Eagles and Titans Renew Rivalry at 2006 Women's Indoor Championships

     Two longtime Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference women�s indoor track and field rivals are sure to put on another exciting event as UW-La Crosse and UW-Oshkosh lead the competition into this weekend�s conference meet in Stevens Point.

     The two schools have combined to win the past 21 titles and are the only current conference members ever to win the crown. Six-time defending champion UW-La Crosse edged UW-Oshkosh by less than five points a year ago in the closest race in meet history before the Titans went on to claim their second consecutive NCAA Division III championship.

     UW-La Crosse has no returning individual champions from last year, but senior Julia Rudd, who won the 2004 title in the 3000-meter run and the 2003 crown in the 5000-meter run is back as a contender in both events after not competing at last year�s indoor meet. Junior Jena Durnin was fifth in the 55-meter dash last year, but has turned in the nation�s top time this season at 7.14 seconds. She was also ninth in the long jump last year and boasts the nation�s second-best leap this year at 18 feet, eight inches. Junior Alyssa Leonard adds the league�s best high jump mark so far this season.

     UW-Oshkosh is led by senior Robyn Jarocki was the field athlete of the meet at the NCAA Division III championships the past two years and won national titles last year in the 20-pound weight throw and shot put. Her weight throw of 67 feet, 9.75 inches and shot put heave of 52 feet, 7.25 inches are both the best in the country this season. Senior Danielle Rankin is also a top competitor in both events and junior Terri Schwamb ranks third nationally in the weight throw.

     Titans� junior Nadine Pieske has the best 200-meter dash time in the conference this year and junior Lyndsey Thoma is the top-ranked triple jumper. Junior Nicole Pelischek posted the league�s best pentathlon score during the season and is also a contender in the 55-meter dash.

     UW-Stevens Point senior Jenna Mitchler is the defending conference and national champion in the 800-meter run and also won the league title in the 3,000-meter run to earn track athlete of the meet honors. Pointers� senior Teresa Stanley returns to defend her title in the 5,000-meter run.

     UW-Stout�s top contender is likely Nikki Sims, who placed in the top six in the long jump and triple jump last season.

     UW-Eau Claire senior Stephanie Barnes is the defending conference champion and returning national outdoor titlist in the pole vault. She carries the nation�s best height this year at 12 feet, nine inches. Freshman Liz Kooistra is ranked fifth nationally in the 400-meter dash, while junior Liz Faller has the conference�s best time in the 55-meter hurdles.

     UW-Platteville will likely rise in the team standings with two NCAA automatic qualifiers in the 800-meter run in junior Marcia Taddy and freshman Jessica Scott. Taddy was the outdoor national champion in the 800-meter run last year and also has an automatic time in the one-mile. The pair also is part of the Pioneers� distance medley relay that ranks third nationally. Junior Jackie Mulrooney has automatically qualified in the 5000-meter run and senior Carrie Morschauser will contend for the high jump title. Sophomore Tracey Wilber is the defending 55-meter dash conference champion.

     UW-Whitewater senior Megan Kielar is an NCAA provisional qualifier in the 800-meter run and one-mile. UW-River Falls has provisional qualifying times from sophomore hurdler Brittany Smith, senior high jumper Jill Crandall and sophomore thrower Krista Hasselquist. UW-Superior sophomore Lindsay Tafs has a provisional time in the 400-meter dash and was last year�s conference runner-up in the 200-meter dash.

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