2 3/4, Matt Novak placed first in the pole vault with a height of 16-6 1/2, Bobby Riley won the shot put with a heave of 54-3 1/4 and Bronson Stelzer won the javelin with a throw of 186-0.

UW-Platteville’s Tyler Sigl was named the Track Performer of the Meet after winning the 1,500-meter run with a time of 3:58.31 and the 5,000-meter run with a performance of 15:14.45. It marked the third straight year he has claimed the 1,500-meter crown.

The Pioneers’ Ben Zizis secured the 110-meter hurdles with a clocking of 14.77.

UW-Stevens Point’s Kyle Steiner was named the Field Performer of the Meet after capturing the top spot in the decathlon with 6,664 points. The Pointers’ Mitch Ellis won the high jump for the second consecutive season with a leap of 6-8 1/4.

UW-Whitewater’s Dan Herms was victorious in the long jump with a distance of 23-5 1/4 and Dan Hytinen earned the discus title with a toss of 177-11.

In the relay events, UW-La Crosse won the 4x100 and 4x400-meter competitions with times of 41.14 and 3:16.37, respectively, while UW-Oshkosh claimed the 4x800 with a performance of 7:43.24.

UW-La Crosse head coach Brent Ericksen was voted the Coach of the Year, while the Eagles’ Kevin Becker and UW-Whitewater’s Jonathan Otte were named Max Sparger Co-Scholar-Athletes.

WIAC Champions:
100-meter dash: Michael Queensland (UW-La Crosse), 10.81
200-meter dash: Marcus Walgrave (UW-La Crosse), 21.88
400-meter dash: Tony Marcinek (UW-La Crosse), 47.03
800-meter run: Andrew Boldt (UW-La Crosse), 1:54.93
1,500-meter run: Tyler Sigl (UW-Platteville), 3:58.31
5,000-meter run: Tyler Sigl (UW-Platteville), 15:14.45
10,000-meter run: Paul Moran (UW-La Crosse), 30:50.12
3,000-meter steeplechase: Mike Herlihy (UW-La Crosse), 9:18.86
110-meter hurdles: Ben Zizis (UW-Platteville), 14.77
400-meter hurdles: Brad Peterson (UW-La Crosse), 52.71
High Jump: Mitch Ellis (UW-Stevens Point), 6-8 1/4 (2.04m)
Long Jump: Dan Herms (UW-Whitewater), 23-5 1/4 (7.14m)
Triple Jump: Jesse Dengsavang (UW-La Crosse), 48-2 3/4 (14.70m)
Pole Vault: Matt Novak (UW-La Crosse), 16-6 1/2 (5.04m)
Hammer Throw: Kevin Becker (UW-La Crosse), 210-7 (64.18m)
Shot Put: Bobby Riley (UW-La Crosse), 54-3 1/4 (16.54m)
Discus: Dan Hytinen (UW-Whitewater), 177-11 (54.23m)
Javelin: Bronson Stelzer (UW-La Crosse), 186-0 (56.69m)
Decathlon: Kyle Steiner (UW-Stevens Point), 6,664 points

4x100-meter relay: UW-La Crosse, 41.14
4x400-meter relay: UW-La Crosse, 3:16.37
4x800-meter relay: UW-Oshkosh, 7:43.24

Track Performer of the Meet: Tyler Sigl of UW-Platteville
Field Performer of the Meet: Kyle Steiner of UW-Stevens Point
Max Sparger Co-Scholar-Athletes: Kevin Becker of UW-La Crosse and Jonathan Otte of UW-Whitewater
Coach of the Year: Brent Ericksen of UW-La Crosse

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