Twice as nice: Seniors Advance to NCAA Outdoor Championships

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Two Wisconsin women’s track and field team members qualified for the NCAA Championships on Saturday rounding out action at the 2023 NCAA West Preliminary Round at Hornet Stadium. 

 

Schaefer and Huven punch tickets to national meet

Thanks to two top-ten finishes in their respective events seniors Josie Schaefer and Destiny Huven are headed to Texas. 

After qualifying in the shot put on Thursday, seven-time All-American Schaefer recorded a qualifying mark in the discus. In her second throw of the event, the Baraboo native tossed the disc 181 feet, 1 inch to finish sixth in the event. 

Huven booked her ticket to the NCAA meet for the second-straight year in the 100-meter hurdles. The Milwaukee native finished fourth in her heat qualifying in 12.99 seconds and earned a time qualifer to the NCAA championships. Her time was the seventh fastest on the day and a season-best. 

“They both did a great job today,” UW Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Mick Byrne said. “Destiny ran a season-best time of 12.99 to advance against a great field. She struggled this season with an injury and she is rounding into form at the right time and that I think that is important. Joise did a great job in advancing in her second event of the week and we can’t wait to watch those two along with our six men in Austin.”

Other competitors

Redshirt senior Lucinda Crouch wrapped up her career as a Badger by finishing 20th in the 3000-meter steeplechase crossing in 10:15.41. The Brisbane, Australia native finished her career ranking third all-time at UW in the event. 

Graduate student Madison Mooney finished her season by finishing 23rd in the 1500 meters in 4:27.68. Mooney had an impressive month in May setting personal best in 800 and 1500 meters and scoring in the 800 at the Big Ten Championships. 

Leane Willemse made her NCAA preliminary debut in the 5000 meters as the sophomore finished in 16:39.02. 

 

Up Next 

Schaefer and Huven travel to Austin, Texas, from June 7-10 to compete in the NCAA Outdoor Championships. The competition will take place at Mike A. Myers Stadium and Soccer Field on the University of Texas at Austin campus. 

Saturday Results 

100-meter hurdles 

7. Destiny Huven – 12.99 Q 

1500 meters 

23. Madison Mooney – 4:27.68

5000 meters 

42. Leane Willemse -…