2021 UW-La Crosse Women's Track & Field Indoor Schedule

La Crosse, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse women's indoor track & field team is set to start its 2021 season February 6 at UW-Oshkosh.  The Eagles will compete in four Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) duals as well as the UW-Stevens Point Multi and UW-Whitewater Last Chance Meet. 

The WIAC Championships, originally scheduled for February 26-27, were canceled.  The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Championships, scheduled for March 12-13 in Geneva, Ohio, were canceled February 3.  The Division III Administrative Committee, acting on behalf of the Division III Management and Presidents Council, approved the recommendation from the Division III Championships Committee.

Nickolas Davis starts his fourth season as the UWL's head coach in 2020-21.  He led UWL to the 2020 WIAC Indoor Championship, winning 10 individual league titles while recording four second-place finishes and six third-place finishes. For its efforts, UWL was named the 2020 WIAC Coaching Staff of the Year.   

Named the 2020 U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Midwest Region Coach of the Year, Davis was one of three finalists for the 2020 USTFCCCA Coach of the Year. 

"We will compete on Saturday and it will be nearly 11 months to the day since we last did so," said Davis.  "To get back on the track, in the throws ring, and on the runway is incredibly exciting.  Although we don't have the opportunity to compete for an NCAA Indoor Championship, we are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to test ourselves against some of the best competition in the country this indoor season.  We are focused and ready to put down some great marks this indoor season, building on what we were able to accomplish 11 months ago as the top-ranked team going into last year's championship."

Fifteen members of UWL's squad were set to compete at the 2020 NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships, but the meet was canceled to the COVID-19 pandemic threat.

Davis says the adaptability of the student-athletes has been impressive.  "They know what it felt like to have their passion stripped from them last year.  They know what it feels like to have something they love put on hold.  They are so dedicated and committed as athletes that they have not complained or batted an eye at doing what is necessary to be with their track and field family.  Their focus is on bettering themselves and their teammates and the path, however challenging, is worth it to them.  I'm proud of them."

UWL returns 20 student-athletes who recorded top-eight individual finishes at the 2020 WIAC Championships. Savannah Rygiewicz was named the WIAC Track Performer of the Meet after winning the 60 and 200-meter dash and being a member of the Eagles' first-place 4x400-meter relay. Skye Digman was selected the WIAC Field Performer of the Meet as she swept the shot put and weight throw.
 
Emma Platzbecker, Emma Lawrence and Mara Schroeder joined Rygiewicz on the winning 4x400-meter relay.  Individually, Lawrence captured the 60-meter hurdles title and Schroeder the 400-meter dash.
 
The Eagles' Melanie Kunze and Maddie Hannan were on the first-place distance medley relay.
 

Madeline Sweeney captured the 5,000-meter run at the 2020 WIAC Championships while finishing sixth in the 3,000-meter run.
 
Kelly Aldrich, Emma Malooly and Hannah Zenkovich each had a pair of top-six league finishes.  Aldrich finished third in the 200-meter dash and sixth in the 60-meter dash while Malooly was second in the 3,000-meter run and sixth in the mile run.  Zenkovich placed second in the pentathlon and third in the 60-meter hurdles.
 
Top-eight individual finishes on the track included Katie Banie second in the 400-meter dash, Claire Koenecke fifth in the 800-meter run, Delaney Schultz seventh in the mile run, Rachel Jeffers seventh in the 3,000-meter run and Aly Reuvers eighth in the 200-meter dash.
 
In the field events, Nicole Lord placed third in the long jump while Ashley O'Connell was third in the pole vault.  Abby Meidl was fifth in the pole vault. Jessica Stelzner finished fourth and Kylah Frederixon sixth in the triple jump while Madison Page was seventh in the long jump.  Pamela Gramer finished fourth in the weight throw.

Davis says the team's strength is in its leadership and purpose. "We have a team full of women who lead both by example and vocally," added Davis. "They are not afraid to hold themselves and their teammates accountable.  They put in the work, even in uncertain times.  Their resolve is strong.  We've spent time as a team finding our "why" and what drives us individually and as a collective.  This has been extremely valuable."  He said despite having the national championships canceled, the team's practice was energetic, focused, and high quality.  "We've learned to roll with the punches and we have been waiting for our opportunity to live out our purpose.  That will happen this Saturday and we couldn't be more excited."