COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Wisconsin women's track and field standouts Chloe Lindeman and Taylor Kesner each advanced to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships thanks to their top-12 finishes on Thursday at the NCAA West First Round at E.B. Cushing Stadium.

Lindeman took sixth in the hammer throw while Kesner was 11th in the javelin.

CLUTCH CHLOE
Senior Chloe Lindeman was the first Badger to advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championships after a sixth-place finish in the hammer throw on Thursday.

Lindeman launched the hammer 212 feet (64.62 meters) to earn one of 12 qualifying spots from the NCAA West First Round competition. 

A three-time All-American in the indoor weight throw, Lindeman will make her NCAA outdoor debut on Thursday, June 12 at 3:30 p.m. CT

"Regionals is by far the most challenging meet mentally of the year," Lindeman said. "Going into this meet I was nervous but I kept telling myself 'You will do it and this isn't your last meet.' One last time for my heart and home, Wisconsin."

TERRIFIC TAYLOR
Taylor Kesner continued her impressive outdoor campaign by earning 11th place in the javelin on Thursday afternoon, earning a bid to the NCAA Championships. 

The Highland, Illinois, native turned in a mark of 171-10 (52.39m), notching the second-longest heave in school history. 

"It's a great start to the week," Kesner said. "We don't train javelin a whole lot so I wasn't sure how regionals would go, but I'm very happy with the result! Hitting a PB at regionals is always a good feeling. My eyes are on the school record next!

Kesner is fresh off of an individual national championship from the indoor season in the weight throw, and will have another chance at a title in a couple of weeks out in Eugene. She will compete in the javelin at the NCAA championships on Thursday, June 12 at 7:15 p.m. CT. 

Kesner is back in action on Saturday in College Station in the discus, which is set to start at 1:00 p.m. CT. 

Bella Jacobsen led the Badgers in the 10,000 meters as the Menomonie, Wisconsin, native finished 23rd in 35:03.45. Leane Willemse took 41st in her first of two races this weekend. 

Shea Ruhly was the top Badger for a majority of the race before bowing out of the competition. Ruhly wraps up her career at UW ranked No. 8 in the indoor 5000 meters, in addition to making two appearances at the NCAA West First Round. 

Emma Kelley made her NCAA West First Round debut and earned an automatic spot in Saturday's quarterfinal in the 800 meters thanks to a top-three finish in her heat. Kelley crossed the line in 2 minutes, 5.31 seconds to take third in her section and 14th overall. The St. Louis native will race again on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. 

In her NCAA West First Round debut, Zonica Lindeque took 17th with a heave of 52-8 ¼ (16.06m) while junior Danni Langseth was 32nd with a toss of 49-4 1/4 (15.04m)

In the women's 1500 meters, Mya Bunke and Kylie Finger finished in ninth and 11th, respectively, in the opening section of the event. 

Julia Moore made her second appearance at the NCAA West First Round, but was unable to clear a height in the competition. Moore wraps up her time at UW ranked fourth in school history in the indoor pole vault and third outdoors. 

Up Next: The Badgers continue action in the Lone Star State on Friday as 12 men's athletes will be in action looking to advance to the NCAA outdoor championships. Jake Schaefer and Joseph White will kick off action for UW in the discus at 1 p.m. CT. Adam Spencer will race in the 1500 quarterfinals at 5:15 p.m., Nick Gilles will compete in the steeplechase at 5:40 p.m. and Jalen Williams will run the 400 meters at 6:50 p.m. Andrew Casey and Patrick Hilby will compete in the 800 meters at 7:05 p.m. while the quintet of Bob Liking, Matan Ivri, Rowen Ellenberg, Christian de Vaal and Johnny Livingstone will run the 5000 meters at 8:10 p.m. 

On Saturday, five UW women will be in action. Kesner and Lindeque will throw the discus at 1 p.m., while Kyla Saleh will high jump at 3:30 p.m. CT. Kelley will race the quarterfinals of the 800 meters at 7:05 p.m. and Willemse will close out the competition in the 5000 meters at 8:10 p.m. 

NCAA West First Round
E.B Cushing Stadium
Thursday, May 29, 2025
College Station, Texas

800 Meters
14. Emma Kelley - 2:05.31 Q

1500 Meters
35. Mya Bunke - 4:26.89
41. Kylie Finger - 4:29.55


10,000 Meters
23. Bella Jacobsen - 35:03.45
41. Leané Willemse - 36:49.23
Shea Ruhly - DNF

Pole Vault
Julia Moore - NH

Shot Put
17. Zonica Lindeque - 52-8 1/4 (16.06m)
32. Danni Langseth - 49-4 1/4 (15.04m)

Hammer Throw
6. Chloe Lindeman - 212-0 (64.62m) 

Javelin
11. Taylor Kesner - 171-10 (52.39m) No. 2 in school history