ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Senior Wisconsin women's track and field standout Lexi Westley took third in the 10,000 meters to highlight action on the opening day of the 2024 Big Ten Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Friday.
The New Jersey, native, stayed with the leaders until around the 7600 meter-mark, before dropping back and ultimately outkicking a Michigan competitor for the medal. She finished the race in a season best time of 33 minutes, 33.31 seconds, which is good for an unofficial No. 22 spot in the NCAA West Region.
Carolyn Shult earned the Badgers one point with an eighth place finish at 34:07.31 in his first career 10,000 meters. Redshirt senior Shea Rhuly, competing in her first official 10K in two years, trailed close behind Shult in ninth at 34:08.28.
Roberts, Zinter enjoy stellar Fridays
Olivia Roberts picked up Wisconsin's first points of the championships with a fifth-place finish in the hammer throw. She unleashed a 208-3 (63.47m) toss to edge out athletes from Nebraska and Illinois in the top eight.
Asia Rave also qualified for the final on her third and final throw of trials. That throw of 194-10 (59.38m) was Rave's closing mark as she finished the day ninth overall.
Shaina Zinter made a statement on the first day of the heptathlon with a first-day score of 3,298 points and holds a 23 point lead over Maddie Pitts of Penn State after four events. Zinter started the heptathlon on a high note, winning the 100 hurdles in 13.91 seconds, the ninth-best time in school history. She followed that up with a clearance of 5-4 ¼ (1.63m) in the high jump, the third-best performance in the event. After throwing the shot 37-9 ¼ (11.51m), she closed the first day out with a runner-up showing in the 200 meters at 24.78.
In her first Big Ten outdoor meet, Kyla Saleh sits in 10th place in the heptathlon after Day 1 with a score of 2837. The Waunakee, native tied for third in the heptathlon high jump with a clearance of 5-4 ¼ (1.63m).
Trio Advance to Sunday's Final
Kiley Robbins unleashed a personal-best time of 23.75 in the 200 meters to earn the final spot in Sunday's final. Robbins' mark ranks fourth in program history.
A pair of Badgers punched their ticket to the finals in the 1500 meters as Maddie Mooney finished second in her section in 4:20.57 to automatically advance. Mooney's time was the second-fastest among the 25 competitors. Kylie Finger also advanced to Sunday's final as her time of 4:24.86 was the final time qualifier. Victoria Heiligenthal narrowly missed advancing as she was seventh in her section and 15th overall in 4:2615.
Up Next
Day two of the Big Ten Championships kicks off at 9:15 a.m. CT on Saturday, with the second day of the heptathlon. Field and running events begin at 12:20 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. CT, respectively.
Big Ten Championship
Friday, May 10, 2024
U-M Track and Field Stadium
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Team Scores
6. Wisconsin - 11 points
Finals
10,000 meters
3. Alexa Westley - 33:33.31, SB
8. Carolyn Shult - 34:07.31
9. Shea Ruhly - 34:08.28
Hammer throw
5. Olivia Roberts - 208-3 (63.47m)
9. Asia Rave - 194-10 (59.38m)
22. Danni Langseth - 167-8 (51.11m)
Trials
200 meters
9. Kiley Robbins - 23.75 (q), PR
1500 meters
2. Madison Mooney - 4:20.57 (Q)
12. Kylie Finger - 4:24.86 (q)
15.Victoria Heiligenthal - 4:26.15
400 meter hurdles
18. Karina Janik - 1:03.40
Heptathlon (After four events)
1. Shaina Zinter - 3,298
10. Kyla Saleh - 2,837
13. Maddie Hogan - 2,116
14. Mackenzie Heyroth - 1,371
100-meter hurdles
1. Shaina Zinter - 13.91, PR
9. Maddie Hogan - 14.95, (matched PR)
10. Kyla Saleh - 15.10
High jump
5. Shaina Zinter - 5-4 ¼ (1.63m)
7. Kyla Saleh - 5-4 ¼ (1.63m)
11. Mackenzie Heyroth - 5-1 ¾ (1.57m)
Maddie Hogan - NH
Shot put
4. Mackenzie Heyroth - 39-10 (12.14m)
7. Shaina Zinter - 37-9 ¼ (11.51m)
10. Kyla Saleh - 33-10 ¾ (10.33m)
12. Maddie Hogan - 31-3 ¼ (0.53m)
Heptathlon 200 meters
2. Shaina Zinter - 24.78
10. Maddie Hogan - 26.32
12. Kyla Saleh - 27.30
