UW sets two school records at Badger Challenge

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin men’s track and field team delivered a dominant showing at the Badger Challenge, highlighted by two school records and a series of standout performances on their home track at the McClimon Track Complex on Friday.

The No. 1 ranked shot put squad in the nation left nothing to question. Jason Swarens won with an electric throw of 70 feet, 1.5 inches (21.37m), surpassing the school record he set in 2023. The Terre Haute, Indiana, native ranks first in the nation with his throw, leading by nearly a full meter. He also became the 20th man in NCAA history to throw the shot put over 70 feet.

Coming in second place, both in the competition and now in the Wisconsin record book was senior Joseph White, who unleashed a throw of 66-8 ½ (20.33m). The Kenosha native previously sat at No. 3 on the program’s all-time outdoor shot put list.

Andrew Stone and Kyle Clabough completed a 1-2-3-4 sweep for UW with marks of 62-9 ½ (19.14m) and 58-6 ¾ (17.85m), respectively. 

White wasn’t done yet. The senior shattered a decade-old school record in the discus with a massive throw of 203-8 (62.08m), breaking Danny Block’s 2013 mark of 200-4 (61.06m). Jake Schaefer followed in second with a solid mark of 181-3 (55.25m).

UW swept the 800 and 1500 meters as four Badgers finished in the top five of the men’s 1500 meters as Matan Ivri won in 3:43.98. Archie Noakes, Bryce Stachewicz, Johnny Livnginstone, Logan Measner and Rowen Ellenberg rounded out third through seventh all within four seconds of each other. 

In the 800 meters, Patrick Hilby ran an outdoor season best of 1:47.89 to take the win, while JJ Williams placed third in 1:50.22.

Oliver Paleen, who competed unattached, won the 3000 meters in 8:21.19. 

The Badgers also racked up wins in the sprints and hurdles. Elliott Harris clocked 48.25 to win the 400 meters, Gio Wearing doubled with a win in the 110-meter hurdles, clocking 13.83 and a runner-up finish in the 200 meters with a time of 21.34, while Jalen Williams claimed the 200-meter title in 21.70.

Cole Hooper added to the field success with a win in the hammer throw, launching 216-5 (65.69m) to move on to No. 5 all-time in school history. Jacob Zednik won the javelin with a toss of 223-8 (68.19m).

Up Next: The Badgers will head south for the Augustana Penultimate Qualifier held by Augustana College in Rock Island,…