GENEVA, Ohio — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's and women's track and field teams both climbed into first place on the second day of the NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships on Friday at SPIRE Institute. The Blugold men are in sole possession of the lead in the men's meet entering the final day of competition, while the women are tied with MIT for the top spot.

The Blugold men sit atop the standings with a score of 35, one ahead of UW-Oshkosh. The Blugold women have a score of 27 to share the lead with MIT.

A day after picking up a national championship in men's discus, the Blugold throwers added another national crown to their collection on Friday. Adam Strouf (Sr. - Rice Lake, Wis.) made it a 2025 sweep by winning the national title in shot put, successfully defending his championship from the indoor season in March. His heave of 18.50 meters was a personal best and beat the next-best throw by 0.29 meters. It came on his first throw of the day.

It was a big day for the Blugolds in men's shot put. Yakob Ekoue (Sr. - Hopkins, Minn.) earned his second All-America honor of the meet by placing third, and Gage Stankiewicz (Sr. - Esko, Minn.) did the same by placing seventh. Curtis Johnson (Fr. - Sun Prairie, Wis./Sun Prairie East), in his first appearance at nationals, took 15th.

The Blugold women shined in heptathlon, where Emma Gruen (Sr. - Elroy, Wis./Royall) and Emilee Booker (Sr. - Genoa City, Wis./Badger) placed second and third, respectively, to earn All-America honors. Guen finished with a score of 4,988 — a personal best — while Booker was close behind at 4,956.

In decathlon, Max Foland (Sr. - Middleton, Wis.) clinched All-America status with a fifth-place finish at 6,547 — his best tally of the season. It was the second All-America honor of his career in the event.

Mason Shea (Sr. - River Falls, Wis.) became a two-time All-American in men's steeplechase when he finished eighth in the event. His time was 9:03.25.

Also on Friday, Stefan Klechefski (Sr. - Roberts, Wis./River Falls) advanced through prelims to the men's 100-meter dash final. He took fourth in the first round.

The Blugold men and women will look to bring home the gold on the final day of the meet Saturday. Collectively, they have eight individuals and three relays in action as they look to maintain their lead atop the team standings. The men last captured an outdoor national championship in 2022, while the women are seeking their first championship. The final day starts at 11 a.m. Eastern.

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