Ott leads Badgers through opening day at Illini Deca-Jam

Thursday, April 9

Champaign, IL

Wisconsin Badgers

Illini Deca-Jam

Ott leads Badgers through opening day at Illini Deca-Jam

April 09, 2026 | Men's Track & Field

Wisconsin posts multiple top-three finishes in decathlon events

By: Dani Savin

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Wisconsin men's track and field team opened competition at the Illini Deca-Jam on Thursday with a strong showing across five events in the decathlon.

Through the first five events, Robin Ott sits in fifth place with 3785 points, while teammate Jack Schmeling holds eighth with 3509 points.

Ott led the way for Wisconsin in both spring events, placing third in the 100 meters with a time of 10.84 and adding another third-place finish in the 400 meters in 49.96. The junior also contributed a seventh-place finish in the long jump with a mark of 21 feet, 9 inches (6.63m), placed sixth in the shot put at 44-5 ½ (13.55m) and cleared 5-11 ½ (1.82m) for sixth in the high jump.

Schemling turned in his top performance of the day in the shot put, finishing third with a throw of 46-1 ½ (14.06m). The freshman added a fifth-place finish in the high jump, clearing 6-0 ¾ (1.85m) and recorded a personal best in the long jump with a mark of 20-11 ¼ (6.38m). Schemling also placed eighth in both the 100 meters in 11.26 and the 400 meters in 54.15.

Up Next: The Badgers return to the track at 12:30 p.m. tomorrow for Day 2 of competition.

Illini-Deca Jam
Champaign, Illinois
Thursday, April 9, 2026

Results
Decathlon (Day 1)
5. Robin Ott, 3785
8. Jack Schmeling, 3509

100 Meters
3. Robin Ott, 10.84
8. Jack Schmeling, 11.26

Long Jump
7. Robin Ott, 21-9 (6.63m)
8. Jack Schmeling, 20-11 ¼ (6.38m) PB

Shot Put
3. Jack Schmeling, 46-1 ½ (14.06m)
6. Robin Ott, 44-5 ½ (13.55m)

High Jump
5. Jack Schmeling, 6-0 ¾ (1.85m)
6. Robin Ott, 5-11 ½ (1.82m)

400 Meters
3. Robin Ott, 49.96
8. Jack Schmeling, 54.15