YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Milwaukee women's track & field team was back to compete at day two of the Horizon League Championships Saturday. Anna Szepieniec had a huge day, wrapping up league titles in the heptathlon and long jump.
 
In the heptathlon, Szepieniec pulled in 5,226 points to break both the program and league championship meet records. The total takes down the previous records both set by Shelby Schaal back in 2013 at 5,084 points. Szepieniec was facing a slight deficit heading into the final portion event, closing with a first-place performance in the 800m run of 2:21.90 to surge to the victory.
 
"Anna had an amazing day," said head coach Andrew Basler. "Starting with a huge personal best and championship in the heptathlon, then claiming the long jump, and finishing it off by advancing to the 100m hurdles finals."
 
The long jump was dominated by the Panthers, led by Szepieniec's championship leap of 5.80m. Morgan Pilate added a runner-up finish at 5.74m, and Kallie Volk placed fourth with a distance of 5.66m.
 
Volk also had a fantastic showing in the heptathlon, racking up the second most points in school history with 5,116 to finish third place. Her best performance came in the javelin portion where she took the top spot with a career-best 36.99m.
 
"Kallie had an equally impressive day today, getting her own huge career best in the heptathlon," Basler added. "She also did a great job doubling back to nail a lifetime best in the long jump."
 
Natalie Block broke her own meet record in the 100m hurdles, crossing the finish line in a season-best 13.21 to earn the best time in the preliminary round. Block will be joined in tomorrow's finals by Szepieniec who posted a time of 14.19.
 
Block also paced the field in the prelims of the 400m hurdles, coming around in a season-best 57.71. Leah Handshoe also punched her ticket to the finals with her best run of the season at 1:02.13.
 
"Natalie is coming into form at the right time, her 100m hurdles time sending her to the first round of nationals," Basler went on. "Leah also ran a very solid race to get her through to the finals."
 
Securing spots in tomorrow's finals in both the 200m dash and 400m dash was Katie Burns. She started her day in the 400 with the third-best prelim time at 55.84, and followed it up by finishing the 200 in 24.83.
 
"Katie did a great job getting herself to the finals in both races, and has set herself up for a special final day." Basler continued.
 
Hailey Soriaga cleared 3.51m in the pole vault, finishing in fourth place on the day.
 
The top performer in the 3000m steeplechase was Cailin Kinas, coming in fifth with a time of 10:54.12.
 
As a team, Milwaukee sits in second place after two days with 56 points.
 
"Day two was a big day for us," Basler finished saying. "Our women definitely closed the gap, tomorrow will be an exciting day as we battle for a title."
 
The Panthers will return tomorrow for the third and final of the action at Farmers National Bank Field in Youngstown, Ohio. Field events held tomorrow will be the hammer throw, high jump, triple jump, and men's pole vault starting at 9:00 a.m. (CT). Running events will begin at 11:00 a.m. (CT), and will be broadcast live on ESPN+ beginning at 10:55 a.m. (CT).