Wisconsin Badgers
NCAA Outdoor Championships
Swarens, Spencer lead Badgers on Day 1 in Eugene
June 05, 2024 | Men's Track & Field
Jason Swarens earns silver in shot put at NCAA outdoor championships
EUGENE, Ore. – Wisconsin men's track and field senior Jason Swarens earned runner-up in the shot put while Adam Spencer punched his ticket to Friday's 1500-meter final to highlight action for the Badgers on the opening day of the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field.
Swarens finds silver in shot put
In the Badgers' first final of the NCAA championships, Swarens didn't disappoint thanks to his second-place in the shot put.
Swarens unleashed a throw of 66 feet, 10 ½ inches (20.38 meters) to take home silver in the event. It was a season-best mark for the senior as he narrowly fell to Ole Miss sophomore Tarik Robinson-O'Hagan, who won with a toss of 67-0 (20.42 meters).
It marked the Badgers' best finish in the outdoor men's shot put since Samuel Behr finished runner-up in the 1931 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships
The Terre Haute, Indiana, native captured his second first-team All-America honor of the 2024 campaign after finishing fourth in the indoor shot put. It also marked his third career All-America accolade.Â
Spencer advances to Friday's Final
Adam Spencer punched his ticket to Friday's 1500 meter championship race after finishing second overall and earning the big Q at 3:37.32. The junior was in control throughout the entire race that featured 11 of the 12 athletes from the NCAA West Region. The Australian 1500 meter champion will race on Friday at 8:12 p.m. CT for the NCAA title.
Giovanni Wearing concluded a strong sophomore campaign in the 110 meter hurdles as an honorable mention All-American. The Virginia native finished 19th in the nation at 13.76. He ends his 2024 season as the Big Ten Champion in the 60-meter hurdles, the Big Ten runner-up in the 110 meter hurdles and second-team All-American in the 60 hurdles.Â
Freshman Andrew Casey capped off his freshman campaign with honorable mention All-America accolades thanks to a 21st-place showing in the 800 meters. The Lakeville, Minnesota, native took fifth in his section in 1:49.59. It marks his second All-America honor of the season as she collected All-America honors as a member of UW's distance medley relay during the indoor season.Â
Straight From the Track
Jason Swarens on his runner-up finish in the shot put
"It felt good, I good tell it was a good throw coming off my hand and it felt great. I had a great warm-up so it was a really good day."
Adam Spencer on Advancing to NCAA Championship Finals
"The field was incredible but I saw this as a really good opportunity to practice going through the rounds on the biggest stage. It's good to treat the semifinal as a final and have to go back two days later. To me, It was just good practice and I felt good today so hopefully I feel just as good in the final."
Up Next: Olivia Roberts will be the lone Badger in action on Thursday as the senior will take part in the women's hammer throw at 5 p.m. CT. Fans can watch her compete live on ESPN+.
On Friday, two Badgers will be in action as Adam Spencer will compete in the final of the 1500 meters at 8:12 p.m. CT and Jackson Sharp will race in the final of the 5000 meters at 9:55 p.m. CT. Both races can be seen live on ESPN2.
NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships
Wednesday, June 5, 2024
Hayward Field
Eugene, Ore.
Day 1 Results
800 Meters
21. Andrew Casey - 1:49.59
1500 Meters
2. Adam Spencer - 3:37.32 (Q)
110 Meter Hurdles
19. Giovanni Wearing - 13.76
Shot Put
2. Jason Swarens - 66-10 ½ (20.38m)
Players Mentioned
