The University of Whitewater-Wisconsin picked up another national championship and multiple All-Americans on the second day of the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships. It was also a historic day for the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, with the top four teams on the Men's side all being from the WIAC. This marks the first time a single conference has swept the top four spots at a national meet in any division.
Shelvin Garrett II (Beloit, Wis./Memorial) became the 2024 National Champion in the Men's Triple Jump, with over a 0.5m length standing between him and second place. Garrett II held first after his fourth jump of 15.47m, a personal best at the time. But on his final jump of the day, Garrett II leaped 15.97m, setting a new personal best, a new Warhawk record, a facility record, and giving him a National Champion Title.
Tina Shelton (Janesville, Wis./Parker) also added two All-American honors, in the Women's 60m Dash and Women's 200m Dash. In the 60m, Shelton timed in at 7.59 seconds, placing third overall in the event. Later on in the 200m, she timed in at 24.54 seconds, placing fifth and earning her second All-American honors of the event.
In the Men's 3000m Run, two Warhawks placed in the Top 5, with the last 1000m being critical to the Warhawk runners success.
Christian Patzka (Black Earth, Wis./Wisconsin Heights) and
Gunner Schlender (Brillion, Wis./Brillion) after the first 2000k meters, Patzka and Schlender were towards the back of the pack, in 16th & 15th respectively. Over the last 1000k, they both moved their way towards the top, trusting their timings and conserving their strength for a final push. Patzka finished 2nd overall, with Schlender not far behind at 4th place. In the final 200m, Patzka jumped up six places for his second place finish in the event.
Overall, the Warhawk Men finished fourth overall with 37 points, ahead of them in the standings was UW-La Crosse (1st-74 points), UW-Eau Claire (2nd-52 points), & UW-Oshkosh (3rd-51 points). The top four teams in the Nation were all from the WIAC, it will be the first time a conference has swept the top four spots at a national meet in any division.
On the women's side, the Warhawks placed 20th overall with 10 points.
The Warhawk Men's and Women's track & field teams will begin preparing for their outdoor season, with the first meet taking place March 29th at North Central College for the Garmarosso Classic.
