UW-L Wins Eighth Straight WIAC Title; Stauder Captures High Jump

For Immediate Release: Sunday, March 1, 2009

Menomonie, Wis. - The UW-La Crosse men's track & field team won its eight straight Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Indoor Championship at UW-Stout's Sports & Fitness Center Sunday night. The Eagles finished with 141.5 team points while UW-Stevens Point was second with 135.5 and UW-Oshkosh third with 121.0. UW-Whitewater placed fourth (94.5) followed by UW-Eau Claire (85.0), UW-Platteville (53.5), UW-Stout (38.0), UW-River Falls (29.0) and UW-Superior (0.0).

The six point margin of victory is the closest since the 1989 championships when UW-Oshkosh defeated UW-L, 140.5 to 137.0. UW-L captured its 34th overall indoor title Sunday, the most in WIAC history.

Leading the way Sunday for the Eagles was Dave Stauder who took the high jump (6-8 1/4). He provisionally qualified for the NCAA Division III Championships with his winning mark. UW-L's Nick Stone was fifth (6-4 1/4) and Clark Lundquist tied for seventh (6-2 1/4) in the high jump.

Jessie Dengsavang placed second in the triple jump (46-11) Sunday while Luke Crowley was third in the weight throw (56-2 1/2). Both provisionally qualified for the national meet. The Eagles' Aaron Johnson was ninth in the weight throw (52-5 1/4).

On the track, Matt Gordy recorded a pair of second-place finishes for UW-L. He was second in the 55 (6.42) and 200 (22.56) meter dashes. Gordy's time in the 55-meter dash met provisional qualifying standards for the NCAA III Championships. Zach Lee was fifth (6.51) in the 55-meter dash while Alex Rooker finished third in the 200-meter dash (22.62). Rooker was also second in the 400-meter dash (49.95) while Paul Yerhot was third (50.13) and Ryan Mendez fifth (50.47).

UW-L's Jamar Jackson finished third in the 55-meter hurdles final (7.83).

Zach Wilhelmy had two third-place finishes Sunday, placing third in the mile (4:13.62) and 3,000-meter runs (8:40.10). Dallas Vincent finished fourth in the mile (4:15.36) and eighth in the 3,000-meter run (8:44.32). Wilhelmy and Vincent both provisionally qualified for the NCAA III Championships with their mile finishes.

The Eagles' 4x200-meter relay of Rooker, Gordy, Terrence Thigpen and Lee placed third (1:29.99) while the 4x400-meter relay of Jordan Stenzel, McCauley Kraker, Michael Marchese and Mitch Wilson finished eighth (3:30.54).

UW-L's Brad Peterson was selected the WIAC Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete and Pat Bryan was named to the Larry Zirgibel All-Sportsmanship Team.

For complete results, click here.

UW-L returns to action Friday, March 6 at the Karl Schlender Last Chance Meet at UW-Whitewater at 5 p.m.