Panthers hope to build on last weekend's solid season-opener.

April 1, 1999

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee mens and womens track and field hope to build on its successful season-opener last weekend at the Purdue Invitational when it travels this weekend to Charleston, Ill., to compete in Eastern Illinois Universitys Big Blue Classic track and field meet. The meet begins on Thursday, April 1, and ends on Saturday, April 3, at OBrien Stadium. Events are scheduled for Thursday from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until 5:55 p.m., and concludes on Saturday with events running from 10:30 a.m. until 5:55 p.m. The meet will feature 11 schools, including UWM, Eastern Illinois, Illinois State, Bradley and the Purdue womens team.

Several key Panther athletes are scheduled to travel to the Big Blue this weekend, and include Paul McGinley, school record holder in the decathlon (6,799), who will open his multi-event season. Top distance runner Corey Peterson will take the week off, while Chris Brace will try to continue his consistency in the high jump. On the womens side, Julie Metrish and Nicole Wee will compete in the heptathlon and top distance runner Emily Hauer will compete in both the 3,000m and 1,500m after setting a personal best in the 10K at the Raleigh Relays last weekend. The womens 4x100m relay looks to improve on its second-place finish in 49.79 at the Purdue Invitational last weekend and Liz Pesch will compete in the 1,500m for the second consecutive week after setting a new personal best last weekend at the Purdue Invitational with a time of 4:56.12.

In the teams season opener last weekend at the Purdue Invitational, the Panthers finished strong Top finishers for the men included: Chris Brace (Janesville, Wis.-Parker) placed third in mens triple jump with a distance of 4408.00". Paul McGinley (Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.-Wisconsin Rapids) took second in the javelin throw with 166'08.00" as well as jumping 14'5.25" in the pole vault. Top finisher for the women was Andrea Thibaudeau (Green Bay, Wis.-East) who finished fourth in the 100 meter high hurdles in 15.62.

A pair of UWM distance runners competed last weekend in the Raleigh Relays as well. Emily Hauer (Whitefish Bay, Wis.-Dominican) completed the 10,000 meter run in 22nd place with a personal-best time of 37:32.06 while Cory Peterson (Ogdensburg, Wis.-Little Wolf) achieved the meets top collegiate time in the 1,500 meter in 3:52.92.