LA CROSSE, Wis. (www.blugolds.com) — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's track & field team had three podium placements and six final qualifying marks on Thursday and Friday of the 2026 NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships. Kayla Behnke, Lauren Dimler, and Amaria Kejo all earned All-America status after placing in the top 8 of their respective events. 

Kayle Behnke earned a career best placement in the discus on Thursday to earn her ninth personal podium placement as a Blugold. Behnke's fifth throw on the day recorded at 50.59 meters to earn her second place and her ninth career All-America honors. Lauren Dimler earned her first career podium placement with an eighth place finish in the heptathlon with 4834 points. Dimler finished fifth in the high jump, seventh in the 200 meter race, and fourth in the 800 meter race to earn All-America Honors. 

Making her debut at the NCAA Championship, Amaria Kejo earned a podium placement and a seventh place finish in the shot put on Friday. Kejo fourth throw of the day came in at 13.82 meters for a personal best and All-America honors to end her rookie season. 

Bella Hooker's performance on Thursday also highlighted the beginning of the championships for UWEC. Hooker broke the Blugolds' school record in the women's 1500 meter race with a final time of 4:24.75, breaking the past record set by Chris Goepel in 1986. Bella now holds the record in the 1500 and 800 meter races.

Looking ahead to championship Saturday, the Blugolds will have eight competitors looking to add to the team's total points with podium placements. Kayla Behnke and Kendall Thurston will compete in the hammer throw, Bella Hooker will run the 1,500 meter finals, and Laura Bertrang will throw the javelin. Anna Thaler will compete in the Triple Jump, while Britt Fitzgerald, Kylee Grabarski, Mya Cinnamo, and McKenzie Kruse will race the 4x400 meter relay. Cinnamo will also run in the women's 400 meter hurdles.

First events on Saturday are scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. at Veteran's Memorial Field in La Crosse, Wis.

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