April 1, 2002

MILWAUKEE - The UWM track and field teams continue their season this weekend when they travel to Charleston, Ill., to compete in the Eastern Illinois Invitational.

The Panthers competed last year at the Eastern Illinois Invitational and saw several athletes capture key wins. Kristy Naef won the heptathlon and set a school record with 4889 points. Jon Manke and Ken Hunt also took home victories, with Manke winning the shot put and Hunt taking first in the triple jump.

Last Week: UWM is coming off a strong showing in particular from the field events at the Purdue Invitational last weekend. Stephanie Kenesie capped off the performances on the women's side by taking a second-place finish in the long jump with a jump of 19'1 1/4" to go along with a pair of fourth-place finishes in the triple jump and the javelin. For the men, Jon Manke took second in the discus with a throw of 171'9", just one inch short of first place. He also added a sixth-place finish in the shot put.

Two For Two: Junior Abby Hurst has competed in two events this outdoor season for the Panthers and has come away with two first-place finishes. Hurst took first in the 5,000m at the Washington University Mini Meet two weeks ago before winning the 3,000m Steeplechase at the Purdue Invitational last weekend. Hurst finished in third a year ago at the league championships in the 3,000m Steeplechase and was also third in the 10,000.

Just Off The Record: Senior Jon Manke has a chance to be one of the top throwers in Panther history this year, as two of the three throwing event school records are within his reach. Manke nearly broke his own school record in the discus Saturday with his throw of 171'9". Manke set the school mark in 1998 with a throw of 172'10". Manke was also close to the school mark in the shot put with his throw of 52'3 1/4". The school mark in the shot is 54'7", set by Bill Meyer in 1971. Both records could fall before Manke's senior season is completed. The school record in the other throwing event, the hammer throw, is 170'5", set in 1968 by Dave Gename, the oldest school record still standing. Manke's best hammer effort to date is 144'0", set last year.

Indoor Season In Review: UWM finished second on the men's side and third on the women's side at the Horizon League Championships, held on Feb. 23 and 24 in Greencastle, Ind. Stephanie Kenesie was named the Horizon League Indoor Championship Outstanding Performer for Field Events after winning both the long jump and triple jump, and placing second in the 60m hurdles.

Nicole Frey won the 200m and also took third place in the 60m, behind teammate Kristy Naef's second-place finish. In the women's distance events, Abby Hurst claimed third place in the 3000m and added a fifth-place showing in the 1000m.

On the men's side, Ken Hunt highlighted the Panthers when he won the men's triple jump and finished second in the long jump. Kyle Huebner won the pole vault and finished fifth in both the high jump and triple jump. Nick Davis added a win in the high jump and grabbed a third-place finish in the triple jump. Eric Gresham captured a pair of second-place finishes, one in the 200m and one in the 400m. Jon Manke also placed in both throwing events, taking second in the shot put and third in the weight throw. Cornelius Hill finished second in the mile and the took fourth in the 5000m. UWM also took first place in the men's 4x400m relay, winning in 3:21.50.

Several Panthers competed in the Last Chance Qualifier at Iowa State on March 1. Abby Hurst won the 5000m, while Cornelius Hill was fifth in the mile and Katie Seep finished fifth in the 400m. Ken Hunt took second in the triple jump and Jon Manke took third in the shot put.

Up Next: UWM will take to the road next weekend to visit the other side of Illinois when they travel to Macomb, Ill., for the Western Illinois Invitational.