YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Milwaukee track & field team competed in day two of the Horizon League Indoor Championships hosted by Youngstown State Sunday.
 
At the end of championship action, the women finished runner-up (123 points), trailing only Youngstown State (165 points).
 
"Heading into these championships, our women were dead even with Youngstown State based on entries," said head coach Andrew Basler. "Day one had some hiccups, but we went into day two with great energy and resiliency. It boiled down to lack of scoring opportunities in the finals. They had 10 finalists in the 800m and down, while we only had five. Track is a numbers game, and the ladies just didn't have the depth on Sunday to pull it out.
 
After the conclusion of the two-day affair, Anna Szepieniec was honored as the Women's Championship Outstanding Performer – Field, while Nevia Levenhagen received the Women's Field Freshman of the Year award.
 
Szepieniec built on her day-one success, turning in the top effort in the triple jump with her 12.04-meter clearance. Three other members of the Black & Gold secured spots in the top-10 of the event, with Kallie Volk securing third (11.65 meters), Levenhagen sixth (11.39 meters), and Adaline Powell seventh (11.32 meters).
 
In the high jump, Olivia VanZeeland earned the championship title after jumping 1.73 meters. Volk and Alexandria Simmons tied for fourth, clearing 1.62 meters.
 
The unit of Victoria Evtimov, Taylor Thimmesch, Katie Burns, and Leah Handshoe crossed the line third in the 4x400-meter relay, besting their own school record. The team recorded a time of 3:48.01.
 
Burns was not done there, securing points for the Black & Gold in both the 400-meter and 200-meter. She finished fifth in the 400-meter (55.92) and seventh in the 200-meter (24.95).
 
Szepieniec and Victoria Spagnola battled in the 60-meter hurdles, crossing the line second (8.49) and sixth (8.83).
 
Rachel Helm nabbed points in two events for the Panthers. She finished seventh in the mile (5:02.00), and fourth in the 800-meter (2:13.55).
 
Mercedes Herrera and Claudia Conner competed in the shot put for the Panthers, throwing 11.70 meters and 11.38 meters, respectively.
 
In the 3000-meter run, Isabella Switalski was the top Milwaukee finisher, crossing the line in 10:45.57.
 
"I spoke to the teams afterwards about the importance of details and what it truly means to be united as a team and fully support the cause," added Basler. "With that said, I'm very proud of the efforts put forth this weekend and the support the team showed for each other."
 
Basler concluded by saying, "I'd like to thank all my assistant coaches… Coaches Hatch, Schultz, Schmidt, Johnson, Howard, and Rogalski. They do an amazing job pouring into our team. I'd also like to thank our support staff of athletic trainers who work to make sure our athletes are staying healthy."