AUSTIN, Texas – Three members of the Wisconsin men's track and field team earned first-team All-American honors at the NCAA Outdoor Championships Friday night on the University of Texas campus in Austin, Texas. 

Adam Spencer collected his fourth career All-American honor thanks to a third-place finish in the 1500 meters, while Abdullahi Hassan collected his third All-American honors in the 800 meters, and Jackson Sharp rounded out night three collecting his third honor thanks to a third-place showing in the 5000 meters.

Thanks to the trio's finish, the Badgers placed 15th in the NCAA with 17 points and were the top finishing team from the Big Ten Conference. 

Sensational Spencer

In the first final of the evening for the Badgers, sophomore Spencer wrapped up a phenomenal season, placing third in the 1500 meters in 3 minutes, 42.98 seconds to earn first-team All-American honors. 

"I felt pretty good, Spencer said. "I had to make a pretty big move to hold the line in the last straight, I felt pretty good going into the home straight but those boys just came flying by. I'm pretty happy with how it went, I think it was a good performance today." 

The 2023 Big Ten Indoor Mile Champion, it marks the second-straight season Spencer has earned first-team All-America accolades as the Australian finished eighth in his NCAA outdoor debut a year ago. 

Hustling Hassan

Hassan finished fourth in the final of the 800 meters. Turning into the final 200 meters, Hassan made a move to go from sixth to fourth-place to collect first-team All-American honors in 1:46.30. 

"I wasn't really supposed to be in the final, I didn't run well in the prelims," Hassan admitted. "I honestly didn't think I really deserved to be in the finals, but I was able to get a second chance and really prove myself and I was able to do so closing in 52 seconds. And so I am definitely happy with how I raced and competed Badger strong."

It marks the second time that Hassan has earned first-team All-America honors this season as the Toronto native was a part of UW's distance medley relay that placed third at the 2023 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships 

Stellar Sharp

Sharp also earned first-team All-American honors, as he took bronze in the 5000 meters. The Australian started towards the back of the pack of the 12.5 lap race, but made a move halfway through to the front of the pack. A native of Wentworth Falls, Australia, Sharp crossed in 14:06.77. 

The 2022 Big Ten Cross Country Athlete of the Year, Sharp was the 2023 Big Ten Champion in the 1500 meters and was a member of 2023 NCAA Indoor Championships first-team All-American DMR squad that finished third. 

Straight from the Track

"In the space of two hours tonight Adam, Abdullahi, and Jackson showed that they can compete at the highest level," UW Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Mick Byrne said.  "I'm extremely proud of them. They each put themselves in position to compete to win a national title. I'm especially proud of Abdullahi  who squeaked in to the final by a disqualification and proved tonight that he belonged in the race. Before the race I told him that he needed to take advantage of this opportunity. He certainly did that with a great fourth place finish in 1:46. Adam did all he could to win that 1500 meter final. He was never outside the top three, keeping an eye on what was happening throughout the race and he did a super job covering all the moves. His final 400 was 52.23, his fastest close all year, but it was just not enough tonight as he placed third in 3:42.98. In a slow tactical 5K final with several sub-13:20 guys it was always going to wind up into a barn-burner over the last mile. Jackson covered every move covering the last 1600 meters in 4:05 for a strong finish. These finishes helped our program finish out the year with a Top 15 NCAA finish!"

Up Next

The Badgers close out the 2023 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Saturday as Josie Schaefer throws the discus at 7:35 p.m. CT. Fans can watch her live on ESPN+

2023 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships
Friday, June 9
Mike A. Myers Stadium, Austin, Texas

800 Meters
4. Abdullahi Hassan - 1:46.30

1500 Meters
3. Adam Spencer - 3:42.98

5000 Meters
3. Jackson Sharp - 14:06.77