Badgers compete around the world

MADISON, Wis. – It was a historic weekend for past and current Wisconsin track and field standouts as Alicia Monson broke the American record in the 5000 meters, Adam Spencer smashed the UW record in the 1500 meters, and three Badgers earned medals at the 2023 North America Central America and Caribbean Under-23 Championships.

Records fall in London

Rising junior Adam Spencer got the day started for the Badgers on Sunday as he set a school record in the 1500 meters at the Diamond League in London, crossing the line in 3 minutes, 31.81 seconds. The previous school record was 3:34.63 set by Oliver Hoare during the 2020 season. Spencer was a late add to the meet after Hoare pulled out of the meet the day prior.

A first-team All-American in the 1500 meters this past spring, Spencer's time on Sunday puts him No. 4 on the Australian all-time list and makes him the No. 6 performer in NCAA history in the 1500 meters. The mark of 3:31.81 also is a qualifying time for the 2023 World Athletics Championships and the 2024 Summer Olympics.

Minutes after Spencer set a new school record, Badger legend Monson broke the American record in the 5000 meters, crossing the line in 14:19.45 in London to place fifth. The U.S. runner-up in both the 5000 and 10,000 meters this season, Monson broke her previous best of 14:31.11 set last year and broke Shelby Houlihan's previous U.S. record of 14:23.92 from the 2020 season.

A native of Amery, Wisconsin, Monson also holds the American record in the indoor 3000 meters and the outdoor 10,000 meters, and is the North American record holder in the 3000 meters, 5000 meters and 10,000 meters.

Three Badgers medal at NACAC U23 Championships

On Saturday, three Badgers earned medals in their respective events at the NACAC U23 Championship.

Jason Swarens got the day started as he earned a silver medal in the shot put. The redshirt junior finished with a distance of 62 feet, 5 inches. A native of Terre Haute, Indiana, Swarens is the UW outdoor school record holder in the event with a throw of 67-4 ¾.

Star hurdler Destiny Huven competed in the 100-meter hurdles. The Milwaukee native earned herself a bronze medal crossing in 13.19. Huven leaves UW as the school record holder in the event with a time of 12.82.

Abdullahi Hassan earned a third-place medal in the mixed 4x400-meter relay for Team Canada on Saturday as the quartet finished in 3:25.42. On Sunday, Hassan took fourth in the 800 meters thanks to a time of 1:47.63.

Sunset Tour and Luzern

Morgan McDonald, a four-time NCAA champion while at UW, made his return to the track on Saturday at the Sound Running Sunset Tour in Los Angeles as the Australian placed fourth in the 5000 meters in 13:24.54. It marked his first race in almost a year.

Fellow former Badger Brenna Detra also competed at the Sound Running Sunset Tour as the three-time All-American was second in the 800 meters in 2:00.68.

Olin Hacker, the 2022 NCAA champion in the outdoor 5000 meters, placed second in the 3000 meters at Luzern on Thursday, crossing the line in 7:38.10. It came just days after he set a personal best in the 5000 meters of 13:09.94 at the KBC Night of Athletics on July 15.

Diamond League - London
July 23, 2023
London Stadium, London

Women's 5000 meters
5. Alicia Monson - 14:19.45 (American Record)

Men's 1500 meters
12. Adam Spencer - 3:31.81 (School Record)

NACAC U-23 Championships
July 21-23, 2023
San Jose National Stadium, San Jose, Costa Rica

Men's 800 meters
4. Abdullahi Hassan - 1:47.63

Men's shot put
2. Jason Swarens - 62-5

Mixed 4x400 Mixed Relay
3. Abdullahi Hassan - 3:25.42

Women's 100 meter-hurdles
3. Destiny Huven - 13.19

Sound Running Sunset Tour
July 22, 2023
Los Angeles, California

Men's 5000 Meters
4. Morgan McDonald - 13:24.54

Women's 800 Meters
2. Brenna Detra - 2:00.68

Spitzen Leichtathletik Luzern
Lucerne, Switzerland
July 20, 2023

Men's 3000 meters
2. Olin Hacker - 7:38:10

University of Wisconsin Athletics