COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The Wisconsin men's track and field saw four student-athletes - Adam Spencer, Jalen Williams, Andrew Casey and Patrick HIlby - earn top-12 finishes at the NCAA West First Round on Friday to advance to the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships next month. 

STELLAR SPENCER
Spencer, a 2024 Olympian, was the first Badger to advance to the NCAA outdoor championships on Friday thanks to a runner-up showing in the second section of the 1500 meters.

Spencer was smooth throughout the race, moving into the front of the pack midway through the competition before cruising to a time of 3 minutes, 46.78 seconds. 

The senior will compete in the semifinals of the 1500 meters at the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships on Wednesday, June 11 at 6:21 p.m CT. 

JOLTIN' JALEN
Jalen Williams kept his standout season rolling, clocking a 45.78 in the 400 meters quarterfinals to punch his ticket to the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships. Racing in heat two, Williams placed third to automatically qualify and finished eighth overall in the event. 

The Big Ten runner-up will compete in the 400 meter semifinals at the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships on Wednesday, June 11 at 7:41 p.m.

800 PAIR PUNCH TICKETS TO EUGENE
Parick Hilby and Andrew Casey are headed to the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships after producing clutch performances in the 800 meters at the NCAA quarterfinals. Both Badgers ran personal bests of 1:47.30. In Heat One, Casey took fourth, 11th overall, to clinch a time qualification in the event. This will be the Lakeville, Minnesota, native's second appearance at the outdoor national competition in the 800 meters. Freshman Hilby won his heat, placing tenth overall to snatch his first individual national qualification. 

The pair will compete in the semifinals at the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships on Wednesday, June 11 at 7:58 p.m.

Bob Liking wrapped up his legendary career as a Badger in the 5000 meters as the senior was eighth in his section and 14th overall, finishing the 12 ½-lap race in 13:36.69, narrowly missing out on advancing to the NCAA outdoor championships. The St. Charles, Illinois, native was UW's Big Ten Medal of Honor recipient, one of the highest honors given by the conference. Liking was a four-time Big Ten Cross Country Champion and a five-time All-American during his time as a Badger. 

Matan Ivri was 24th in the 5000 meters in 13:50.93 as it marked the first time Ivri has competed at the NCAA West First Round. Rowen Ellenberg was close behind in 13:55.15 to finish 29th in his final race for the Cardinal and White. The 2020 Big Ten Cross Country Freshman of the  Year earned three All-Big Ten honors during his time for UW. 

Christian de Vaal and Johnny Livingstone also made their NCAA West First Round debuts for UW, finishing in 32nd and 35th, respectively. 

After advancing in the shot put on Wednesday, Joseph White came close to advancing in the discus on Friday. The Kenosha native ultimately finished in 18th thanks to a mark of 186 feet, 11 inches (56.98m). Jake Schaefer capped off his junior campaign with a 24th-place finish in the discus thanks to a mark of 183-6 (56.98m). 

Nick Gilles wrapped up his redshirt freshman season with a 39th-place finish in the steeplechase. The Penn Relays runner-up clocked in at 9:15.87. 

UP NEXT: Five UW women will be in action on Saturday during the final day of the NCAA West First Round. Taylor Kesner and Zonica Lindeque will throw the discus at 1 p.m., while Kyla Saleh will high jump at 3:30 p.m. CT. Emma Kelley will race the quarterfinals of the 800 meters at 7:05 p.m. and Leane Willemse will close out the competition in the 5000 meters at 8:10 p.m. 

The Wisconsin men will send seven student-athletes - Cole Hooper (hammer throw), Jason Swarens (shot put), Joseph White (shot put), Williams (400 meters), Casey (800 meters), Hilby (800 meters) and Spencer (1500 meters) - to the NCAA Outdoor Championships, June 11-14, in Eugene, Oregon. UW's seven men are the most the program has had since 2013. 

NCAA West First Round
Friday, May 30, 2025
E.B. Cushing Stadium 
College Station, Texas

400 Meters
8. Jalen Williams - 45.78 Q

800 Meters
10. Patrick Hilby - 1:47.30 Q PB
11. Andrew Casey - 1:47.30 q PB

1500 Meters 
13. Adam Spencer - 3:46.78 Q

5000 Meters
14. Bob Liking - 13:36.69
24. Matan Ivri - 13:50.93
29. Rowen Ellenberg - 13:55.15
32. Christian de Vaal - 14:01.34
35. Johnny Livingstone - 14:03.76

Steeplechase
39. Nick Gilles - 9:15.87

Discus
18. Joseph White - 186-11 (56.98m)
24. Jake Schaefer - 183-6 (55.94m)