MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee track & field teams swept the Horizon League Indoor Track & Field Athletes of the Week awards after opening the season at the Blue Demon Holiday Invitational. The awards were announced by the league Tuesday afternoon.
 
Lucas Picco and Anna Szepieniec earned Runner of the Week nods, while Anthony Buford and Olivia VanZeeland secured Field Athlete of the Week honors.
 
Picco earned his first track & field weekly honor after finishing first in the 600-meter dash. The junior's time of 1:19.81 was good for the fifth best in the Panther indoor record books.
 
Szepieniec opened her junior campaign with a standout performance, claiming individual victories in the 60-meter hurdles (8.53) and the 200-meter dash (24.68). Her times etched her into the Milwaukee record books, ranking second all-time in the 60-meter hurdles and third all-time in the 200 meters. This weekly honor marks the second of her accomplished Milwaukee career.
 
Buford secured his first weekly Horizon League award after an impressive long jump performance. The reigning Horizon League Indoor Freshman Field Athlete of the Year jumped 7.01m to earn a first-place finish in the event.
 
The Black & Gold also saw an impressive performance from VanZeeland, who cleared 1.72m in the high jump. VanZeeland's effort was good for fourth in the Milwaukee record books for the event.