UW-La Crosse Edges UW-Stevens Point to Claim Sixth Consecutive Outdoor Track Title

     It will go into the record books as UW-La Crosse's sixth straight WIAC Women's Outdoor Track & Field Championship, but it certainly wasn't easy, as championships host UW-Stevens Point came within three points of upsetting the Eagles at Colman Field. UW-Stevens Point held a 183-182 lead heading into the day's final event, but the Eagles clinched the title with a first place finish in the 4 x 400 meter relay. The Eagles finished the meet with 192 points to UW-Stevens Point's 189. It was the closest finish for the team title with records dating back to the 1985 meet.

     UW-La Crosse won four event titles on Saturday, led by sprinter Angela Klatt. Klatt, who was named the Track Performer of the Meet, won both the 100-meter dash in 12.09 seconds and the 200-meter dash in a time of 24.84 seconds. It was Klatt's second consecutive title in the 100 meters and third straight title in the 200 meters. Jocelyn Loe and Melissa Marvin gave the Eagles a 1-2 finish in the 400 meter run, with Loe taking her second consecutive WIAC title in 57.28 seconds. La Crosse's 4 x 400 meter relay team won their event in 3:55.79.

     UW-Stevens Point also won four events on Saturday. Amanda Nechuta won her second straight conference title in the shot put, with a throw of 14.04 meters. She won the event by a margin of more than one meter. The Pointers took three of the top four places in the 5,000 meter run with Teresa Stanley earning top honors in a time of 18:29.01. Jody Butkowski took home the title in the triple jump, clearing a distance of 12.07 meters. The Pointers also won the 4 x 100 meter relay, crossing the finish line in 48.63 seconds.

     UW-Oshkosh placed third in the team standings with 162.5 points and also picked up four event championships. Liz Woodworth was a double winner for the second straight year, claiming the 800 meters in 2:14.29 and leading a 1-3-4 Titan finish in the 1,500 meters, stopping the clock in 4:40.29. Deena Heins, who was named Field Performer of the Meet, won the discus with a throw of 46.06 meters. Oshkosh also claimed the heptathlon title with Julie Hoch winning with 4,067 points.

     UW-Eau Claire swept both hurdle events and won the high jump in placing fourth overall with 158 points. Jennifer Stafslien and Breanna McMullen finished first and second, respectively, in the 100 meter hurdles. McMullen was the defending champion in the event, but Stafslien edged her teammate with a time 14.73 seconds. McMullen earned her second straight championship in the 400 meter hurdles racing to a win in 1:02.52. Jackie Bloemendeal took home the trophy in the high jump, clearing 1.62 meters.