The University of Wisconsin men’s and women’s track teams had excellent performances at the Badger Open this past Saturday, as both teams worked in preparation for the Big Ten Indoor Championships that will take place this weekend.
The Badgers showcased their talent and competed against athletes from UW-La Crosse, North Central, Augustana and Beloit. Wisconsin fared well in the Badger Open, which was highlighted by some outstanding individual efforts by two skilled hurdlers.
On the women’s side, Egle Staisiunaite won the 60-meter hurdles by posting a final time of 8.71 seconds. Staisiunaite, a sophomore from Downers Grove, Ill., remained undefeated at home with her victory in the event this past Saturday. The holder of UW’s fourth fastest time in the 60-meter hurdles, Staisiunaite will look to continue her success and build on her strong performance in the Badger Open.
On the men’s team, standout hurdler Nate Larkin posted another strong performance, winning the 60-meter hurdles for UW. Larkin, a sophomore from Glenn Ellyn, Ill., ran away with the event, leaving his opponents far behind as he crossed the finish line.
“Nate’s last four races have been the best of his life,” men’s head coach Ed Nuttycombe said to UWBadgers.com. “He is hurdling with confidence and he continues to get sharper each week.”
Larkin blew away the competition and was able to capture a new personal-best time of 7.87 seconds in the event. Although the hurdlers were exceptional in the Badger Open, Paul Annear, a redshirt freshman jumper from Richland Center Wis., provided the greatest excitement of the day. His best high jump, which cleared 6 feet 11 3/4 inches, brought the crowd to its feet, while vaulting Annear to the UW record books. Annear now sits at a tie for 10th all-time with his new personal best in the high jump.
Nick Toon and Kyle Jefferson, both wide receivers from the UW football team, competed at a high level in the meet. Head football coach Bret Bielema and wide receivers coach DelVaughn Alexander were on hand to watch the wide outs display their abilities on the track. Toon ran the 60-meter dash and came out victorious in the end with a time of 7.08 seconds. After finishing fourth in the prelims, Toon was able to improve his time by a 10th of a second and win a compelling race in the finals. Jefferson ran well in his event, the 300-meter dash, and was finished in second place.
In the throwing events, Jake Fritz and his sister Rebecca, who hail from Milwaukee, came away winners. Jake won the men’s shot put, reaching a distance of 16.44 meters. Rebecca, on the other hand, won the women’s weight throw by reaching a distance of 14.96 meters. Sophomore Rayme Mackinson also contributed to the team’s success with a resounding win in the long jump
“Several guys are breaking out at the right times in their respective events, and it’s a reflection of their work ethic day in and day out,” Nuttycombe said to UWBadgers.com.
