LA CROSSE, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men’s track and field team demonstrated strong early-season form at the Mark Guthrie Legacy Invitational held on , with several athletes achieving personal bests and positioning themselves favorably in NCAA Division III rankings.
The invitational, hosted in La Crosse, Wisconsin, saw eight Blugolds secure top-three finishes in their respective events. The team’s performance signals a promising start to the 2026 season, building momentum as they prepare for upcoming competitions.
Gage Stankiewicz was the standout performer of the day, dominating in both the shot put and weight throw. His winning shot put distance of 18.41 meters (60’ 5”) currently ranks as the second-longest throw in all of Division III this season. Stankiewicz followed up this success with a first-place finish in the weight throw, achieving a mark of 18.79 meters (61’ 7 ¾”). This performance places him among the national leaders in that event as well, according to available rankings.
In the high jump, Leo Orlikowski and Brad Roe both cleared 1.96 meters (6’ 5”), securing second and third place respectively. Their identical heights demonstrate the depth of talent within the Blugolds’ jumping squad. Jace Stolte added to the team’s success in the field events, finishing third in the long jump with a distance of 6.81 meters (22’ 4 ½”).
On the track, Riley Templeton recorded a personal best in the 200-meter dash, completing the race in 21.65 seconds. This improvement highlights the progress being made by the team’s sprinters. Blake Postler also achieved a personal best, finishing as the runner-up in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 7.93 seconds. This time is currently the third-fastest in Division III this year. Tyler Botz further contributed to the team’s success in the hurdles, finishing third with a personal best of 8.28 seconds.
Jack Wanezek rounded out the top-three finishes for the Blugolds, securing a third-place finish in the 800-meter run with a time of 1:55.04. His performance demonstrates the team’s strength in middle-distance events.
The Mark Guthrie Legacy Invitational is a key early-season event for many Division III track and field programs in the Midwest. The competition provides athletes with an opportunity to gauge their fitness levels and establish benchmarks for the remainder of the season. The results from this invitational are closely monitored by coaches and athletes alike, as they contribute to NCAA qualifying lists and rankings.
UW-Eau Claire’s strong showing at the invitational reflects the dedication of its athletes and the effectiveness of its coaching staff. The team’s focus on individual improvement and consistent performance is evident in the number of personal bests achieved. The Blugolds are now looking ahead to their next competitions, the Midwest Elite 5k at UW-Whitewater on , and the UW-Stout Quad on .
The upcoming Midwest Elite 5k will provide an opportunity for the team’s distance runners to compete against some of the top athletes in the region. The UW-Stout Quad will feature a broader range of events, allowing the Blugolds to showcase their versatility and depth. These competitions will serve as important preparation for the upcoming indoor championship season.
According to available rankings, UW-Eau Claire athletes are already making a significant impact on the national stage. Yakob Ekoue currently ranks second in Division III in the shot put with a throw of 18.79 meters, achieved at the Mark Guthrie Legacy Invite on . Adam Strouf is also highly ranked, holding the third position with a throw of 18.30 meters.
The Blugolds’ success is not limited to the field events. Several athletes are also performing well on the track, with Blake Postler’s 7.93-second time in the 60-meter hurdles placing him among the top contenders in Division III. The team’s overall performance suggests that they are well-positioned to contend for a conference championship and potentially qualify for the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships.
Fans can follow the Blugolds’ progress throughout the season at Blugolds.com, through the team’s mobile app, and on social media platforms including Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
