COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The Wisconsin women's track and field duo of Emma Kelley and Taylor Kesner punched their tickets for the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Saturday at the NCAA West First Round.

Kelley ran a personal-best time and the No. 3 mark in school history to advance in the 800 meters while Kesner threw the No. 2 mark in program history in the discus. 

EMMA TO EUGENE
A four-time champion in the 800 meters at the Division III level at WashU, Kelley advanced to her first NCAA championship at the Division I level thanks to a historic performance on Saturday. 

Kelley finished fourth in the third section of the 800 in 2 minutes, 1.87 seconds, a personal-best mark and the No. 3 time in school history, to advance to the NCAA outdoor championships. Her time was the sixth-fastest time during the evening and was almost a second faster than her previous-best mark.

Only UW legends Suzy Favor and Amy Wickus have run faster 800 meter-times in program history than Kelley. 

Kelly will compete in the semifinals of the 800 meters on Thursday, June 12 at 7:58 p.m. CT while the final will take place on Saturday, June 14 at 9:14 p.m. CT. 

KESNER CONTINUES EXCELLENCE
Taylor Kesner's stellar showings continued on Saturday afternoon, as the Highland, Illinois, native qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in a second event—earning a mark of 189 feet, 8 inches (57.83m).

She moved to No. 2 all-time in school history in the process, in addition to becoming the only athlete this season to advance to the NCAA Championships in both the discus and javelin. In Texas, Kesner wrapped up her first-ever regional appearance with a pair of personal bests.

Kesner will throw the javelin on Thursday, June 12 at 7:15 p.m. CT and the discus at 7:40 p.m. CT on Saturday, June 14, 2025. 

Zonica Lindeque got the discus started with a personal best and third-place finish in her heat—tallying a throw of 174-2 (53.10m) to cap off a quality season in the circle. That mark ranks No. 7 in school history. She would go on to finish in 21st overall after entering the meet as the No. 48 seed. 

Leane Willemse wrapped up her junior campaign in the 5000 meters, finishing in 27th overall with a time of 16:26.15.

In her NCAA West First Round debut, Kyla Saleh tied for 36th after clearing 5-7 ¼ (1.71m). 

Up Next: Three UW women will compete at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, June 11-14, in Eugene, Oregon. Chloe Lindeman will throw the hammer on Thursday, June 12 while Kesner will compete in javelin on Thursday, June 12 and the discus on Saturday, June 14. Emma Kelley will compete in the 800 meters on Thursday, June 12 with the final to take place on Saturday, June 14. All field events will be streamed on ESPN+ while running events will air live on the ESPN family of networks. 

NCAA West First Round
E.B Cushing Stadium
Saturday, May 31, 2025
College Station, Texas

800 Meters
6. Emma Kelley - 2:01.87, PR, No. 3 in UW history 

5000 Meters
27. Leané Willemse- 16:26.15

High Jump
T-36. Kyla Saleh - 5-7 1/4 (1.71m)

Discus
5. Taylor Kesner - 189-8 (57.83m)
21. Zonica Lindeque - 174-2 (53.10m)