La Crosse, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse women's track & field team started competition in the Phil Esten Challenge Thursday night with the 10,000-meter run at Roger Harring Stadium at Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex. 

The Eagles had nine runners place in the top-21 in Thursday's 10-meter run, including Rachel Jeffers finishing seventh overall (36:49.72). Her time ranks ninth in school history. UWL's Jenna Lovejoy was 10th (37:33.81) Thursday. 

Katelyn Chadwick placed 12th (37:49.52), Kaylan Marshall 13th (37:51.35), Maddy Sweeney 14th (37:56.77), Maddy Vantassel 15th (37:59.69), Julia Anderson 16th (38:20.79) and Charlotte Mueller 17th (38:52.97). Hannah Bero was 21st (39:34.25). 

A total of 51 runners completed the race. UWL is fifth in the team standings with 2.0 points while UW-Stevens Point leads with 8.0.

Esten served as head coach of the men's cross country program at UWL for 28 years (1970-97).  He led the Eagles to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III title in 1996.  UWL added national runner-up honors in either the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) or NCAA Division III eight times during Esten's tenure.  In all, Esten's squads finished in the national top-10 in 26 consecutive tries and appeared in a national championship in 27 of his 28 cross country seasons. UWL won 20 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) titles under Esten.  He was named the WIAC Men's Cross Country All-Time Coach.

He also served as an assistant track & field coach at UWL for 34 seasons.  Esten is a member of the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Hall of Fame, UWL Wall of Fame, NAIA Cross Country Hall of Fame, NAIA District 14 Hall of Fame and Wisconsin Cross Country Coaches' Association Hall.  He is a 1965 graduate of UWL and former cross country and track athlete.

UWL returns to action on the second day of the Esten Challenge on Friday, April 22 starting at 10:30 a.m.