ROCHESTER – The Milwaukee track & field program recorded a trio of top three finishes on day one of the Horizon League Outdoor Track & Field Championships, hosted by Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan.
 
"Day one went extremely well for both genders," head coach Andrew Basler said. "We picked up more points than projected in women's discus and women's javelin. We had five seniors in those two throwing events who stepped up and delivered for their team. Jeremiah Johnson also had a great day in the discus ring with a big throw on his second attempt."
 
Cynthia Hernandez grabbed the first Milwaukee spot on a podium, finishing third in the discus with a throw of 42.40m (139'1"). Johnson also finished third in the discus, his podium coming from a throw of 48.59m (159'5").
 
Milwaukee's third podium came from Olivia Busch in the javelin throw, as she finished third with a throw of 36.06m (118'3"). Ari Miller also scored in the event, earning sixth with a distance of 34.78m (114'1").
 
Tabitha Wechlo and Samantha Satterfield both earned points for the Panthers in the discus, placing sixth and seventh with throws of 40.58m (133'1") and 40.40m (132'6").
 
Three Panthers scored in the men's javelin throw, led by Liam Richards in fourth with a distance of 50.41m (165'4"). Tony Bretall and Jack Misky placed sixth and eighth with throws of 49.15m (161'3") and 46.16m (151'5"). Misky also finished sixth in the discus with a throw of 46.15m (151'5").
 
Richards picked up right where he left off at the indoor championships, as he leads the field in the decathlon after the first five events. He recorded wins in the heptathlon 100m, 400m, and long jump. Misky and Bretall sit in second and third, winning one event each so far.
 
Anna Szepieniec leads the field in the heptathlon after the first four events with a score of 2969. She recorded wins in the heptathlon 100m hurdles with a time of 14.34 seconds, and the heptathlon 200m with a time of 25.69.
 
"On the women's side, our heptathletes had a strong day one," Basler commented. "They have put themselves in a position to finish in four scoring places. On the men's side, our decathletes are holding down the top three spots after day one, and all three of them also scored in the men's open javelin to pick up some points for the team."
 
In the men's 1500m prelims, Carter Eckhoff turned in a time of 3:54.12, qualifying for Sunday's final heat. On the women's side, both Cailin Kinas and Anelise Egge qualified, recording times of 4:39.89 and 4:43.27.
 
After today's events, the women are in second place with 20 points, behind only Youngstown State at 23. The men sit in fourth with 18 points. Purdue Fort Wayne and Youngstown State lead with 31 each.
 
Tomorrow's events start at 9:00 AM with the remainder of the decathlon and heptathlon heats. The first two non-multi events, the women's shot put and long jump, begin at 11:00 AM.