Distance shines during day of personal bests in Michigan

Saturday, January 27

Ann Arbor, MI

8:30 AM

Wisconsin Badgers

Michigan Invitational

Photo by: Paul Capobianco

Distance shines during day of personal bests in Michigan

January 27, 2024 | Men's Track & Field

Bob Liking became the 11th UW athlete to run a sub-4 minute mile

By: Charlie Parent

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The UW men's track & field team won four events on Day 2 of the Michigan Invitational, headlined by senior Bob Liking's record day in the mile.

Liking, a three-time Big Ten champion in cross country, recorded a personal best in the mile at 3:58.48 and ultimately finished third in the event. He became the 11th Wisconsin athlete in indoor history to run a sub-4 minute mile. The time is also good for seventh on the school's top-10 list.

A host of Badgers followed up Liking in the mile, including Pierce Seigne, who recorded a personal best and placed ninth at 4:03.25. Benjamin Nibbelink finished in 11th at 4:03.30, setting his own personal best in the event, while Rowen Ellenberg did the same, finishing 15th at 4:06.57.

Micah Wilson was another notable distance runner after he set a personal best in the 3000 meters at 8:03.99.

The stars were out in the middle distance as Abdullahi Hassan and Adam Spencer recorded top-three finishes in the 800 meters. Hassan won the race, beating the field by over a second at 1:47.90, en route to the fourth fastest time in Division I this season. Spencer finished in third at 1:49.83, while freshman Andrew Casey placed fourth, collecting a new personal best of 1:49.92.

On the sprints side, Jalen Williams had another strong day as he won his second event of the weekend. Williams took home the 400 meters at 47.80 after winning the 600 meters yesterday in 1 minute and 20.14 seconds. After qualifying yesterday, Sam Amusan finished fourth in the 60-meter sprint in 6.92 seconds.

Hassan, Casey, Williams and Amusan teamed up in the 4x400 relay and the group won the event in 3 minutes and 14.79 seconds. The relay team beat second-place Michigan by over 1.5 seconds.

In the remaining field events, Andrew Stone stole the show in the shot put. He won the event while recording a season-best with a heave of 62 feet and 10 inches (19.15m). Jason Swarens finished third in the shot put with a toss of 61 feet, 3 inches (18.67m). Finally, Justin Kiefel finished second in the triple jump with a leap of 47 feet, 9 ¾ inches (14.57m).

Day 2 also marked the conclusion of the heptathlon, as athletes Lucas Heyroth and Quinn Lansill competed throughout the weekend and earned top-three finishes.

Heyroth was strong in the 60-meter as he finished second at 8.26, while Lansill put up his best performance in the pole vault, placing second with a jump of 13 feet, 1 ½ inches (4.00m).

Heyroth finished second overall in the competition with 5,025 points, just 142 points shy of the top spot. Lansill followed close behind in third with 4,780 points to close out the weekend.

Up Next: A couple of Badgers will travel to New Mexico on Feb. 2 for the New Mexico Collegiate Classic, while some head to Boston for the Bruce Lahene Scarlet & White Invite. The team will return to full strength on Feb. 9 as UW hosts the Windy City Invite in Chicago at the Gately Park Track.

Michigan Invitational
Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Results

60 Meters
4. Sam Amusan - 6.92

200 Meters
5. Sam Amusan - 21.62

400 Meters
1. Jalen Williams - 47.80

800 Meters
1. Abdullahi Hassan - 1:47.90
3. Adam Spencer - 1:49.83
4. Andrew Casey - 1:49.92, PR

Mile
3. Bob Liking - 3:58.48, PR
9. Pierce Seigne - 4:03.25, PR
11. Benjamin Nibbelink - 4:03.30, PR
15. Rowen Ellenberg - 4:06.57, PR
16. Bryce Stachewicz - 4:07.03
18. Max Hartke - 4:10.18
21. Evan Bishop - 4:11.49