Five things to know: Badgers host Wisconsin Midwest Invitational in Chicago

Saturday, January 10

Chicago, IL

1 PM

Wisconsin Badgers

Badger Midwest Invite

Jalen Williams running at Windy City Invite

Photo by: Maddox Durst

Five things to know: Badgers host Wisconsin Midwest Invitational in Chicago

January 05, 2026 | Men's Track & Field

Select sprinters, hurdlers and throwers are set to compete

By: Dani Savin

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin men's track and field team hosts the Wisconsin Midwest Invite in Chicago on Saturday. The team will send select sprinters, hurdlers and throwers to compete against DePaul, University of Illinois-Chicago, Chicago State University and Ball State. Throwing events begin at 1:00 p.m. CT.

1. OUT WITH THE OLD: 2024 ended on an exciting note as Wisconsin competed in two meets to begin the indoor season. Out East, Henry Risser won the 600 meters in his collegiate debut with a time of 1 minute, 17.09 seconds at the BU Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener. The true freshman wasted no time climbing the record books, moving up to No. 2 all time in the UW indoor ranks. In the mile, Andrew Casey and Patrick Hilby took third and sixth with times of 4:00.37 and 4:01.53 respectively, giving Wisconsin two top-six finishes in a deep field. Back in the Midwest, freshman Tonovila Hicks captured the 60-meter hurdles title with a time of 7.98, placing him No. 8 in the UW indoor record book. The Badgers earned three additional victories at the Cougars Alumni Invitational, as Jalen Williams posted a personal-best 33.94 in the 300 meters, Zion Ometesa clocked a 1:19.89 in the 600 meters and the 4x400 relay team of Farraj Al-Amin, Ometesa, Lorenzo Forsmann and Hicks ran a 3:21.33 to claim the title.

2. LOOKING BACK: Last year at the Wisconsin Midwest Invite, the Badgers claimed six event titles en route to a strong showing in Chicago. Elliott Harris led the way with a win in the 300 meters with a time of 33.59 seconds, while Giovanni Wearing captured the 60-meter hurdles crown in 8.00 seconds. Wisconsin also swept the pole vault, led by Hunter Cook, Augustus Counard-Ciechanowski and Nathan Nelson, each clearing 15 feet, 7 inches (4.75m). In the throws, Jason Swarens won the shot put with a mark of 62-2 ¼ (18.95m) and Joseph White took the weight throw at 70-9 ¾ (21.58m). The Badgers closed the meet with a victory in the 4x400 relay as Patrick Hilby, JJ Williams, Harris and Jalen Williams combined for a time of 3:21.29.

3. BACK IN THE WINDY CITY: The Badgers will host two events in Chicago this winter. Saturday's Invitational is followed by the Wisconsin Windy City Invite, Feb. 6-7. This marks the fifth-consecutive season Wisconsin has hosted two events in Chicago.

4. FOLLOW THE ACTION: Fans can follow the action on X and Instagram @BadgerTrackXC and can find a recap following the meet at UWBadgers.com.

5. UP NEXT: The Badgers are set to compete at the Indiana Invitational in Bloomington, Ind., Jan. 16-17