Milwaukee City Wire

The Milwaukee track and field teams commenced their participation in the Duke Invitational and Marquette Invitational on Thursday.

In Durham, at the Duke Invitational, Liam Richards emerged as a leading contender after the first five events of the decathlon, amassing 3,782 points and claiming victories in the 100m dash, 400m dash, long jump, and high jump. Richards also secured fourth place in the shot put event. "Our multis at Duke had a great day," expressed head coach Andrew Basler. He added, "Liam had a big personal-best time in the 100m dash and should be able to eclipse 7,000 points."

Teammates Anna Szepieniec and Kallie Volk were also present at the Duke Invitational, partaking in the initial four events of the heptathlon. Volk led her group with 2,997 points, excelling in the high jump. Volk placed second in the 200m dash and fifth in the 100m hurdles, and sixth in the shot put. Szepieniec attained ninth place with 3,082 points, notably achieving fifth place in the 100m hurdles and 200m dash. "Both Anna and Kallie are off to great starts and on pace to break the school heptathlon record," commented Basler. The decathlon and heptathlon are set to conclude the following day, with the decathlon commencing in the afternoon and the heptathlon shortly after.

Meanwhile, at the Marquette Invitational in Wauwatosa, events began in the afternoon with highlights in the javelin and hammer throw. Jeremiah Johnson excelled in the hammer throw with a leading distance of 48.45m. Jack Misky achieved third in the javelin while Jane Kautz and Mercedes Herrera stood out in the women's javelin, securing fourth and fifth, respectively. Herrera also participated in the hammer throw, finishing fifth. "It was nice seeing Jeremiah get the victory in the hammer throw," Basler remarked. He continued, "Mercedes threw in the javelin for the first time and showed real promise in the event."

The Marquette Invitational will conclude with field events and running events scheduled sequentially the next day.