By Jordan Schelling

Although they participate in events that are quite dissimilar, the throwers and runners on the Wisconsin track and field team have a great relationship with one another. As throwers on the Wisconsin women's track team, Amanda Hoeppner and Kayla Schultz do more than just participate in their events — they participate in good-natured ribbing of their more mobile counterparts.

"It is mainly a joking relationship, but it is also one of great respect because we can't do what they can do and they can't do what we can do," Hoeppner said.

Even with their close relationship, there of course are some distinct differences between the two groups.

"They run — a lot," Schultz said jokingly.

However, once a meet begins and Hoeppner and Schultz step into the ring, the two cease to be jokesters and become two of the best throwers in the Big Ten Conference.

Amanda Hoeppner, a sophomore from Lake Mills, is an art education major and she has a younger sister, Jaimi, who soon too may become a thrower for the Badgers. Kayla Schultz is a junior from Clinton, majoring in social work.

As a senior in high school, Schultz was state champion in shot put and discus after being runner-up in both as a junior.

In last year's Big Ten Outdoor Championships, Hoeppner and Schultz both finished in the top ten in the discus and the top 15 in the shot put. Moreover, Schultz won the shot put at the Badger Classic in 2005 and 2006 and finished second in this year's event.

Perhaps most impressive has been Amanda's performance this season in the weight throw. She has improved her personal best twice with throws of 56-0 and 56-2. At 56-2, Hoeppner holds the second-best throw in Badger women's history behind Cortney Bauer's record of 57-2 3/4.

It appears to be only a matter of time before she breaks Bauer's record since she has thrown for over 60 feet in an intrasquad meet.

While an obvious goal for both would be to reach the NCAA Championships, Hoeppner and Schultz insist their main goal is a much smaller one. That is, to perform well in both the indoor and outdoor Big Ten Championships.

"[My goal is] to score in the Big Tens," Hoeppner said. "I've always wanted to do that, and I haven't yet."

The Big Ten meet this weekend is a very important one for both athletes and for the team as a whole.

"I'm very excited," Schultz said. "It should be fun."

Furthermore, coach Will Wabaunsee was very clear about the goal for this weekend.

"The goal on the weekend is to be in the top four," Wabaunsee said. "If they do their part, we can score more points than we ever have before."

Regardless of the results this weekend, Coach Wabaunsee holds high expectations for Schultz.

"I think Kayla is going to be a national qualifier this year outdoors and top four in the Big Ten indoors," Wabaunsee said.

Although it will have to wait until March, April and May, Coach Wabaunsee also commented that Schultz's discus is going "like gangbusters" right now.

While many people may see throwing events as very easy and simple, it is a lot more difficult than it appears.

"It's actually really technical and really hard to do," Schultz said. "It takes about three seconds, but there is a lot in that three seconds."

With something so technical, it certainly is important to have a good coach to help make sure you are doing everything right. As far as the Wisconsin track coaches are concerned, they have done a great job in helping athletes like Hoeppner and Schultz develop their skills.

"They're awesome and they put a lot of time and energy into coaching us," Hoeppner said in regard to the coaches.

Coaching them to be throwers, of course — not sprinters — though Hoeppner jokes that she and Schultz could have a career in the running business.

"We're just like the sprinters, and we're just like the long-distance people," Hoeppner said. "We just look different, I think."