PHILADELPHIA, Pa. –  The Wisconsin women's track and field team set five personal bests and a section win during the opening day of the Penn Relays on Thursday evening at historic Franklin Field. 

Graduate student Victoria Heiligenthal started the night by winning the second heat of the women's 1500 meters. She finished 10th overall, crossing in 4 minutes,19.37 seconds, beating Madison Trippet of Richmond by .07. Heiligenthal's time ranks 13th in the Big Ten Conference.

Junior Kylie Finger joined Heiligenthal in the 1500 meters, finishing fifth in the second heat and 18th overall with a personal best time of 4:21.75. 

Three Badgers picked up personal best marks in the second heat of the 5000 meters. Bella Jacobsen led the group with a second-place finish, crossing with a personal best time of 16:14.59, which ranks her No.15 in the Big Ten. Vivian Hacker finished fourth with a time of 16:23.55, followed by Carolyn Shult, finishing fifth in 16:26.07, both times were personal bests for the graduate students. Shea Ruhly was the fourth Badger to finish, coming in sixth, crossing in 16:27.19. 

Maggie Munson competed in her second steeplechase race of the season, setting a new personal best that shaved 10 seconds off her previous best mark. She finished eighth in the second heat, crossing at 10:38.78, which places her No.11 this season in the Big Ten.  

Up Next
UW field-event athletes and sprinters will open up competition at the Texas Invitational on Friday in Austin, Texas. UW has no entries at the Penn Relays on Friday, but will wrap up action at Penn on Saturday with the 4x1500-meter relay at 11:30 a.m. CT.

Penn Relays
Thursday, April 25, 2024
Franklin Field, Philadelphia

1500 Meters
10. Victoria Heiligenthal - 4:19.37
18. Kylie Finger - 4:21.75 PR

5000 Meters
14. Bella Jacobsen 16:14.59 PR
18. Vivian Hacker - 16:23.55 PR 
19. Carolyn Shult - 16:26.07 PR
20. Shea Ruhly - 16:27.19
55. Samantha Stieve - 17:25.32 

3000 Meter Steeplechase
20. Maggie Munson - 10:38.78 PR