DUBUQUE, Iowa – The Loras College Track and Field teams competed in two meets on Saturday, with the varsity squad heading to Whitewater, Wis. to take part in the Midwest Elite at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, while others headed to Platteville, Wis. to compete at the UW-Platteville Invitational.

At the Midwest Elite, the No. 16 men and No. 2 women each placed third among competing teams. The men finished with 82 team points, while the women had 75.5.

At UW-Platteville, the men finished fourth with 41 team points, while the women finished fifth with 11.5.

At UW-Whitewater, the men one an event as the 4x400 meter relay squad of Ted Kruse, Joe Franke, Carson Vaske, and Matt Kruse took first after clearing the race at 3:21.28.

On the women's side, three Duhawks won individual events – all of which were in the field. In the high jump, Sara Hoskins took first with a mark of 1.63 meters (5-4.25), while Emma Seipel won her fifth long jump event of the season after clearing 5.98 meters (19-7.5). Caitlyn Cox wrapped things up with her first-place finish in the weight throw, tossing for 18.17 meters (59-7.5).

One group came out victorious at UW-Platteville, as the men's 4x200 meter relay squad of Charlie Irwin, Michael Coy, Blake Fitzgerrel, and DJ Almada won the event with a time of 1:35.20.

Multiple Duhawks recorded impressive days, including Becca Diddia, who placed eighth in the 5,000 meter race with a time of 18:12.70. That time was over a minute faster than her previous personal best in the event, also placing her eighth all-time at Loras on the performance list. Derik Bunten finished second overall in the men's long jump with a leap of 7.21 meters (23-8), a mark that places him currently seventh nationally in the event.

Harmony Creasy finished the 400 meter race with a personal best time of 58.39, placing her sixth all time at Loras. Frankie Chaidez and Grace Alley each etched their names in the program's top-10 lists, as Chaidez finished the 800 meter race in 2:18.77, while Alley closed out the 200 meter with a time of 25.96 – times that place the duo 10^th all-time at Loras in their respective events.

Up next for the Duhawks is another split day on Friday, Feb. 16. Varsity members will head to UW-La Crosse to take part in the highly competitive UW-La Crosse Eagle Open, while select members will stick in town and head over to the University of Dubuque for the Sol Butler.
 
Event Winners
Men
4x400 Relay: Ted Kruse, Joe Franke, Carson Vaske, Matt Kruse (3:21.28)
4x200 Relay (UWP): Charlie Irwin, Michael Coy, Blake Fitzgerrel, DJ Almada (1:35.20)
 
Women
High Jump: Sara Hoskins (1.63m/5-4.25)
Long Jump: Emma Seipel (5.98m/19-7.5)
Weight Throw: Caitlyn Cox (18.17m/59-7.5)
 
Team Results – Midwest Elite
Men
1. UW-La Crosse – 170 points
2. UW-Oshkosh – 87 points
3. Loras College – 82 points
4. UW-Whitewater – 64 points
5. UW-Stevens Points – 48.5 points
6. Carthage – 41.5 points
6. Trine – 41.5 points
6. Washington Univ. – 41.5 points
9. La Verne – 9 points
 
Women
1. UW-La Crosse – 173 points
2. Washington Univ. – 156.5 points
3. Loras College – 75.5 points
4. UW-Oshkosh – 60 points
5. UW-Whitewater – 35 points
6. Carthage – 33.5 points
7. Trine – 27 points
8. UW-Stevens Points – 17.5 points
9. Augustana (IL) – 3 points
 
Team Results – UW-Platteville Invitational
Men
1. Dubuque – 193 points
2. UW-Platteville – 141 points
3. Clarke University – 67 points
4. Loras College – 41 points
5. Saint Mary's (MN) – 10 points
 
Women
1. UW-Platteville – 171 points
2. Dubuque – 137.5 points
3. Clarke University – 61 points
4. Saint Mary's (MN) – 29 points
5. Loras College – 11.5 points