CHAMPAIGN – The Milwaukee women's track & field team competed today at the Illini Open hosted by the University of Illinois, earning multiple podiums and spots in the Milwaukee record books.
 
"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 January's 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."
 
Natalie Block continued her proficiency in the 60m hurdles, winning the event with an 8.44 mark, just 0.11 seconds off her program-record best. Block was followed by teammates Anna Szepieniec and Aubrie Gorski in second and third. Szepieniec finished in 8.87 seconds, while Gorski finished in 9.39.
 
Anelise Egge topped the field in the 800m run, clocking a time of 2:18.63 to win by 0.04 seconds. Ally Schmitz finished third in the event, recording a time of 2:23.58.
 
Tabitha Wechlo won the shot put with a throw of 14.07m, 0.17m off her current collegiate best which ranks her fourth in Milwaukee history. Today's throw would rank her fifth. Wechlo was joined on the podium by Samantha Satterfield (11.91m) and Claudia Conner (9.13m).
 
Adaline Powell finished first in the triple jump, recording a mark of 11.86m. Powell was joined on the podium by Olivia Busch, who placed third with a mark of 11.18m.
 
In the weight throw, Jamie Pankratz improved on her collegiate best mark to make it 16.33m. The throw was good enough to place sixth in the event and move up to eighth on the Milwaukee leaderboard.
 
"In the field, two of our young lady vaulters started the season off over 12 feet," Basler commented. "Isabel Roloff and Ella Laughbaum looked great and had good looks at 12' 6". On the track, Eileen Tocco ran a strong season opener in the mile as well."
 
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.