BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's and women's track & field team competed during day one of the 2023 NCAA Division III Indoor Championships on Friday. All 15 Blugolds were in action for prelims or multi events as four Blugolds set personal bests and Stefan Klechefski (Jr. – Roberts, Wis./River Falls) qualified for the 60m dash finals.

Results

Klechefski recorded a personal best (6.82s) during the 60m dash prelims to earn one of eight spots in Saturday's finals. Colin McClowry (So. – Neenah, Wis.) also recorded a personal best on Friday with a time of 21.80s in the 200m prelims. McClowry finished 13^th out of 20 racers during Friday's heats. Anna Schueth (Sr. – Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead) was another Blugold recording a personal best during Friday's preliminaries with a 12^th place finish and a time of 2:12.72 during her third trip to the NCAA Indoor Championships. Carolyn Shult (Sr. – Augusta, Wis.) also ended her Indoor season on a high note with a 13^th place finished and a personal best (4:55.28) in the 1-mile prelims.

Mitch Stegeman (Sr. – Coleman, Wis./Suring), Casey Chadwick (Sr. – Poynette, Wis.), and Max Foland (So. – Middleton, Wis.) started their quests for the heptathlon title after four events. Stegeman currently sits in 6^th place with 2771 points after top-10 finishes in the long jump, the shot put, and the high jump. Foland ranks 13^th with 2599 points after capturing a 5^th place finish in the 60m dash and a 6^th place finish in the shot put. Chadwick currently sits in 14^th place with 2547 points. All three with compete in the 60m hurdles, the pole vault, and the 1000m race on Saturday.

Other Blugold results included Hannah Zastrow (Jr. – Spencer, Wis.) and Emilee Booker (So. – Genoa City, Wis./Badger) finishing 18^th and 19^th respectively in the 60m hurdles. On the women's multi side, Jane Kautz (Sr. – Port Washington, Wis.) collected 3217 points during the five events and placed 16^th in the pentathlon. Yakob Ekoue (Sr. – Hopkins, Minn.) placed 12^th in the men's weight throw. Catie Fobbe (Sr. – Annandale, Minn./Maple Lake) and Raina Stecher (So. – Stewartville, Minn.) placed 13^th and 12^th respectively during the women's weight throw. Leah Zastrow (Fr. – Spencer, Wis.) placed 19^th in the pole vault during her first ever NCAA Championships.

Seven Blugolds will continue their competitions on Saturday during the final events of the Championships. Events are set to begin at 10AM with the Heptathlon 60m hurdles.

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