Five events to watch: Men's track competes in two meets

Friday, January 21

Iowa City, IA

Wisconsin Badgers

Larry Wieczorek Invitational

Five events to watch: Men's track competes in two meets

January 20, 2022 | Men's Track & Field

Badgers head to Iowa and Illinois

By: Diane Nordstrom

Iowa Schedule of Events | Iowa Live Results | Illinois Schedule of Events | Illinois Live Results | Illinois Live Stream

MADISON, Wis. -- The Wisconsin men's track and field team continues its indoor season, traveling to two different meets this weekend.

Most of the team heads to Iowa City, Iowa, for the Larry Wieczorek Invitational on Friday-Saturday. Events begin at 4 p.m. on Friday and at 1 p.m. on Saturday at the Iowa Recreation Building. The Badgers compete Baylor, Drake, Northern Iowa, Purdue and host Iowa.

The Badgers send their throwers to the Illini Invitational on Saturday where they will compete against Illinois State, Illinois-Chicago, Northern Illinois, Chicago State and host Illinois. Events begin at 10 a.m.

1. SPEEDY L.O.: Junior Lawrence Johnson looks to build on a his personal best time in the 60-meter dash set last weekend at the Midwest Invitational. The Badger speedster, who ran 6.70 seconds last weekend, will have competition from Iowa's Kalen Walker, who has run 6.69 this season.

2. DISTANCE DEBUT: The Badger distance runners compete for the first time this new year with several standouts running the mile and 3,000 meters. In the mile, redshirt senior Olin Hacker leads strong field that includes teammates Jack Meijer and Ansel Fellman. Meijer is also entered in the 3,000 meters and will be joined by Seth Hirsch.

3. TOSSING THE THROWS: In the weight throw, transfer Sam Coil will face a challenge from Logan Calvin of Illinois State. Calvin ranks 11th nationally with a toss of 68 feet, 2 1/2 inches while Coil ranks 20th at 66-10 1/2. Calvin will also be the UW throwers' biggest challenge in the shot put as he has a best mark this season of 62-2 1/4. Andrew Stone leads the Badgers in the shot put, where he has a throw of 61-8 1/4, which ranks 14th nationally and third in the Big Ten. Stone will also compete in the weight throw while Jason Swarens will compete in both events.

4. CLEARING THE BAR: A field of five Badgers will compete in the pole vault, including three multi-event competitors. Chandlar Ifft and Canon Melstrand lead the UW team while heptathletes Cade Amborn, Jack Herkert and Max Herkert will also compete. The multi-event athletes will have a busy weekend, competing in three events. In addition to the pole vault, they will also compete in the long jump and 60-meter hurdles.

5. CIRCLING THE TRACK: Wisconsin looks to perform well in the 600 meters and 800 meters. Colin Enz leads UW in the 600 where he has run 1:18.34, which would rank him in the top five of the Big Ten this season. He will be joined in the three lapper by Robby Hatch, Liam Belson and Quinn Lansill. In the 800 meters, Ansel Fellman leads the Wisconsin while Hatch is also entered in the event.