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University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire

#RollGolds
5.22 WTF Recap
Daniel Murray, UWEC Track & Field

Women's Track & Field

Blugolds Begin Outdoor Championships with School Record and All-Americans

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.

Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugolds.com or on our app, Blugold Sports, and on social media on TwitterInstagramFacebook, and TikTok
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Players Mentioned

Kayla Behnke

Kayla Behnke

Throws
Graduate Student
Laura Bertrang

Laura Bertrang

High Jump
Junior
Mya Cinnamo

Mya Cinnamo

400, Sprints
Junior
Lauren Dimler

Lauren Dimler

Multi
Senior
Kylee Grabarski

Kylee Grabarski

400, Sprints
Senior
Bella Hooker

Bella Hooker

Distance/High Jump
Sophomore
McKenzie Kruse

McKenzie Kruse

Pole Vault/400
Sophomore
Anna Thaler

Anna Thaler

Triple Jump
Sophomore
Kendall Thurston

Kendall Thurston

Throws
Junior
Britt Fitzgerald

Britt Fitzgerald

High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Kayla Behnke

Kayla Behnke

Graduate Student
Throws
Laura Bertrang

Laura Bertrang

Junior
High Jump
Mya Cinnamo

Mya Cinnamo

Junior
400, Sprints
Lauren Dimler

Lauren Dimler

Senior
Multi
Kylee Grabarski

Kylee Grabarski

Senior
400, Sprints
Bella Hooker

Bella Hooker

Sophomore
Distance/High Jump
McKenzie Kruse

McKenzie Kruse

Sophomore
Pole Vault/400
Anna Thaler

Anna Thaler

Sophomore
Triple Jump
Kendall Thurston

Kendall Thurston

Junior
Throws
Britt Fitzgerald

Britt Fitzgerald

Freshman
High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump