2016 WIAC Women's Indoor Track & Field Championship Preview

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse will target a fourth consecutive title at the 2016 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Women’s Indoor Track & Field Championship (presented by Culver’s) at UW-Oshkosh’s Kolf Sports Center Feb. 26-27. The 40th version of the women’s championship will be held in unison with the 48th assembling of the men’s squads.
 
The Eagles collected the 23rd WIAC crown in program archives a year ago with 207 points to exceed UW-Oshkosh’s second-place total of 123 points. UW-Eau Claire finished third with 104 points, UW-Stout fourth with 80, UW-Stevens Point fifth with 66, UW-Platteville sixth with 55.50, UW-Whitewater seventh with 51, UW-River Falls eighth with 12.50 and former member UW-Superior ninth with one.
 
This year’s championship features nine student-athletes that have combined to win seven individual and five relay titles at previous conference championships. It will also showcase five 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 fourth, while UW-La Crosse is fifth, UW-Oshkosh 11th, UW-Stout 14th and UW-Platteville 16th.
 
UW-La Crosse senior Claire Gordee captured the 60-meter hurdles last season and received Track Performer of the Meet recognition, while sophomore Valerie Jones helped the distance medley relay squad to victory a year ago.
 
At the 2014 championship, senior Bria Halama won the triple jump and contributed to the first-place 4x400-meter relay squad.
 
UW-Oshkosh senior Kasey Ederer secured the high jump at the 2015 championship, while UW-Platteville junior Amber Williams earned the long jump and triple jump crowns a season ago. Williams earned Field Performer of the Meet honors for her efforts.
 
UW-Stout senior Laurisa Titterrud is the defending champion in the 400-meter dash and was a member of the winning 4x400-meter relay team, along with classmates Molly Brion and Alex Titterud. Senior Kathleen Thorn was victorious in the 5,000-meter run at last year’s meet.
 

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