Issued: April 30, 2003

MEN'S TRACK SET FOR WIAC OUTDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

STEVENS POINT - The UW-Eau Claire men's track and field team will travel to Stevens Point Friday to participate in the two-day WIAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships held at Colman Field.

John Schuna (So.-Hudson) will look to have a repeat performance of last season when he was the NCAA Division III shot put champion. Schuna has already earned an automatic bid for national competition this season at the Phil Esten Challenge held April 13 in La Crosse when he heave a throw of 54-02.50 to win the competition. One week later, the defending champ launched an even better throw of 54-04.25 while also qualifying provisionally for nationals in the discuss with a throw of 166-0.

Zach Severson (Fr.-Sun Prairie) will head to his first WIAC Outdoor Championships after a solid season. Severson was one of four Blugolds to claim a first place finish at the Phil Esten Challenge as he grabbed first in the 1500 meter run with a time of 4:00.75. A week later at the Carleton Relays, Severson excelled in another event, the 800 meter run, as he grabbed third with a time of 1:56.77.

Matt Goertz (Jr.-Manitowoc/Lincoln) will also be competing in the track aspect of the event. Goertz was another Blugolds with a first place outcome at the Phil Esten Challenge, his win coming in the 3000 meter steeplechase. He covered the distance in a time of 9:37.69. At the Carleton Relays, Goertz obtained a time in the event good for a provisional qualification for national competition as he finished the 3000 meter steeplechase in a time of 9:21.16.

The competition is set to begin at 11:30 a.m. on Friday.