CHAMPAIGN – The Milwaukee men's track & field team competed today at the Illini Open hosted by the University of Illinois, winning three events and earning multiple podium spots on the day.
 
"The first competition after time away during the holidays will always have a mixed bag of performances," head coach Andrew Basler said. "This year we competed a week earlier than previous Januarys which added another layer of unknown."
 
"However, I saw a lot of persevering today when the start of an event or a race didn't go as smoothly," Basler continued. "It was good for those competing to break off some of the rust that formed during the start of winter break."
 
Lucas Picco took the top spot in the 800m run, winning with a time of 1:59.69. Picco was followed closely behind by fellow frosh Harper Fahey, who crossed the line with a time of 1:59.78. Dylan Longworth and Gavin Czarnecki rounded out the Milwaukee sweep of the top four, finishing third and fourth, respectively.
 
Aidan Sodemann was victorious in the 1 mile run, recording a time of 4:27.69. Not far behind him was Sam Schreiber, who finished in third with a time of 4:30.47.
 
Will Mortimer won the triple jump by nearly a full foot, leaping 14.04m for first place. Bishop Bufford joined Mortimer on the podium with a mark of 13.62m, good enough for third place.
 
Anthony Campbell managed a second-place finish in the long jump, recording a mark of 7.40m. Just 0.11m behind his collegiate best, which currently ranks second all-time for Milwaukee, Campbell's jump would have put him at third on the leaderboard. 
 
Evan Bartelsen also earned a podium spot for the Panthers, placing third in the pole vault. The junior cleared 4.58m on his first attempt.
 
The Panthers are back in action next weekend at The Badgers Midwest Invite hosted by Wisconsin in Chicago. The meet is scheduled for a late morning start on Saturday, January 13^th