MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee women's track & field squad competed at both the Jim Freeman/Clark Wood Open in Louisville, Ky., and the Drake Alternative in Whitewater, Wis., Saturday.
 
"We had a great day at the track with our Louisville and Whitewater groups," said head coach Andrew Basler. "A lot of season and personal bests across all the events, which is exactly what you are looking for two weeks out from conference championship weekend."
 
Jim Freeman/Clark Wood Open
 
"At Louisville, our women's short hurdlers had a solid day," added Basler. "Anna led the way with her personal best time of 13.67. Tori was just off her lifetime best to win her heat. Kallie claimed a PR as well despite hitting the last few hurdles."
 
Anna Szepieniec continued her success from day one, cracking the top-five in the 100-meter hurdles. She crossed the line fifth with a career-best time of 13.67, a mark that ranks third in program history. Victoria Spagnola was the next Panther to cross the finish line, completing the event in 14.38. Kallie Volk chipped in a personal-best effort of 14.65 in the event as well.
 
In the 100-meter dash, Isabel Roloff clocked a time of 12.08 which is tied for 10th in the program record books for the event.
 
Securing 10th-place in the 400-meter run was Katie Burns, who registered a time of 55.59. Taylor Thimmesch also competed in the event, clocking a time of 57.79.
 
Olivia VanZeeland and Macy Woodard both cleared 1.63 meters in the high jump, earning 11th-place.
 
"A highlight in the field events was Emma Johnson in the pole vault," Basler said. "She was taking attempts at a 13' bar which should give her a ton of confidence."
 
In the Division B pole vault, Emma Johnson cleared an outdoor career-best 3.82 meters. Her effort currently ranks tied for fifth in the Panther record books. Hailey Soriaga also competed in Division B, jumping 3.67 meters.
 
Roloff notched a new career-best in the Division C pole vault after clearing 3.67 meters. She finished third in the event, while Ella Laughbaum ended sixth with her 3.52-meter effort.
 
The unit of Burns, Thimmesch, Spagnola, and Brooke Crosby competed in the 4x400-meter relay, clocking a time of 3:53.68.
 
Drake Alternative
 
"In the last event of the evening, Gallagher had a season best in the 5k," said Basler. "Senior Tocco ran a very solid 5k, finishing just behind Anna."
 
Anna Gallagher won the 5000-meter run with her season-best 18:28.41 effort. Eileen Tocco added a runner-up finish with her time of 18:33.13.
 
In the 3000-meter steeplechase, Rylan Oberg took home the title with her 12:17.29 outing.
 
Lilly Wepking shined in the sprint events, finishing fifth in the 100-meter dash finals (12.76) and eighth in the 200-meter dash (26.17) (PR).
 
"Freshman Hedman and Wickus jumped really well in high jump," added coach Basker. "Another freshman, heptathlete Meeteer, had personal bests in the 100m hurdles and the javelin."
 
Chloe Hedman and Lauren Wickus recorded season-best high jump efforts, both clearing 1.60 meters.
 
Wickus ended runner-up in the long jump, clearing 5.18 meters. Adaline Powell was not far behind, finishing third with her 5.16-meter leap. Kara Meeteer cracked the top-5 in the event, jumping 4.91 meters.
 
Securing a runner-up finish in the 800-meter dash was Ally Schmitz, who clocked a season-best time of 2:19.16.
 
Recording a personal-best effort in the pole vault was Tia Brennan, who cleared 3.53 meters to nab second place.
 
Powell added a runner-up finish in the triple jump after turning in a 11.41-meter performance.
 
In the javelin throw, Meeteer ended fifth with her career-best throw of 30.84 meters.
 
"With one weekend of regular season left, we will be looking to fine tune some events leading up to the Horizon League Championships," concluded Basler.
 
UP NEXT
 
The Panthers look ahead to their final meets of the regular season as they compete in Illinois' Gary Wieneke Memorial and Wisconsin's Badger Challenge May 1-2.