May 7, 2002

MILWAUKEE - The UWM track and field teams will head to Indianapolis, Ind., this week for the Horizon League Championships. The women's team will be looking to defend their championship, while the men will be looking for their fifth straight outdoor title.

Last Weekend: The Panthers competed in a pair of in-state meets last weekend, running Friday at the Marquette Invitational and Saturday at the Wisconsin Twilight. Three school records fell in the two meets, as Lynda Thiel broke the UWM women's pole vault mark, clearing 10'8 3/4" to finish first. Saturday, two other marks fell, as Stephanie Kenesie captured the long jump record by jumping 19'6", while Jon Manke added the shot put record to his resume, throwing 56'2 1/2". In other action Friday, Nicole Frey (100m), Kalin Konop (long jump), Jessica Hendree (400m hurdles), Nick Viall (800m) and Cornelius Hill (1500m) joined Thiel in winning events.

Athlete of the Week: Stephanie Kenesie was named Horizon League Athlete of the Week this week for her showing at the Wisconsin Twilight. Kenesie finished second in the long jump, a quarter inch behind the event winner, setting a new school record in the process.

Watch For Falling Records: The three records that fell over the weekend bring the season total to four school marks broken on the outdoor season. Earlier this year, the men's 3200m relay team broke the school record in that event with a 7:34.79 at the Eastern Illinois Invitational. The team of Nick Viall, B.J. Blake, Cornelius Hill and Joe Tuttle followed that up by breaking it again at the Drake Relays, finishing in 7:33.94.

Last Year's Championships: UWM captured the outdoor title on both sides a year ago, with the women outdistancing Detroit by 25 points and the men topping Butler by 10 points. UWM returns two award winners from a year ago, as Kristy Naef was named Field Events Performer of the Year on the women's side and Nick Davis was named Newcomer of the Year on the men's side. In addition, Naef and Stephanie Kenesie, both event winners from a year ago, return to lead the women. Nick Davis won two events a year ago, while Jon Manke won the shot put.

On The Horizon: Several athletes will have a final opportunity to qualify for the NCAA Championships at the Last Chance Qualifier on May 16-18, with the Panthers tentatively scheduled to travel to Atlanta, Ga., for the Georgia Tech Invitational. Qualifying athletes will compete in the NCAA Outdoor Championhips on May 29-June 1 at Baton Rouge, La.