LA CROSSE, Wis. (blugolds.com) - A week out from the NCAA National Championships, the Blugold track and field teams worked out the kinks at the UW-La Crosse Final Qualifier. Wes Keller achieved a lifetime personal record in high jump, 2.07m, placing him top 6 in the nation in the event. Wes had some very close attempts at 2.11m, a mark that would've led the nation and a mark that Wes will look to clear next weekend. Haley Blagdon cleared a big bar in pole vault, 3.78m, securing her spot at Nationals and achieving a personal record. She will compete alongside fellow vaulters Ayden Fleeharty and Isaiah Bauer at NCAAs next weekend.

Three time All-American, Stefan Klechefski, found his stride in the 60m dash finishing in a major personal best of 6.77s, which ties Stefan for 4th in the nation! Kevin Eisenzimmer also recorded a personal best, this time in the 400m dash with a time of 48.95s. This mark will give Kevin a chance to run in the event at the NCAAs depending on declarations. Building on Blugold 400m success, Jacob Eickhoff, Izaak Clendenning, Charlie Wolter and I ran the 4x400m relay in a time of 3:18.54. This time places our squad in the top 30 4x4 performances across the nation and didn't even showcase the teams top 3 runners who will compete in the relay at Nationals. The Blugolds 400m depth is impressive to say the least, and the future is bright for the team.

Yesterday at the Wartburg qualifier, Emilee Booker punched her ticket to NCAAs in the pentathlon with a score of 3417pts. Her performance included a PR in the 60m hurdles in a time of 8.72s, a mark that places her top 8 in the event. Emilee will have a choice of competing in both the pentathlon and open 60m hurdles at NCAAs, or just the pentathlon. Whatever she competes in, look for Emily to grace the podium next week.

Top Men's Performances
1st: Stefan Klechefski (Jr. - River Falls, Wis.): 60m Dash (6.77s)
1st: Wes Keller (Jr. - Richland Center, Wis.): High Jump (2.07m)
1st: Yakob Ekoue (Sr. - Hopkins, Minn.): Shot Put (17.58m)
2nd: Kevin Eisenzimmer (Sr. - Mineral Point, Wis.): 400m Dash (49.12s)
2nd: Mitch Stegeman (Sr. - Coleman, Wis./Suring): Pole Vault (4.73m)
2nd: Gage Stankiewicz (Jr. - Esko, Minn.): Shot Put (17.19m)
2nd Yakob Ekoue (Sr. - Hopkins, Minn.): Weight Throw (19.60m)
 
Top Women's Performances
1st: Haley Blagdon (Sr. - Waukesha, Wis./North): Pole Vault (3.78m)
1st: Emilee Booker (Jr. - Genoa City, Wis./Badger): Pentathlon (3414pts)
1st: Teagan Jones (Sr. - Lake Zurich, Ill.): (17.91m)
2nd: Kayla Behnke (Jr. - Kimberly, Wis.): Weight Throw (17.51m)

The Blugolds will travel to Virginia Beach on Wednesday to prepare for the meet of the season, the NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships, on March 8-9th.