TERRE HAUTE – The Milwaukee track & field program competed today at the opening day of the Gibson Invitational in Terre Haute, Indiana, with the first heptathlon and decathlon events taking place. Anna Szepieniec and Liam Richards lead the way for the Panthers after day one, as Szepieniec sits in second place through four heptathlon events and Richards sits fourth in a closely contested decathlon after five events.
 
"Overall, I think we accomplished what we wanted to accomplish," head coach Andrew Basler said. "We're trying to be more strategic with the amount of reps and volume since we're just two weeks out from conference. We don't want them to overdo it and not have a chance to recover."
 
Szepieniec currently has 2926 points, just 72 behind the leader, and has placed top seven in every event so far. Kallie Volk and Kortnie Volk are sitting at fourth and fifth after the first day, as Kortnie secured Milwaukee's only event win of the day in the heptathlon shot put with a throw of 11.52m (37'9.5").
 
Richards has accrued 3471 points through his five events, just 89 out of first place. He has finished in the top nine competitors in each event, highlighted by second-place finishes in the 100m dash and the long jump. Tony Bretall is the next highest Panther, sitting in ninth with 3061 points.
 
"Heading into day two tomorrow, I think we're in a good spot," Basler continued. "They'll be able to get into some different events and accomplish even more of what we're looking for."
 
The Panthers will continue the Gibson Invitational tomorrow morning, as the men's decathlon 110m hurdles is scheduled to open things up at 8:30 AM. Events will continue throughout the day, wrapping up with the men's 5000m race at 6:05 PM.