Ivri, Risser lead Badgers on Day 1 of Big Ten Indoor Championships

Thursday, February 26

Indianapolis, IN

10:30 AM

Wisconsin Badgers

Big Ten Indoor Championships

matan ivri running at big tens (runner-up 5k)

Ivri, Risser lead Badgers on Day 1 of Big Ten Indoor Championships

February 26, 2026 | Men's Track & Field

Ivri earns silver in 5k, Risser breaks school record in 600 meters

By: Dani Savin

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Wisconsin men's track and field team opened competition at the 2026 Big Ten Track and Field Indoor Championships on Thursday inside the Indiana State Fairgrounds, highlighted by a school record performance from Henry Risser and a podium finish from Matan Ivri.

Risser delivered one of the top performances of the day in the 600 meters, clocking a school-record 1:16.50 to place sixth overall and qualify for the final. Zion Omotesa added to the momentum in the event, finishing 10th in 1:17.18, the No. 3 mark in program history.

In the 200 meters, Joshua Onwunili led the Badgers with a 15th-place finish in 21.38, followed closely by Micah Walker in 17th at 21.39.

The distance crew found success in the 5000 meters as Matan Ivri earned silver, scoring eight points, with a time of 13:49.21. Johnny Livingstone crossed the line in 14:15.38 to take 17th, followed by Nick Gilles and Micah Wilson, who placed 19th and 21st with times of 14:16.38 and 14:21.50 respectively.

Wisconsin's distance medley relay team of Liam Newhart, Zion Omotesa, Andrew Casey and Archie Noakes placed fourth overall, crossing the line in 9:41.00 to secure five points for the Cardinal and White.

In the heptathlon, Darius Jones II sits fifth after four events with 3,069 points. He opened the day with a sixth-place finish in the 60 meters with a time of 7.07 and added an eighth-place mark in the long jump at 23 feet, 2 ½ inches (7.07m). Jones cleared 6-4 ¾ (1.95m) in the high jump to finish fourth and placed eighth in the shot put with a heave of 40-3 ½ (12.28m).

Jack Schmeling stands 11th overall with 2,884 points. He posted a personal best in the shot put to win the event with a throw of 46-10 (14.27m) and added another personal best in the high jump, clearing 6-3 ½ (1.92m). Schmeling also recorded marks of 7.33 in the 60 meters and 20-5 ¾ (6.24m) in the long jump.

After Day 1, Oregon leads the field with 29 points, followed by Wisconsin with 13 points and Michigan with 11 points.

Up Next: The Badgers continue competition at the 2026 Big Ten Track and Field Indoor Championships on Friday in Indianapolis. The first event begins at 10:30 a.m. CT. on Friday. The meet will wrap up on Saturday.

2026 Big Ten Track and Field Indoor Championships
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Indianapolis, Indiana

Team Scores
1. Oregon, 29
2. Wisconsin, 13
3. Michigan, 11
4. Penn State, 10
5. Washington, 9
6. Purdue, 3
7. UCLA, 2
8. Michigan State, 1

Results
200 Meters
Semifinals
15. Joshua Onwunili, 21.38
17. Micah Walker, 21.39

600 Meters
Semifinals
6. Henry Risser, 1:16.50 q School Record
10. Zion Omotesa, 1:17.18, No. 3 School History

5000 Meters
2. Matan Ivri, 13:49.21
17. Johnny Livingstone, 14:15.38
19. Nick Gilles, 14:16.38
21. Micah Wilson, 14:21.50

Distance Medley Relay
4. Newhart, Omotesa, Casey, Noakes, 9:41.00

Heptathlon (Day 1)
5. Darius Jones II, 3069
11. Jack Schmeling, 2884

Heptathlon 60 Meters
6. Darius Jones II, 7.07
16. Jack Schemling, 7.33

Heptathlon Long Jump
8. Darius Jones II, 23-2 ½ (7.07m)
17. Jack Schmeling, 20-5 ¾ (6.24m)

Heptathlon Shot Put
1. Jack Schemling, 46-10 (14.27m) PB
8. Darius Jones II, 40-3 ½ (12.28m)

Heptathlon High Jump
4. Darius Jones II, 6-4 ¾ (1.95m)
5. Jack Schmeling, 6-3 ½ (1.92m) PB