Wisconsin Badgers
Big Ten Indoor Championships
Badgers open 2026 Big Ten Indoor Championships with strong 5K showing
February 26, 2026 | Women's Track & Field
Willemse runs a PR en route to a fifth-place finish on Thursday
INDIANAPOLIS - The Wisconsin women's track and field team had a successful first day of Big Ten Championships in Indianapolis, highlighted by personal bests and a top-10 mark.
Leané Willemse ran a personal-best time of 15 minutes, 55.01 seconds in the 5000 meters to finish fifth in the loaded field. That time ranks No. 7 on the school's top-10 list. She was followed by Kylie Finger, who finished eighth overall, running the race in 16:04.45
Multi-event athletes Kyla Saleh and Shaina Zinter competed in their second pentathlon of the season, placing ninth and 10th overall.Â
Saleh had a notable showing in the high jump, jumping her season best of 5 feet, 7 inches (1.7m). She followed that performance, throwing her personal best in shot put, with a mark of 37-6 (11.43m). Her impressive showing continued in the long jump, earning her seasonal best, 18-1 (5.51m).
Zinter also had success on day one of the Big Ten Championships, jumping her personal best in the long jump with a jump of 18-3 ¼ (5.57m). Zinter finished her dynamic day with a third place finish in the 800 meters, crossing the finish line in 2:28.97.Â
The sprinters continued the momentum, with two personal bests from Lucianna Aizpurua and Catalina Sanchious in the 200 meter trials. Aizpurua finished with a time of 24.98, followed by Robinson's 25.00 and Sanchious' 25.11.Â
UP NEXT: The Badgers will look to continue their success on day two of the Big Ten Championships, starting at 10:20 a.m. CT. The event is scheduled to start with the women's weight throw. Other events to look forward to tomorrow include the women's long jump, high jump and 60 meters. The link to the streaming of the meet can be found here and live results are available here. Â
Big Ten Championships
Thursday, February 26, 2026Â
Indianapolis, IndianaÂ
200 Meter Semifinals
24. Lucianna Aizpurua - 24.98 PB
25. Sydney Robinson - 25.00
26. Catalina Sanchious - 25.11 PB
5,000 Meters:Â
5. Leané Willemse - 15:55.01 PB
8. Kylie Finger - 16:04.45Â
Pentathlon:Â
9. Kyla Saleh - 3828
10. Shaina Zinter - 3786
Pent. 60 Meter Hurdles:Â
14. Kyla Saleh - 8.85 (941)
15. Shaina Zinter - 8.90 (931)
Pent. High Jump:Â
4. Kyla Saleh - 5-7 (1.7m) (855) – SB
18. Shaina Zinter - 5-1 (1.55m) (678)
Pent. Shot Put:
11. Kyla Saleh - 37-6 (11.43m) (623) – PB
16. Shaina Zinter - 35-4 ½ (10.78m) (581)
Pent. Long Jump:Â
12. Shaina Zinter - 18-3 ¼ (5.57m) (720) – PB
13. Kyla Saleh- 18-1 (5.51m) (703) – SB
Pent. 800 Meters:Â Â
3. Shaina Zinter - 2:16.68 (876)
14. Kyla Saleh - 2:28.97 (706)
Players Mentioned
