MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin men's track and field team competes in two meets this weekend, including the Red Hawk Open in Ripon, Wisconsin, on Jan. 19 and the Larry Wieczorek Invite at Iowa from Jan.19-20. The team will send select sprinters, distance and hurdlers to Iowa while throwers will compete in Ripon. Field events in Iowa begin at 11:00 a.m. and throwing events in Ripon start at 4:30 p.m.

1. LAST TIME OUT: The Badgers played host last weekend at the Wisconsin Midwest Invitational in Chicago. It was the first of two meets UW will hold in the Windy City this indoor season, and saw Wisconsin win five events. Distance had another strong day as the Badgers swept the podium on the mile, finishing 1-2-3. Davidson grad transfer Joe dosReis won the event at 4:04.86 as he continues to make an impact early in his UW track career. Throwers made their debut last, as Andrew Stone won the shot put with a heave of 62 feet. ½ inch (18.91m). Jason Swarens was close in second at 61 feet (18.59m). Swarens also finished a team-best second in the weight throw with a toss of 65 feet, 9 1/2 inches (20.05m). 

2. FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH: Five true freshmen runners competed at last week's affair and the team's youth continues to shine early on. JJ Williams won the 800-meter title while Lakeville, Minnesota, native Andrew Casey finished second in the 600m after winning the mile a week prior. Casey's high school teammate Bryce Stachewicz has finished second in the mile for the second time in two meets, coming behind dosReis at 4:06.52. Nick Gilles and Liam Newhart made their debuts last week, running the 3000 meters unattached. Gilles won the event, finishing in 8 minutes and 12.9 seconds. Newhart trailed right behind, finishing second at 8:14.82.

3. GIO's WORLD: Sprinter/hurdler Giovanni Wearing has got off to a hot start for UW to open up his sophomore campaign. A native of Ashburn, Virginia, Wearing set a personal best in his 60 hurdles victory after finishing in 7.81 seconds, a time that is tied for third on the Badgers' top-10 list. Wearing also set a personal record in the 60 meters, crossing the line in 6.91 seconds in the prelims before finishing sixth in the final with the same time. Wearing is slated to compete this week in Iowa.

4. FOLLOW THE ACTION: Fans can follow the action on Twitter and Instagram @BadgerTrackXC and can ​​find a recap following the meet at UWBadgers.com.

5. UP NEXT: The Badgers are set to compete in two meets next weekend as select student-athletes will compete at the Simmons-Harvey Invite on Jan. 26, while a portion of the team will head to New York for the Columbia Challenge on Jan. 26-27.