The Wisconsin women’s track and field program has already met some early expectations at the beginning of their season. The Badgers opened the 2005 season in style in mid-January, winning all 15 events at the Badger Track Classic. Several Badger freshmen led the way, with impressive event wins from Lindsey Biel (60-meter hurdles, 1600-meter relay), Nicole Slaby (400 meters) and Kayla Schultz (shot put).
Returning runners Shuntia Lucas, Lisa Oikarinen, Erica Schoeller, Shannon Murto, Linsey Blaisdell and Heidi Lane also won their respective events.
UW also excelled in the field events, with Theresa Giorno, Andrea Lopez, Christina Taylor, Michelle Bellford and Courtney Bauer all adding individual wins.
A week later, the Badgers continued to meet expectations by winning three events at the Wisconsin Elite Invitational. Junior Melissa Talbot claimed the 60-meter hurdles, Murto won the mile, and Bauer won the shot put.
Both track meets were a successful start for the new coaching staff. After legendary head coach Peter Tegen left Wisconsin last summer, the Badgers hired five new coaches.
Head coach Jim Stintzi leads the new coaching staff. A graduate of UW, Stintzi comes to Wisconsin from Michigan State where he was the men’s head cross country coach for the past 20 years and the women’s head cross country coach for the last four years. He also served as an assistant to the men’s and women’s track and field programs during his tenure.
As only the second coach in the history of Wisconsin women’s track and field and cross country programs, Stintzi led the 2004 women’s cross country team to an eighth place finish at the Big Ten championships and qualified sophomore Katrina Rundhaug for the NCAA championships.
Like all coaches, Stintzi has many expectations for his young squad. He wants his athletes to take small steps each meet in preparation for the 2005 Big Ten championships. He also hopes to see the team come together and for a few individuals to qualify for the NCAA championships in March.
Leading the way this season are senior tri-captains Bauer, Blaisdell and Taylor. Stintzi hopes all three can provide leadership and inspiration for the young roster.
Bauer, the UW record holder in the hammer throw, leads the senior class. Last season she finished 15th in the shot put and 15th in the 20-pound weight throw at the Big Ten indoor meet.
Joining Bauer is running star Blaisdell, who finished seventh in the 1500 meters at the Big Ten outdoor championships. She did not compete in indoors last season.
Two other leading returnees for the Badgers are juniors Talbot and Tara Halls. Talbot was last season’s Big Ten indoor champion in the pentathlon and Big Ten outdoor champion in the heptathlon. Halls, a 2003 All-American, finished third in the 600 meters at the 2004 Big Ten indoor championship.
Wisconsin begins its travel schedule next Saturday at the UNI Invitational in Cedar Falls, Iowa. From Iowa, the Badgers are set to compete each week at a different invitational. The Badgers will travel to the Meyo Invitational, Iowa State Classic and the UNI-Dome Open.
These invitationals are in preparation for the Big Ten Indoor Championships in Ann Arbor, Mich. Last year the Badgers finished seventh at the conference meet.
Following the Big Ten Indoor Championships, the Badgers return to Ann Arbor to compete in the Alex Wilson Invitational, their last chance to qualify competitors for the NCAA Indoor Championships.
The NCAA Indoor Championships concludes the indoor season. The national championship will be held March 11-12 in Fayetteville, Ark.
