FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Led by a second-place finish by the distance medley relay, the University of Wisconsin men’s track and field team tied for 23rd at the NCAA Indoor Championships with eight points. The finish is the highest for UW since 1998, when it also placed 23rd.

Wisconsin tied Minnesota and Michigan State for the highest finish among Big Ten teams.

The UW relay squad of Isaiah Festa, Jabari Pride, Dan Murray and Josh Spiker combined to run another UW record of 9:32.31. They broke their own mark of 9:32.32, set just last weekend. The Badgers’ finish was the highest for a UW relay since the 1985 distance medley relay won the national title.

Spiker got the baton in second place and held off several challengers but couldn’t hold off Villanova’s anchor, Adrian Blincoe, who also won the 3000 meters Saturday. Villanova won the race in 9:31.00.

“It was awesome,” said Spiker. “I was just really excited about this and wanted to run a good race.”

All four members of the relay earned their first all-America honors in track.

Junior Adam Wallace finished 13th in the 5000 meters in 14:19.07. His time was well off his personal best of 13:58.18, run earlier this season. Alistair Cragg of Arkansas won the event in 13:49.80.

Junior Jon Mungen failed to qualify for the finals of the 60-meter hurdles despite finishing second in his heat. Mungen crossed in 7.89 for the 10th-fastest time. The top eight qualified for the final.

Redshirt freshman Matt Tegenkamp did not compete in the 3000 meters as he was bothered by sore hip flexors.

The Badgers open their outdoor season in two weeks at the Alabama Relays March 22-24 in Tuscaloosa, Ala.