2024 WIAC Men's Outdoor Track & Field Championship Preview University of Wisconsin-La Crosse will aim for a second consecutive title at the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Men’s Outdoor Track & Field Championship (presented by Culver’s) at UW-Platteville’s Track & Field Complex May 3-4. This will mark the 105th gathering of conference teams. The Eagles accumulated 245 points to claim the 57th conference championship in program history and 31st time in the last 32 seasons. UW-Oshkosh placed second with 150 points, while UW-Whitewater took third with 124, UW-Eau Claire fourth with 88.50, UW-Stout fifth with 78, UW-Platteville sixth with 56, UW-Stevens Point seventh with 45.50 and UW-River Falls eighth with 32. UW-Oshkosh has six conference championships, while UW-Stevens Point and UW-Whitewater own four and UW-Stout one. Former member UW-Milwaukee collected 34 first-place finishes. Competition at this year’s championship will begin at 2:30 p.m. on May 3, and 11:00 a.m. on May 4. Medals will be awarded to the top-eight finishers in each of the individual events and runners comprising the top-six relay teams, while All-Conference designation will be given to the top-three finishers in each event. This year’s meet features three teams ranked in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association NCAA Division III Rating Index distributed on April 23. UW-La Crosse is the top-ranked team, while UW-Oshkosh is eighth, UW-Eau Claire ninth and UW-Platteville 15th. Returning champions in individual events include: UW-Eau Claire’s Yakob Ekoue (2023/shot put and discus), Stefan Klechefski (2023/100-meter dash), Colin McClowry (2022/400-meter dash), Mitch Stegeman (2022/pole vault; 2023/decathlon), and Sam Verkerke (1,500-meter run); UW-La Crosse’s Nathan Andringa (2023/high jump), Sam Blaskowski (2022/100-meter dash, 200-meter dash and long jump), Chase Doornink (2023/100-meter dash), Ethan Gregg (2022/5,000-meter run and 10,000-meter run; 2023/10,000-meter run), Cael Schoemann (2023/800-meter run), and Luke Schroeder (2023/400-meter hurdles); UW-Oshkosh’s Caleb Cornelius (2022/high jump), Londyn Little (2023/200-meter dash), Steven Potter (2021/800-meter run and 1,500-meter run; 2022/800-meter run and 1,500-meter run), and Eli Tranel (2023/pole vault); UW-Platteville’s Justin Eichler (2022/hammer throw; 2023/hammer throw); UW-River Falls’ Isaiah O’Connor (2023/long jump); UW-Stout’s Kaden Martin (2022/110-meter hurdles; 2023/110-meter hurdles); and UW-Whitewater’s Josh Krystosek (2021/high jump), Christian Patzka (2022/3,000-meter steeplechase; 2023/3,000-meter steeplechase) and Gunner Schlender (2023/5,000-meter run). At the 2023 championship, Ekoue was tabbed the Field Performer of the Meet, while Patzka claimed Track Perfomer of the Meet recognition. In 2022, Blaskowski received Track Performer of the Meet accolades. Returning Newcomers of the Year include: Patzka (2021); Blaskowski (2022); and Doornink (2023). Individuals that have claimed first-place relay medals at previous championships include: UW-Eau Claire’s Colin McClowry (2022/4x400-meter relay), Sam Schreiber (2022/4x400-meter relay), and Josiah Ziebell (2022/4x400-meter relay); UW-La Crosse’s Tyler Backes (2023/4x400-meter relay), Chase Doornink (2023/4x400-meter relay), Addison Hill (2023/4x400-meter relay), Caden Pearce (2023/4x400-meter relay), and Spencer Reichart (2021/4x100-meter relay); and UW-Oshkosh’s Brett Clavijo (2023/4x100-meter relay), Joey Kean (2022/4x100-meter relay; 2023/4x100-meter relay), and Londyn Little (2023/4x100-meter relay). UW-Stevens Point’s Braedon Gilles (800-meter run), Derek Penzkover (1,500-meter run), Cade Ravenscroft (javelin) and Austin Rennhack (shot put) rank in the top-five of their respective events on this year’s WIAC Honor Roll. # # # # #