Similar Feel to 2003 WIAC Women's Track and Field Championships

     With champions returning in 12 different events and UW-La Crosse favored to repeat as the team champion for the sixth straight year, there�s a familiar look to the 2003 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference women�s outdoor track and field championships this weekend in Stevens Point.

     Three two-event champions from last year are back to defend their titles. UW-La Crosse�s Angela Klatt is a favorite to repeat in the sprints with easily the best qualifying times in the conference this season by over a half-second in the 100 meters and by nearly a full second in the 200 meters. UW-Whitewater�s Jessica Janson returns after finishing runner-up in both events last season.

     Klatt also joins teammates Jocelyn Loe, Melissa Marvin and Kelly Runkle for the nation�s best time in the 4x400 meter relay after placing third at nationals last year. Loe is the returning champion in the 400 meters and has the top qualifying time this year.

     UW-Oshkosh�s Elizabeth Woodworth is the defending conference and NCAA Division III champion in the 800 meters and again has the nation�s best time in the event after winning the indoor national title in March. She also ranks third nationally in the 1500 meters and won the WIAC title a year ago.

     Breanna McMullen of UW-Eau Claire was an All-American in both hurdle events last season while claiming WIAC titles in both events. She again has the conference�s best qualifying times in both races and will be challenged in the 100 meter hurdles by teammate Jennifer Stafslein, who ran for UW-La Crosse last year and is also a contender for titles in the long jump and triple jump along with Eagles� freshman Sarah Thayer.

     The meet features two returning two-time champions in UW-Stevens Point�s Becky Clarke, who is on target for her third straight javelin title, and Tricia Clark, who has won the long jump two of the past three years and was fourth at nationals last year.

     UW-Stevens Point�s Amanda Nechuta won the shot put and UW-La Crosse�s Kristin Raether claimed the hammer throw last year, but both will be challenged by UW-Oshkosh�s Deena Heins, who brings the conference�s best qualifying throws in those events as well as the discus. Heins, who won the indoor national title in the 20-pound weight throw, has the nation�s best hammer throw this year, while teammate Penny Godleske has also automatically qualified for nationals in the event.

     Robyn Jarocki of UW-Oshkosh, Sonja Peterson of UW-La Crosse and Ann Schachtner of UW-Stout have all provisionally qualified for nationals in at least two throwing events and will compete for titles this weekend.

     High jumper Kay Mikolajczak of UW-Oshkosh and triple jumper Jody Butkowski of UW-Stevens Point were both WIAC runners-up last year and have the conference�s best qualifying marks this season. Mikolajczak also has the best heptathlon score this season. Angela Hilgers and Bethany Renner of UW-La Crosse both finished in the top four at indoor nationals and will battle for the pole vault title.

     Jackie Munoz of UW-Oshkosh is the defending 3000-meter steeplechase champion, but hasn�t competed in the event this season. Teammate Katie Isermann has the best time in the steeplechase this season, while Munoz will challenge UW-Eau Claire�s Sarah Kasabian for the 5000-meter title. Kara Vosters of UW-Stevens Point was last year�s runner-up in the 10,000-meter run and has the best qualifying time this year.