Jan. 29, 2010

Complete Results | Complete Results

MADISON, Wis. -- A pair of athletes from the Wisconsin men's track and field team got the Wisconsin Elite Invitational off to a strong start for the hosts Friday.

Sophomore Derek Steinbach stands second in the heptathlon after the four events completed on Friday, the opening round of the two-day meet, with a score of 2,843. Just behind is senior teammate Seth Pelock, who owns a total of 2,739 after day 1.

Both are looking up at a redshirting teammate, however, as freshman Japeth Cato -- competing unattached -- holds down the top spot in the heptathlon with 2,976 points.

Cato opened the day by crossing the finish line first in the 60-meter dash with a personal-best time of 7.23 seconds. The performance earned hims 802 points and the early lead.

Pelock crossed the line next in 7.33 and scored 769 points, while Steinbach crossed in 7.35, earning himself 762 points.

UW sophomore Ian Jansen rounded out the top four clocking a personal-best time of 7.45, scoring 729 points.

The long jump provided a second opportunity for Cato to shine, who earned himself another 857 points and another personal record by jumping 23 feet, 6 3/4 inches.

Steinbach followed with a leap of 21 feet, good enough to score 675 points. Jansen earned 668 points with the third-longest jump in the event, at 20-10 3/4, and Pelock posted a leap of 20-4 1/2, scoring 632 points.

The Badger heptathletes maintained momentum as they moved on to competition in the shot put, with Steinbach and Pelock going 1-2 in the event.

Steinbach threw a personal-best 46 feet, 10 1/4 inches, earning him 745 points for his effort. Pelock had a throw of 41-9 1/4 and a 651-point boost.

Cato had the fourth-longest throw, at 34-10 1/4. Jansen trailed his teammates with a throw of 33-9 1/4, tying sixth with Ben Crogan and Drew Feuk of UW-Milwaukee.  

Steinbach and Cato actually were tied for the overall lead with 2,182 points Upon completion of the shot put, while Pelock followed in third with 2,052 points and Jansen rounded out the scoring for Wisconsin with 1,900 points.     

The high jump marked the final event of the day. Cato posted the third-highest jump of the event, at 6 feet, 6 1/4 inches. Pelock was next with a jump of 6-1 1/2. Steinbach and Jansen followed by clearing 6-0 1/2.

The heptathlon concludes with three final events Saturday, beginning with the 60-meter hurdles at 9:30 a.m. and the pole vault and 1,000 meters to follow.

The rest of the Badgers, as well as competitors from Purdue, Indiana State, South Dakota and Milwaukee, also join the action Saturday as the team-scored competition heats up. Field events begin at 10:30 a.m. and the morning section of running events begin at 11 a.m.

The afternoon session of running events -- featuring finals in 16 different races -- is set for 1:30-3:30 p.m.