Printer-friendly format Email this article Nicole Frey begins her indoor 200m title defense Saturday at the Carthage Invitaitonal

Panther Track Opens Saturday At Carthage Invitational

UWM begins indoor season in Kenosha

Jan. 13, 2003

MILWAUKEE - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's and women's track and field teams will begin their 2003 indoor campaign Saturday at the Carthage Invitational in Kenosha, Wis. The Division I Invitational will be held on the campus of Carthage College at the Tarble Athletic and Recreation Center and will begin at 11 a.m.

About the Panthers
UWM enters the 2003 season looking to reclaim the Horizon League Indoor Championship after winning five straight on the men's side and two straight women's titles. The Panthers will have an extra incentive to win the championship this season, as the Klotsche Center plays host to the 2003 Horizon League Indoor Track and Field Championships on March 1 and 2.

Handicapping the Opposition
Milwaukee will be one of eight schools competing at the Carthage Invitational this weekend. Joining the Panthers will be athletes from Carthage, Chicago State, Marquette, UW-Parkside, Valparaiso, DePaul and Horizon League member Loyola. The Panthers will be seeing much of Marquette and Loyola, as both schools are slated to compete at the UWM Tune-Up on Feb. 21 at the Klotsche Center.

On The Men's Roster
Several strong newcomers join a talented core of returners for coach Pete Corfeld's men's team. Among the returnees are Nick Davis, Kyle Huebner and Adam Holber, each of whom received first team all-league honors a year ago. Davis and Huebner each won one indoor title, with Davis winning two events outdoors and Huebner and Hobler each winning one. Also returning is sophomore Steve Saul, who earned all-league recognition in cross country during the fall of 2002.

For The Women
Six different women won titles a year ago, with five of them returning in 2003 to defend their championship. Nicole Frey captured both the indoor and outdoor 200m crown, while Stephanie Kenesie won the long jump both indoors and outdoors. Kenesie also added an indoor triple jump title to her credit. Abby Hurst (3000m steeplechase), Katie Seep (outdoor 400m) and Lynda Thiel (outdoor pole vault, javelin) also return to try to repeat.

Record Breakers
Lynda Thiel and Katie Seep had a meet to remember last year at the Horizon League Outdoor Championships on May 9 and 10 in Indianapolis. Thiel set a new school record in the pole vault, clearing 3.35m (11 feet) and was named the meet's Outstanding Performer for Field Events. Seep, meanwhile, set a new Horizon League record in winning the 400m, finishing in 57.04.

Record Breakers, Part 2
Lynda Thiel started the 2003 season off in a strong way by finishing second in the pole vault at the Badger Track Classic on Saturday. Thiel cleared 3.41m (11'2.25"), setting a new indoor school record.

Thanks For The Memories
The men's team lost two of the most decorated athletes in the school's Division I history in Cornelius Hill and Jon Manke at the end of last season. Hill departs UWM after just one season, but holds the school record in the indoor mile and 3000m, along with the outdoor mile. Manke, meanwhile, holds the indoor shot and weight throw records, and the outdoor shot and discus marks.

More Men's From Madison
In the season debut at the Badger Track Classic on Saturday, Nick Viall was fourth in the 600m, finishing in 1:21.57, while freshman Josh Nygren was third in the 3000m in 8:50.88. Kyle Huebner was fifth in the high jump, clearing 1.95m (6'4.75") and fourth in the pole vault with a height of 4.33m (14'2.5").

Women's Wrap from Wisconsin
The Panther men weren't the only ones with a successful trip to Madison Saturday. The women joined in, with Nicole Frey finishing second in the 60m in 7.99 and third in the 200 in 26.32, Sara Vanderloop finishing fourth in the 200 in 26.61, and Katie Seep finishing fifth in the 400m in 1:00.76. Lynda Thiel, in addition to setting a new school record in the pole vault, cleared 1.58m (5'2.25") in the high jump to finish sixth. Stephanie Kenesie was second in the long jump (11.31m (18'4")) and third in the triple jump (11.27m (36'11.75")) as well for the Panthers.

Next On Tap
The Panthers will head to Charleston, Ill., for the Eastern Illinois Invitational on Sat., Jan. 25.