Christian Patzka (Black Earth, Wis./Wisconsin Heights) won the 3,000-meter steeplechase title for the second consecutive season to headline the Warhawks' second day at the 2024 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Myrtle Beach, SC. 

The top seed in the event coming in, Patzka stayed among the top four until making a move just after the 1800 split. From there, Patzka took the lead and built an insurmountable gap over the next 800 meters. He crossed the finish line in 8:50.75 to win the event by nearly five seconds. 

Patzka is now a two-time national champion in the event (2023) and four-time All-American in the steeplechase (national runner-up in 2022, 7th in 2021). Overall, Patkza has won four individual national titles with two coming indoors in the 5,000. He is a nine-time track and field All-American with five honors indoors and four from the outdoor championships. 

Also in action Friday, Tina Shelton (Janesville, Wis./Parker) qualified for the finals in the 100-meter dash. Shelton posted a season best time of 11.76 - the fifth fastest in the prelims to qualify for the Saturday finals. 

Patzka and Shelton will both be back in action Saturday. Gunner Schlender (Brillion, Wis./Brillion) will join Patzka in the 5,000-meter run while Shelton will compete in the 100. Warhawks Shelvin Garrett II (Beloit, Wis./Memorial) and Jordan Hall (Elkhorn, Wis./Elkhorn) will represent UWW in the triple jump and Kenni Czarnecki (Muskego, Wis./Muskego) will compete in the hammer throw. 

2024 NCAA DIII Outdoor Track and Field All-America Summary (after two days of competition)
Gracie Holland (Marshfield, Wis./Marshfield) - National Runner-Up - First Team - Pole Vault
Gunner Schlender (Brillion, Wis./Brillion) - 14th - Second Team - 10,000-meter run
Christian Patzka (Black Earth, Wis./Wisconsin Heights) - National Champion - First Team - 3,000 Steeplechase