The Milwaukee Panthers women’s track and field team competed in two meets on March 28, with athletes participating in the Raleigh Relays in North Carolina and the Joyce Morton-Kief Invitational in Illinois.
These results highlight both individual achievements and the team’s ongoing efforts to build momentum early in the outdoor season. The Panthers compete as part of NCAA Division I athletics, according to the official website.
At the Raleigh Relays, Natalie Block broke her own school record in the 400-meter hurdles, finishing third with a time of 56.27 seconds. “After a strong first two days, our group kept that momentum up heading into today,” head coach Andrew Basler said. “In the 400-meter hurdles, Natalie executed a smooth rep to finish 3rd overall with a lifetime best. All last year we were fighting to dip into the 56’s. For her to be able to open in a low-56 and it feel as effortless as it did for her, that’s a great sign for things to come.” Victoria Spagnola also ran in this event, finishing 39th.
In other events at Raleigh, three Panthers competed in the 200-meter dash: Katie Burns (24.81), Anna Szepieniec (24.92), and Taylor Thimmesch (25.96). In long jump action, Szepieniec placed sixth with a jump of 5.96 meters—just short of her career high—while Nevia Levenhagen finished eleventh and Kallie Volk took twenty-second place.
“Being a Midwest program, there is not a lot of outdoor preparation before competing in the elements for the first time,” Basler said about opening weekend performances.
At Illinois State’s meet, freshman Nolie Anderson won discus with a throw of 44.97 meters—the fifth-best mark ever by a Panther athlete outdoors—and Mercedes Herrera along with Adeline Wind also posted strong throws. “Battling cooler conditions, the team turned out some solid openers at Illinois State,” Basler said. In high jump competition Macy Woodward finished second while Alexandria Simmons was third; several Panthers also cleared heights together in pole vault events.
On track events at Illinois State Angelica Refinski led Milwaukee finishers in both sprints: she was top Panther finisher over 200 meters while Isabel Roloff finished second overall—and top among teammates—in the women’s 100-meter dash.
The Milwaukee Panthers women’s track and field team engages student-athletes throughout indoor and outdoor seasons as part of their academic responsibilities according to their official website (official website). The program operates out of Milwaukee within Wisconsin’s Horizon League conference (official website).
Looking ahead, Basler said that these early-season benchmarks will serve as building blocks: “This first outdoor weekend was a great opportunity to get outside and establish some benchmarks we will build upon throughout the outdoor season.” The next scheduled meet is set for La Crosse at UW-La Crosse’s Ashton May Invite.
