Five things to know: Badgers to host Badger Challenge

Friday, May 1

Madison, WI

12 PM

Wisconsin Badgers

Badger Challenge

nick gilles running at the 2026 penn relays

Photo by: AJ Harrison

Five things to know: Badgers to host Badger Challenge

April 29, 2026 | Men's Track & Field

Wisconsin closes out regular season at home

By: Dani Savin

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin men's track and field team returns home for their final regular season meet of the 2026 regular outdoor season, the Badger Challenge on Friday at the McClimon Track Complex. starting at noon. Field events will begin at 12 p.m. while track events will start at 4:00 p.m. Admission is free. UW will also honor its senior class during the competition.

Fans can follow along on X and Instagram @BadgerTrackXC. Results for the Badger Challenge can be found at PTTiming.

1. THRILLING THROWS: Jacob Zednik highlighted the field events with a standout performance in the javelin, winning the Darke Relays title with a season-best throw of 229-0 feet (69.81 meters). He became the first Wisconsin men's athlete to capture a Drake Relays javelin title. Wisconsin also made history as one of four programs to sweep the men's and women's javelin titles at the meet, joining Nebraska, Iowa and Wayland Baptist.

2. RECORD RELAY: The quartet of Patrick Hilby, Liam Newhart, Archie Noakes and Matan Ivri delivered a top-five finish in the 4xMile Relay at the Penn Relays, placing fifth in 16:19.64. The mark ranks fourth all-time in program history. Ivri anchored the relay with an impressive 3:56.00 split to secure the finish.

3. SPRINTS SUCCESS: Joshua Onwunili turned in a strong performance at Penn Relays, finishing second in the 100 meters with a time of 10.35 seconds, just 0.01 behind the winner. He also finished ahead of 2024 Olympian Louie Hinchliffe, who placed third.

4. B1G MOVES: Several Badgers continue to rank among the top athletes in the Big Ten this season. Onwunili sits eighth in the 100 meters with a time of 10.13 and second in the 200 meters with a time of 20.46. Hilby ranks fourth in the 800 meters with a time of 1:46.03. Ivri holds the No. 6 spot in the 1500 meters with a time of 3:38.15 and ranks second in the 5000 meters with a time of 13:23.11. Nick Gilles is fifth in the 3000-meter steeplechase with a time of 8:44.27 while Zednik ranks fifth in the javelin with a toss of 229-0 feet (69.81 meters).

5. UP NEXT: The Badgers will head west for the 2026 Big Ten Outdoor Track & Field Championships held by the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Nebraska on May 15-17.