By Colin McClowry, UWEC Sports Information
LA CROSSE, Wis. (blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire track and field teams were back in La Crosse this weekend for the Phil Esten Challenge. The women's team finished the weekend with 123.5 points and a second place finish while the men finished in fourth with 81 points.
Men's Results | Women's Results
The women had a strong showing in the Heptathlon as Emilee Booker (So. - Genoa City, Wis./Badger) placed second with 4370 points and Emma Gruen (So. - Elroy, Wis./Royall) placed third with 4351 points. Ashley Kachurik (Sr. Wadsworth, Ill./Warren Township) got the win in the women's 3,000m steeplechase with an impressive time of 11:32.12s. High Jumper, Wes Keller (So. Richland Center, Wis.), won the men's High Jump with a leap of 2.04m. This mark will likely qualify Keller for the NCAA National Championships in May. The throws competitions were dominated by the Blugolds as six different Blugolds placed in the top three in throwing events. Yakob Ekoue (Sr. - Hopkins, Minn.) has been piling up impressive performances all season, but perhaps none as impressive as this past weekend. Ekoue won the Shot Put (16.76m), Discus (54.17m), and Hammer Throw (56.65m). This is the first time in his career that Ekoue has won three events in a single meet. Catie Fobbe (Sr. - Annandale, Minn./Maple Lake) also continued her winning ways with an event win in women's Shot Put with a throw of 14.57m.
Top Men's Performances
1st
Wes Keller (So. Richland Center, Wis.): High Jump (2.04m)
Yakob Ekoue (Sr. - Hopkins, Minn.): Shot Put (16.76m) Discus Throw (54.17m) Hammer Throw (56.65m)
2nd
Brandon Roberts (Sr. - Maple Park, Ill/Kaneland): Hammer Throw (53.44m)
3rd
Colin McClowry (So. - Neenah, Wis.): 200m Dash (22.01s)
Top Women's Performances
1st
Ashley Kachurik (Sr. Wadsworth, Ill./Warren Township): 3,000m Steeplechase (11:32.12s)
Catie Fobbe (Sr. - Annandale, Minn./Maple Lake): Shot Put (14.57m)
2nd
Carolyn Shult (Augusta, Wis.): Mile Run (4:37.04s)
Leah Zastrow (Fr. - Spencer, Wis.): Pole Vault (3.62m)
Emilee Booker (So. - Genoa City, Wis./Badger): Heptathlon (4370 pts)
Morgan Jensen (Jr. - Colfax, Wis): Discus Throw (43.52m)
3rd
Molly Kallenbach (So. Hudson, Wis.): 100m Dash (11.37s)
Jaryn Johannsen (Jr. Frazee, Wis): 100m Hurdles (14.81s)
Emma Gruen (So. - Elroy, Wis./Royall): Heptathlon (4351 pts)
Ayden Fleeharty (Sr. - Viola, Wis./Kickapoo): Pole Vault (3.47m)
Teagen Jones (Jr. Lake Zurich, Ill.): Hammer Throw (49.97m)
Evelyn Walker (So. - Madison, Wis./La Follette): Discus Throw (42.68m)
Morgan Jensen (Jr. - Colfax, Wis): Shot Put (12.90m)
Excitement is building among the team as UWEC will host their first track and field meet in over a decade next Friday, April 28th at Simpson Field.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Game Day or on our app, UWEC Blugolds.
