MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee men's and women's track & field programs were each slated second in the Horizon League Indoor Track & Field Preseason Poll, the league office announced Wednesday.
 
MEN PICKED SECOND
 
Milwaukee earned 57 points, including one first-place vote, in the 2025 Under Armour Indoor Preseason Poll, placing the Panthers just behind Youngstown State (63 points).
 
The Panthers return a deep and accomplished roster highlighted by Anthony Buford, the reigning Indoor and Outdoor Horizon League Freshman of the Year. Buford is coming off a standout rookie season that included a conference title in the Outdoor Long Jump.
 
Also back for the Black & Gold is Liam Richards, who delivered an impressive sophomore campaign by sweeping the 2025 Horizon League titles in both the Outdoor Decathlon and the Indoor Heptathlon. Richards aims to carry that momentum into his junior season.
 
Milwaukee's jumps group remains strong with Bishop Bufford, a consistent contributor who captured the 2025 Horizon League Indoor Triple Jump Championship and continues to be a key piece of the Panthers' success.
 
2025-26 Under Armour Men's Indoor #HLTF Preseason Poll
Pl.        Team (First-place votes) – Pts.
1.          Youngstown State (7) – 63
2.          Milwaukee (1) – 57 
3.          Oakland – 45
4.          Purdue Fort Wayne – 42 
5.          Detroit Mercy – 29 
6.          Northern Kentucky – 23 
7.          IU Indianapolis – 19
8.         Wright State – 10
 
WOMEN TABBED SECOND
 
The Milwaukee women's team earned 90 points in the 2025 Horizon League Indoor Preseason Poll, including two first-place votes. The Panthers enter the season ranked just behind Youngstown State, which topped the poll with 98 points and eight first-place selections.
 
Milwaukee is led by Natalie Block, who is coming off a historic year. Block became an NCAA National Qualifier and secured Second Team All-America honors in the 400m hurdles making her Milwaukee's first All-American since moving up to Division 1 in 1990. She also swept the 2025 Horizon League titles in both the 100m and 400m hurdles, cementing herself as one of the league's premier athletes.
 
The Panthers also return Anna Szepieniec, who delivered a dominant campaign across multiple events. She captured conference crowns in the Indoor Pentathlon and Outdoor Heptathlon (both performances that now stand as school records) and earned 2025 Horizon League Outdoor Field Performer of the Meet recognition.
 
Rounding out Milwaukee's veteran star power is Anelise Egge, owner of the program records in the Outdoor 1500m and 5000m. Egge added another championship to her resume last season by winning the Horizon League Indoor Mile and was honored as the 2025 Horizon League Indoor Track & Field Outstanding Running Performer.
 
2025-26 Under Armour Women's Indoor #HLTF Preseason Poll
Pl.        Team (First-place votes) – Pts.
1.         Youngstown State (8) – 98 
2.         Milwaukee (2) – 90 
3.         Purdue Fort Wayne – 76 
4.         Oakland – 75
5.         RMU – 57 
6.         Northern Kentucky – 49 
7.         IU Indianapolis – 31
8.         Detroit Mercy – 27 
9.         Wright State – 24 
10.       Cleveland State – 23