Joe Brunner joined the Milwaukee track & field coaching staff in the fall of 2015 and specializes in coaching throws for the Panthers.
In just four seasons with the Panthers, he has already made a big impact. At the Horizon League Championships, Milwaukee has placed on the podium 105 times in the six throwing events between indoor and outdoor over the past four years - including an incredible 31 during last year's campaign. In fact, the Panthers have won nine league titles under Brunner's guidance and finished runner-up nine more times.
Also on his watch, Silas Petrie qualified for the NCAA West Regional in hammer throw and Peter Andrew twice qualified in shot put - the first Panther thrower to advance to back-to-back regionals. Additionally, Panther throwers were named league athletes of the week 16 times since he joined the coaching staff.
The Panther record board has also changed quite a bit since Brunner came to campus, with five top marks already reset since 2015.
It was another memorable year in 2019. Peter Andrew capped a remarkable career with a host of honors. He once again punched his ticket to regionals in shot put after again sweeping the league titles - giving him four straight in that event. Andrew was also named the Outstanding Field Performer after racking up 21 points at the outdoor meet. He finished his career earning Second-Team Academic All-American honors.Â
Sophomore Jake Wendt also brought home league titles in both weight throw and hammer throw as the Panthers loaded up the points with an impressive 31 total podium finishes combined at the indoor and outdoor league meets.
The 2018 season was a banner one for Milwaukee's throwing events. Peter Andrew grabbed most of the headlines by sweeping the indoor and outdoor titles in shot put, breaking both school records along the way. Andrew advanced to regionals, where his outstanding junior season fell just short of a berth to nationals.
Steph Kostowicz also broke her own school record in shot put multiple times over the year despite spending the majority of her time with the Panther basketball team.Â
At the Horizon League Championships, the MKE men racked up 36 points during indoor and 48 points at outdoor, taking the top-two spots in shot put at both championships.
Brunner brings a wealth of experience in throws to Milwaukee. A standout in college at UW-Oshkosh, he earned All-American honors in 35 lb. weight throw.
Additionally, Brunner qualified for nationals three times for the Titans and won a conference title in hammer throw in the highly competitive Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
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