
Badgers sweep javelin titles at Drake Relays
April 25, 2026 | Men's Track & Field, Women's Track & Field
Kesner, Zednik win in Des Moines, Onwunili finishes runner-up at Penn Relays
MADISON, Wis. – It was a banner day for the Wisconsin track and field program on Saturday at two of the most historic meets in the U.S. as Taylor Kesner and Jacob Zednik each won javelin titles at the 116th running of the Drake Relays while Joshua Onwunili took second in the 100-meter dash at the Penn Relays.
DRAKE RELAYS
Taylor Kesner capped off her weekend with a win in the championship women's javelin at historic Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa. The senior won the Drake Relays Flag with a mark of 161 feet, 11 inches (49.35m), becoming the first Badger to win the women's javelin at America's Athletic Classic and the first Badger female to win a field event since Pat Johnson won the long jump in 1981.
Hours later, Jacob Zednik won the championship men's javelin with a season-best toss of 229-0 (69.81) meters. Zednik is the first Badger man to win the javelin at the Drake Relays
UW became only the fourth school to sweep the javelin at the Drake Relays, joining Nebraska (1989 and 2024), Iowa (2003) and Wayland Baptist (1985).
In the women's hammer throw, Wisconsin saw a pair of solid finishes in the university section as Morgan Flaska led the way with a ninth-place mark of 178-7 (54.44m). Close behind, Nora Skoraczewski placed 11th with a throw of 174-8 (53.25m), giving the Badgers two competitors inside the top 12.
PENN RELAYS
Joshua Onwunili took second in the 100 meters at Franklin Field as the sophomore crossed the line 10.35 seconds, 0.01 behind Gary Card of UTech. Onwunili beat Houston's Louie Hinchliffe, a 2024 Olympian for Great Britain, who took third in 10.40.
The Badger quartet of Patrick Hilby, Liam Newhart, Archie Noakes, Matan Ivri took fifth in the 4xMile Relay, clocking in at 16:19.64. That time ranks fourth in program history in the event as UW was led by Ivri, who dropped a 3:56.00 final leg to lead UW to the top-5 finish.
Up Next: UW returns to Madison to host the Badger Challenge on Friday at the McClimon Track and Field Complex. Field events are slated to start at noon.
Penn Relays
Saturday, April 25
Franklin Field, Philadelphia
Men's 100 Meters
2. Joshua Onwunili, 10.35
Men's 4xMile Relay
5. Patrick Hilby, Liam Newhart, Archie Noakes, Matan Ivri, 16:19.64
Drake Relays
Saturday April 25, 2026
Drake Stadium, Des Moines, Iowa
Women's Hammer Throw - University
9. Morgan Flaska, 178-7 (54.44m)
11. Nora Skoraczewski, 174-8 (53.25m)
Men's Javelin - Championship
1. Jacob Zednik, 229-0 (69.81)
Women's Javelin - Championship
1. Taylor Kesner, 161-11 (49.35m)
DRAKE RELAYS
Taylor Kesner capped off her weekend with a win in the championship women's javelin at historic Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa. The senior won the Drake Relays Flag with a mark of 161 feet, 11 inches (49.35m), becoming the first Badger to win the women's javelin at America's Athletic Classic and the first Badger female to win a field event since Pat Johnson won the long jump in 1981.
Hours later, Jacob Zednik won the championship men's javelin with a season-best toss of 229-0 (69.81) meters. Zednik is the first Badger man to win the javelin at the Drake Relays
UW became only the fourth school to sweep the javelin at the Drake Relays, joining Nebraska (1989 and 2024), Iowa (2003) and Wayland Baptist (1985).
In the women's hammer throw, Wisconsin saw a pair of solid finishes in the university section as Morgan Flaska led the way with a ninth-place mark of 178-7 (54.44m). Close behind, Nora Skoraczewski placed 11th with a throw of 174-8 (53.25m), giving the Badgers two competitors inside the top 12.
PENN RELAYS
Joshua Onwunili took second in the 100 meters at Franklin Field as the sophomore crossed the line 10.35 seconds, 0.01 behind Gary Card of UTech. Onwunili beat Houston's Louie Hinchliffe, a 2024 Olympian for Great Britain, who took third in 10.40.
The Badger quartet of Patrick Hilby, Liam Newhart, Archie Noakes, Matan Ivri took fifth in the 4xMile Relay, clocking in at 16:19.64. That time ranks fourth in program history in the event as UW was led by Ivri, who dropped a 3:56.00 final leg to lead UW to the top-5 finish.
Up Next: UW returns to Madison to host the Badger Challenge on Friday at the McClimon Track and Field Complex. Field events are slated to start at noon.
Penn Relays
Saturday, April 25
Franklin Field, Philadelphia
Men's 100 Meters
2. Joshua Onwunili, 10.35
Men's 4xMile Relay
5. Patrick Hilby, Liam Newhart, Archie Noakes, Matan Ivri, 16:19.64
Drake Relays
Saturday April 25, 2026
Drake Stadium, Des Moines, Iowa
Women's Hammer Throw - University
9. Morgan Flaska, 178-7 (54.44m)
11. Nora Skoraczewski, 174-8 (53.25m)
Men's Javelin - Championship
1. Jacob Zednik, 229-0 (69.81)
Women's Javelin - Championship
1. Taylor Kesner, 161-11 (49.35m)
Players Mentioned
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