Panthers Take First At Billikin Kickoff

Milwaukee shows off depth at opening meet

St. Louis – The Milwaukee men's track and field team won five events in the final day of action Saturday to win the Billiken Kickoff at the Medical Center Stadium.

UWM showed off its depth in numerous events and cruised to a team win with 210.5 points, with host St. Louis taking second at 164 and Valparaiso third at 126.5.

"This is an excellent start to the season," Milwaukee head coach Pete Corfeld said. "The highlight for the team is obviously Kamry's school record (in women's shot put). To open up the season with a school record is pretty amazing. We've done well at this meet in the past and it's good to see the team come out and confirm and raise the level of our expectations.

"What will be important now is that we keep this going and not sit back. It's one of those things that you have to stay at it, because it's not a long season. This is a team full of competitors and I know they'll keep working and do something with this great start."

Milwaukee burst out of the gates, taking the top-five, and seven of the top-10 spots in the 200m. Marquis Johnson claimed the win in 21.43, breaking his own meet record from one year ago, while sophomore Kyle Becker was second in 21.86. Davontae Johnson (21.90), Nate Pozolinski (22.14) and Weston Guilfoyle (22.38) rounded out the top five, while Aaron Parks took seventh in 22.62 and Will Sutton was 10^th in 22.74.

It was the same top-three in the 400m with M. Johnson once again claiming the win with an impressive season-opening time of 48.21. Becker again took second in 49.86 and D. Johnson was third in 50.04 as Milwaukee once again dominated an event.

In the 100m, Guilfoyle posted a PR time of 10.91 for a runner-up finish, while Parks was close behind at 11.04 for fifth.

The Panthers also swept the hurdle events on the day. Pozolinski took the top spot in the 110m hurdles in 14.24, with senior Shawn Bohler right behind at 15.27 for second. Bohler later grabbed a win of his own in the 400m hurdles with the top time of 54.95. Taylor Koss came in second in 55.65 and Ryan Vinhal was fourth at 58.51.

A trio of freshmen shined for Milwaukee in pole vault in the outdoor opener. Nate Scherer and Noah Meeteer tied for third after both clearing 4.21m (13-9 ¾), while classmate Garrett Worman took seventh with a height of 4.06m (13-3 ¾).

Senior Alex Butovskiy added a third-place finish for his team in high jump after clearing 1.91m (6-3 ¼).

Freshman Scott Hietpas also took third for UWM on the day after a leap of 13.12m (43-0 ½) in triple jump.

The Panther throwers had a strong day across the board. Newcomer Peter Andrew added his name to the record book in his first outdoor meet after a toss of 15.24m (50-0) in shot put for second overall. That mark now stands 10^th in school history. Marcus Matsche also did well, taking fifth at 13.76m (45-1 ¾).

Matsche led the team in discus with a distance of 45.08m (147-11), while classmate Miles Kilpin was right behind at 44.67m (146-7) for fifth.

Pulling double duty, senior Tony Sustachek was solid for the Black & Gold in both middle distance events on the day. Sustachek took seventh in the 1500m in 4:00.43 before a 13^th-place finish in the 800m in 2:01.53.

The Panthers return to action next week with the Edmunds Invitational in Rensselaer, Ind. on Saturday.

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Players Mentioned

Kyle Becker: Sophomore; Sprints

Shawn Bohler: Senior; Jumps/Hurdles

Alex Butovskiy: Senior; Jumps

Weston Guilfoyle: Sophomore; Sprints

Davontae Johnson: Senior; Sprints

Marquis Johnson: Senior; Sprints

Taylor Koss: Junior; Hurdles

Nate Pozolinski: Junior; Hurdles/Jumps

Tony Sustachek: Senior; Middle Distance

Will Sutton: Sophomore; Sprints/Jumps

Players Mentioned

Kyle Becker
: Sophomore; Sprints

Shawn Bohler
: Senior; Jumps/Hurdles

Alex Butovskiy
: Senior; Jumps

Weston Guilfoyle
: Sophomore; Sprints

Davontae Johnson
: Senior; Sprints

Marquis Johnson
: Senior; Sprints

Taylor Koss
: Junior; Hurdles

Nate Pozolinski
: Junior; Hurdles/Jumps

Tony Sustachek
: Senior; Middle Distance

Will Sutton
: Sophomore; Sprints/Jumps