The Milwaukee Panthers women’s track and field team competed on April 18 in two separate meets: the third day of the Gibson Invitational, hosted by Indiana State, and the Warrior Invitational, hosted by Wisconsin Lutheran.
These competitions are significant as they reflect the team’s continued efforts in both indoor and outdoor events throughout their season, according to the official website. The Panthers participate in NCAA Division I athletics as part of the Horizon League and represent the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s athletic legacy.
At the Gibson Invitational, Anna Szepieniec won the long jump with a leap of 6.09 meters, while Nevia Levenhagen placed second with a personal outdoor best of 5.85 meters. Olivia VanZeeland secured her third consecutive high jump victory by clearing 1.70 meters; Macy Woodward matched that height for a career-best performance tied for seventh in program history. The relay team consisting of Katie Burns, Victoria Evtimov, Angelica Refinski, and Isabel Roloff finished first in the 4×100-meter relay with a time of 46.51 seconds.
Burns also ran a career-best time in the 200-meter dash (24.38), ranking sixth all-time for Milwaukee, and took third place in the 400-meter run (55.12). In other events at Gibson Invitational, Rachel Helm finished third in the 1500-meter run (4:40.96), Victoria Spagnola set a personal record to finish eighth in the 100-meter hurdles (14.37), while three Panthers cleared heights over three meters in pole vault competition.
At Warrior Invitational, Lilly Wepking advanced to finals after running one of top preliminary times in the 100-meter dash (12.46). Adaline Powell won her first long jump event outdoors this season with a mark of 5.31 meters; she also placed third in shot put behind Claudia Conner’s runner-up effort (11.04 meters). Conner recorded another personal best finishing third place in hammer throw at 41.34 meters.
The Panthers operate out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin according to their official website and support student-athletes balancing academic responsibilities alongside athletics participation as noted on their official page as well.
Looking ahead, select athletes will travel to Louisville’s Jim Freeman/Clark Wood Open from April 24-25 while others will compete at Whitewater’s Drake Alternative meet on April 24.
