YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Milwaukee women's track & field team was in action for day one of the Horizon League Championship meet Friday. Anna Szepieniec leads in the heptathlon after an outstanding first day.
 
Szepieniec has racked up 3,198 points through four events, starting her day taking the top spot in the 100m hurdles portion with the fourth-best time in school history at 13.75. She was back on top in the 200m dash, moving into eighth on the program's all-time leaderboard after crossing the finish line in 24.43.
 
"Really solid first day of the championships," said head coach Andrew Basler. "Anna did a great job putting herself in position to get the win and a personal best."
 
Sitting in third in the heptathlon standings is Kallie Volk, she amassed 3,023 points Friday with a win in the high jump after clearing 1.67m. Volk also competed in the javelin, placing seventh with a career-best throw of 35.49m.
 
"Kallie had a great first day of the heptathlon, but also got a personal best in the javelin to score us some critical points." Added Basler.
 
Mercedes Herrera earned a podium finish for the Panthers in the discus, her toss reaching 40.86m to take third on the day.
 
Milwaukee had three runners qualify for the finals of the 1500m run, Rachel Helm leading the group with the fifth-best time in the preliminary round at 4:38.16. Anelise Egge was next to come in at 4:38.47, followed by Cailin Kinas at 4:39.39. The final round of the event will be run on Saturday.
 
"Mercedes did a great job putting herself in good position early," Basler continued. "Our ladies really showed out in the 1500m being able to get three through to the finals.
 
Anna Gallagher represented the Black & Gold in the 10,000m run coming in 10th with a time of 37:57.60.
 
As a team, the Panthers are tied for seventh place after day one with 8 points.
 
Milwaukee will return tomorrow for day two of the action at Farmers National Bank Field in Youngstown, Ohio beginning with the heptathlon resuming at 8:30 a.m. (CT). Field events held tomorrow will be the shot put, long jump, and women's pole vault starting at 11:00 a.m. (CT). Running events will begin at 3:00 p.m. (CT), and will be broadcast live on ESPN+ beginning at 2:55 p.m. (CT).