UW-L Wins Esten Challenge; Six Athletes Capture Events; Riley Takes Shot Put and Discus

For Immediate Release: Friday, April 17, 2009

Winona, Minn. - The UW-La Crosse men's track & field team captured the Phil Esten Challenge Friday night at St. Mary's University. The Eagles finished with 256.5 team points while UW-Eau Claire was second with 145.5 and UW-Stout third with 127.5. UW-River Falls placed fourth (114) followed by St. Mary's (20), the University of Minnesota (11) and the Wisconsin Track Club (2).

Six student-athletes earned individual titles Friday for UW-L, including Bobby Riley who won the shot put (58-4 3/4) and discus throw (177-0). He automatically qualified for the NCAA III Championships with his winning marks.

Dave Stauder took the high jump (6-4 1/4) for the Eagles.

On the track, Matt Gordy won the 200-meter dash (21.94); Ryan Mendez the 800-meter run (1:55.96); Dallas Vincent the 1,500-meter run (3:52.87) and Brad Peterson the 400-meter hurdles (53.40). Vincent and Peterson both met provisional national qualifying status with their performances.

Other top finishers in the field events included Clark Lundquist placing second in the high jump (6-2 1/4) and long jump (21-2) while Jason Prochnow was second (15-3 3/4) and Jeremiah Burish tied for fifth (14-4) in the pole vault.

Luke Crowley was third in the discus throw (150-9) and fourth in the shot put (47-4 1/2) while teammate Bill Warren was fourth in the discus (149-11). In the javelin throw, Nick Murray placed second (142-5) and Ross Von Glahn fourth (130-5). Andy Novak competed in the shot put prelims and provisionally qualified for the NCAA III Championships (52-6 1/2).

On the track, Gordy was third (10.86) and Zach Lee tied for fourth (10.91) in the 100-meter dash while Alex Rooker was third in the 200-meter dash (22.02). Gordy provisionally qualified for the outdoor national meet in Friday's 100-meter dash preliminaries (10.78). Mitch Wilson placed second in the 800-meter run (1:56.08) and Zach Wilhemly was second in the 1,500-meter run (3:55.56).

Scott Spexarth finished third (15.25) and Pat Bryan fourth (15.48) in the 110-meter hurdles while Michael Marchese was second in the 400-meter hurdles (56.40) and Broc Vike fourth in the 3,000-meter steeplechase (10:05.73).

UW-L's 4x100-meter relay finished second (41.59) and the 4x400-meter relay was third (3:29.02). The 4x100-meter relay provisionally qualified for the NCAA III Championshps.

For complete results, click here.

UW-L returns to action Thursday, April 23 at the Gina Relays in Hillsdale, Michigan and at the Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa.