CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — The University of Wisconsin-Platteville track and field teams competed at the Jack Jennett Invitational at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
"UNI and the Division I competition offered a great challenge for our athletes," said head track and field coach, Chris Rotzenberg. "This meet was a great opportunity and a great experience for our team."
On the men's side, T.J. Valley, a junior from Prairie du Chein, Wis., finished third in the 60-meter hurdles in a time of 8.21 seconds. Valley will most likely move up the national qualifying list from his previous time of 8.28 seconds and current ranking of 6th place.
Aaron Hrubes, a senior from Madison, Wis., was the sole Pioneer champion today with his 200-meter dash performance of 22.35 seconds. Hrubes is currently ranked 8th in the nation in the 60-meter dash.
Senior Chas Spangenberg, from Appleton, Wis., captured a new personal best in the pole vault with a mark of 16 feet 3/4 inch for third overall, first collegiate finisher. "Chas was about a quarter inch away from taking the school record," Rotzenberg. Spangenberg is currently ranked second on the national qualifying list behind Peter Geraghty from North Central.
UNI held the 400-meter hurdles, an exhibition event, in which the Pioneers competed very well. Patrick Kessenich, a junior from Milwaukee, Wis., ran a time of 55.57 seconds placing third. Keturah Vangen, a senior from Rio, Wis., ran a time of 1:07.1, also placing third.
The women's 800-meter run proved well for the Pioneers. Deidre Dillman, a senior from Prairie du Chien, Wis., currently ranked fourth on the national qualifying list in the 800-meter run, led the race from start to finish. She led by three seconds at the 400-meter mark and finished in a time of 2:14.25, easily dominating her competition. Lynea Axelson, a junior from Oregon, Ill., finished fourth in a time of 2:23.0.
In the women's mile, Junior Danielle Kunkel, from Cuba City, Wis., started the mile in a big pack of Division I athletes and proved she belonged there, finishing second with a time of 5:14.03.
The Pioneers will go on to compete on Saturday, Feb. 1 at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa.
