MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee Track & Field teams will open the outdoor portion of their seasons this week with athletes competing in NC State's Raleigh Relays Mar. 26-28 and in Illinois State's Joyce Morton-Kief Invitational Mar. 27-28.
 
The meet in Raleigh, N.C., will kick off with the field events at 8:30 a.m. CT on Thursday at the Dail Track Complex, while the competition in Normal, Ill., will begin with the hammer throw at 2:00 p.m. CT on Friday at the Redbird Track.
 
INDOOR HIGHLIGHTS
 
Anna Szepieniec looks to build off an impressive indoor campaign. The 2026 Alfreeda Goff Women's Indoor Track & Field Athlete of the Year claimed three titles at the Horizon League Indoor Championships, winning the pentathlon, long jump, and triple jump. She was honored as the Women's Championship Outstanding Performer – Field for her performance over the two-day affair.
 
Dominating the high jump all season long was Olivia VanZeeland, who claimed the title at the Horizon League Championships when she cleared a season-best 1.73 meters. The senior won the event four times this year and finished either first or second in each of her eight outings.
 
At the Horizon League Indoor Championships, the Women's Field Freshman of the Year award went to Nevia Levenhagen. She finished second in the long jump with her 5.85-meter effort, and sixth in the triple jump, leaping 11.39 meters. She currently ranks second in the Panther record books in the long jump after clearing 6.18 meters at DePaul's Blue Demon Alumni Classic.
 
For the men, the team of Karsten Grundahl, Matt Scardina, Zac Schmidt, and Ty Bauschelt won the 4x400-meter relay at the Championships, recording the fourth-fastest time in program history (3:15.65).
 
Bauschelt also shined in the 400-meter dash, winning the event with a 47.77 outing. His time ranks fourth in Panther program history. Bauschelt scored key points for Milwaukee in two additional events, clearing 2.00 meters in the high jump for a fourth-place finish, and crossing the line seventh in the 200-meter finals (22.56).
 
Josh Cygan brought home the weight throw title in thrilling fashion, tossing a career-best 17.83 meters in his final throw of the event. His mark ranks fourth in the program record books for the event.
 
LAST YEAR'S OUTDOOR ACTION
 
The 2025 Milwaukee outdoor season was highlighted by an incredible campaign from Natalie Block. She became the first female in Panther history to be on an All-American team (Second Team All-American). Block was a 2025 NCAA qualifier in the 400-meter hurdles, and an NCAA West Regional qualifier and Horizon League Champion in the 100-meter and 400-meter hurdles.
 
Also shining in the outdoor portion of the season a year ago was VanZeeland who won the Horizon League title in the high jump, clearing 1.75 meters. On Apr. 17, 2025, she jumped 1.80 meters, setting a new program record in the event and qualifying for the NCAA West Regional Preliminary Rounds.
 
On the men's side, Liam Richards took home the Horizon League Decathlon title. He finished first in seven events, earning 7038 points. He also competed in the finals of the 110-meter hurdles, pole vault, and javelin at the championship meet.
 
Anthony Buford and Cygan secured individual titles for the Black & Gold as well, with Buford winning the long jump (7.39 meters), and Cygan winning the discus throw (51.03 meters).
 
UP NEXT

The Panthers will compete at the Ashton May Invitational hosted by UW-La Crosse Friday, Apr. 3, in La Crosse, Wis. The meet will be held at Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex.