April 23, 2002

MILWAUKEE - The UWM track teams will again compete in both national and regional competitions in the same weekend this weekend, as part of the team will compete in the Drake Relays, while the other part will compete in the UIC Invitational. The Panthers are coming off another split-squad weekend, where several runners were at the Kansas Relays while the rest of the team competed at the Indiana State Pacesetter Invitational, where both teams placed sixth.

Last Week At Kansas

The men's 4x800m relay team went to Kansas with hopes of winning and setting a new school record in the event. Neither goal happened, but the Panthers did do something that has never been accomplished until this year. For the first time in school history, UWM beat Missouri in the event, placing third overall. In all, the Panthers beat Missouri and Iowa State, two traditionally strong middle distance schools. Also at Kansas, four women competed individually in their best events, with some outstanding results. Kristy Naef set two personal records, one in the 100m dash and one in the 100m hurdles, finishing 12th and 13th, respectively. Abby Hurst was fourth in the 3000m steeplechase, while Katie Seep was 14th in the 400m dash. Stephanie Kenesie was the fourth Panther to compete, finishing 26th in the triple jump. The four women collectively also finished third in the sprint medley relay.

Last Week At Indiana State

Numerous personal records fell as both the men and women finished sixth overall in the meet. Host Indiana State captured both team titles. Nicole Frey placed in two events, setting personal records in both the 100m dash and the 200m dash. Lynda Thiel set a pair of personal records in the high jump and the javelin, while Michelle Fritsch had three career marks fall in the pole vault, long jump and 100m hurdles. On the men's side, Jon Manke placed in two events, finishing second in the shot put and fifth in the hammer throw. Ken Hunt finished second in the triple jump, while Kyle Huebner set a personal record in the javelin and finished sixth.

Everyone Loves The Drake

UWM will send more athletes to Drake this weekend to compete alongside those who went to Kansas last weekend. On Thursday, Hurst will compete in the 3000m steeplechase, while Pat Harrington will run in the men's 10,000m. On Friday, the men's 4x800m team will run again to break their own record, along with both 4x400m relay teams. Jon Manke will also compete Friday in both the shot put and the discus. On Saturday, the final day of competition, both sprint medley relay teams will run, along with the women's shuttle hurdle relay team. Ken Hunt will also compete in the triple jump on Saturday.

Running Through Chicago

UWM will compete alongside Horizon League rivals Loyola and UIC on Saturday at the UIC Inviational. Both teams will have split squads there as well, as they will also have athletes competing at the Drake Relays. The meet will give the team another opportunity to improve on seed times for the upcoming Horizon League Championships.

On The Horizon

Next weekend, the Panthers will compete in their final tune-up before the Horizon League Championships. UWM will run on Friday, May 3, across town at the Marquette Invitational. The Panthers will then attempt to repeat as league champions at the Horizon League Championships, to be held May 9 and 10 at Indianapolis, Ind.