2006 NCAA Track and Field Championships: Day I Notes/Recap

Mike Ludwig and Matt Ten Haken
March 10, 2006

UW-LaCrosse's men's team took the top three spots in the pole vault and had a record-breaking win in the weight throw to lead after day one at the NCAA Division III Track and Field Championships on Friday at St. Olaf College's Tostrud Center in Northfield, Minn. UW-Oshkosh leads the women's event after one day.

UW-La Crosse Pole Vaulters Sweep
University of Wisconsin La-Crosse Pole Vaulters Nick Pergande, Matt Novak, and Jon Heinz swept the top three spots in the 2006 Men's Pole Vault. Pergrande won with a height of 16-9.5".

UW-La Crosse's Kevin Becker breaks Meet Record in Weight Throw
Junior Kevin Becker won the 2006 Men's Weight Throw with a distance of 68'3.75". His throw broke the one-year old meet record of MIT's Uzoma Orji (64'9.25").

Heidelberg's Tyson Leaps to Long Jump Title
Heidelberg College sophomore Greg Tyson captured the 2006 Men's Long Jump title with a distance of 24' 8.5" (7.53m). The distance is NCAA Divsion III season best and a Tostrud Center record.

Illinois Wesleyan senior Melissa Harden suprises Women's Long Jump Field
Melissa Harden, Illinois Wesleyan, won the 2006 women's long jump title with a jump of 18-8 1/2. Harden came into the event as the 15th seeded jumper. Her winning distance was a personal best by nearly a foot.

UW-Oshkosh's Robyn Jarocki wins third Women's Weight Throw Title
Senior Robyn Jarocki of UW-Oshkosh won the 2006 Women's Weight Throw. It was Jarocki's third championship in the event. Her throw of 68'10" broke her own meet record set in 2005.

Men's High Jump Championship goes to Andy Stoecken of Loras
Loras College senior Andy Stoecken captured the 2006 Men's High Jump title. Stoecken's jump of 6'11" was good for a new Tostrud Center record.

Contact media relations specialist Mike Ludwig at (507) 786-3834 or ludwigm@stolaf.edu.