Badgers boast nation’s best decathlon program
June 21, 2016 | Men's Track & Field
Wisconsin wins Webb Cup recognizing success in men’s multi-events
MADISON, Wis. – When it comes to the decathlon, the nation's best program wears Cardinal and White.
The Wisconsin men's track and field team has been awarded the 2016 Webb Cup, given to the collegiate program with the most success in the decathlon by the Decathlon Association.
Started in 2013, the Webb Cup recognizes college programs for both decathlon quality and quantity. Points are awarded for the top total score of two-, three-, four-, five-, six-, seven- and eight-man decathlon groups.
UW earned 31 points, the best score accumulated in award history, after recording the best showing among four- and five-man groups. Wisconsin ranked second among two- and three-man teams.
"I appreciate the commitment to combined events that Coach Byrne makes, and his total support," UW assistant coach Nate Davis, who oversees the multi-events program, said of Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Mick Byrne. "It is unique in the NCAA and allows us to develop talent, especially from the state of Wisconsin."
The Badgers were led by Bowerman Award semifinalist Zach Ziemek, who tallied a Big Ten Conference record of 8,300 points en route to a runner-up finish at the 2016 NCAA Outdoor Championships. Ziemek's score was the best in NCAA meet history by a second-place finisher and is the best total by an American this year.
Brandon Mortensen, who also qualified for the NCAA meet, ended the year with a season-best score of 7,335 points at the 2016 Big Ten Outdoor Championships. The junior finished fourth at the Big Ten competition, his best career finish at the conference meet.
Three other Badgers enjoyed season-best performances at the Big Ten meet, as redshirt freshman Trent Nytes finished sixth with a score of 7,224 points, senior Charlie Foss was seventh with 7,085 points and sophomore Sawyer Smith was ninth with 6,969 points.
"I could not be more proud of what we did as a group this year," Davis said. "Our guys were committed to get better every step of the way."
Wisconsin will receive its trophy at the 2017 NCAA Indoor Championships in College Station, Texas.
The Wisconsin men's track and field team has been awarded the 2016 Webb Cup, given to the collegiate program with the most success in the decathlon by the Decathlon Association.
Started in 2013, the Webb Cup recognizes college programs for both decathlon quality and quantity. Points are awarded for the top total score of two-, three-, four-, five-, six-, seven- and eight-man decathlon groups.
UW earned 31 points, the best score accumulated in award history, after recording the best showing among four- and five-man groups. Wisconsin ranked second among two- and three-man teams.
"I appreciate the commitment to combined events that Coach Byrne makes, and his total support," UW assistant coach Nate Davis, who oversees the multi-events program, said of Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Mick Byrne. "It is unique in the NCAA and allows us to develop talent, especially from the state of Wisconsin."
The Badgers were led by Bowerman Award semifinalist Zach Ziemek, who tallied a Big Ten Conference record of 8,300 points en route to a runner-up finish at the 2016 NCAA Outdoor Championships. Ziemek's score was the best in NCAA meet history by a second-place finisher and is the best total by an American this year.
Brandon Mortensen, who also qualified for the NCAA meet, ended the year with a season-best score of 7,335 points at the 2016 Big Ten Outdoor Championships. The junior finished fourth at the Big Ten competition, his best career finish at the conference meet.
Three other Badgers enjoyed season-best performances at the Big Ten meet, as redshirt freshman Trent Nytes finished sixth with a score of 7,224 points, senior Charlie Foss was seventh with 7,085 points and sophomore Sawyer Smith was ninth with 6,969 points.
"I could not be more proud of what we did as a group this year," Davis said. "Our guys were committed to get better every step of the way."
Wisconsin will receive its trophy at the 2017 NCAA Indoor Championships in College Station, Texas.
Players Mentioned
Multi-Events
/ Men's Track & Field
Multi-Events
/ Men's Track & Field
Multi-Events
/ Men's Track & Field
Multi-Events
/ Men's Track & Field
Multi-Events
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