2016 WIAC Men's Indoor Track & Field Championship Preview University of Wisconsin-La Crosse will strive for a 15th straight first-place finish at the 2016 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Men’s Indoor Track & Field Championship (presented by Culver’s) at UW-Oshkosh’s Kolf Sports Center Feb. 26-27. The 48th gathering of the men’s teams will be held in conjunction with the 40th edition of the women’s meet. The Eagles claimed the 40th league crown in program history a season ago with 161 points to eclipse the 137 points by UW-Eau Claire. UW-Whitewater took third with 106.50 points, UW-Oshkosh fourth with 88, UW-Platteville fifth with 69, UW-Stevens Point sixth with 59.50, UW-Stout seventh with 40, UW-River Falls eighth with 25 and former member UW-Superior ninth with 14. This year’s championship features 14 student-athletes that have combined to win seven individual and 10 relay titles at previous WIAC championships. It will also showcase six teams ranked in the Top 25 of the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association NCAA Division III computer rankings distributed on Feb. 23. UW-Eau Claire is ranked first, while UW-La Crosse is second, UW-Whitewater third, UW-Oshkosh 13th, UW-Platteville 23rd and UW-Stout 25th. UW-La Crosse junior Ross Denman claimed Track Performer of the Meet honors a season ago and is the two-time defending champion in the 400-meter dash, while adding the 200-meter dash title a year ago. He could become just the second three-time winner of the 400-meter dash, joining UW-Stout’s Terry Anders (1995-97). Senior Cyrus Mason was a member of the triumphant distance medley relay squad in 2013 and 2014. He was joined on the 2014 team by sophomore Cole Hauenstein and senior Tom Linner. UW-Eau Claire sophomore Josh Thorson posted a first-place finish in the 3,000-meter run a year ago. The Blugold trio of seniors Kevin Brooks and Will LaJeuesse, along with junior Jimmy Paske, were members of the winning 4x400-meter relay team in 2014. UW-Oshkosh sophomore Roberto Lara and UW-River Falls senior David Paynotta are the defending champions in the one-mile run and 60-meter dash, respectively. UW-Stevens Point junior Dane Tyler and senior Nicholas Melotte contributed to the first-place distance medley relay team a year ago, while UW-Stout senior Nick Lubinski claimed the triple jump at the 2014 championship. UW-Whitewater senior Bryce Rudebeck helped the 4x400-meter relay unit to a first-place finish in 2013. # # # # #