Washington, D.C. - Members of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse women's and men's track & field teams were recognized at the White House in Washington, D.C. as part of College Athlete Day on Monday.  Vice President Kamala Harris welcomed the women's and men's National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championship teams from the 2022-23 season. 

"I don't think our teams can cram any more into a 24-hour block of time," said UWL men's head coach Josh Buchholtz.  "The opportunity to see the sights of our nation's capital, visit the White House and get a guided tour of the U.S. Capitol Building was well worth the investment these student-athletes made toward NCAA titles.  This was a true experience they will never forget." 

UWL departed campus on Saturday, June 10 and had an opportunity to sight see in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, June 11.  The teams will be arriving back in La Crosse on Tuesday, June 13. 

"Truly an honor to be a part of something so special," said JT Zell, who along with Emma Lawrence, represented UWL on the stage at Monday's ceremony.  "These opportunities are once in a lifetime," added Zell.  "We are super thankful to everyone involved for making it happen." 

"Being invited to this event was empowering itself, but being able to represent our teams in front of everyone there was extremely special," said Lawrence.  "This is huge for our program, and this trip was a way to take a step back again and realize what we accomplished this season." 

UWL head women's track & field Nickolas Davis added it was humbling to be in the presence of so many great athletes from around the country while also be gratifying to be a part of that elite list.  "Our athletes really enjoyed their moment to celebrate such a memorable season in our nation's capital," said Davis.  "I am incredibly proud to be here with our amazing women and men, representing our university.  These athletes work day in and day out to be the best they can be both on and off the track.  For us to be able to share this moment and represent our great university is a privilege we will not soon forget."

The men's and women's squads swept the NCAA Division III Indoor Championship on March 10-11 in Birmingham, Alabama.  It was the men's 19th indoor title in school history (most in NCAA Division III) and first since 2017. UWL has captured 12 of the last 20 indoor national titles.  UWL's women's team captured its second (2015) indoor national crown.  The Eagles also won the NCAA Division III Outdoor title on May 25-27 in Rochester, New York.  The women's team won its fourth (1983, 1984, 2015, 2023) outdoor national crown. 

"A once in a lifetime opportunity, visiting the White House was a surreal experience," said student-athlete Aidan Williams. "It's amazing how doing the sport that I love, poured countless hours of work into, would lead me to an honor as great as this one."