The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men's and women's track and field teams opened up their 2025 Indoor Season with the Firebird First Invite.

The women placed second out of the seven teams competing. The Warhawks totaled 114.5 points, only surpassed by NCAA DII UW-Parkside. 

On the men's side, the Warhawks placed 3rd out of 6 with a total of 132 points.

Men's Track Highlights

The men started off strong with a high-showing in the 55 meter dash prelims. Out of the eight moving on to the finals, the Warhawks had seven of those spots. In the finals, Sam Vargas crossed first in the race of Warhawks. Vargas crossed at 6.35m narrowly beating out Caleb Beightol (Belgium, Wis./Cedar Grove-Belgium) at 6.36. Ben Bojar (Pewaukee, Wis./Pewaukee) and Nick McFadden (Waukesha, Wis./Pewaukee) followed up as the third and fourth finishers.

In the 55m hurdles, the men had two in the top 5. Marlon Cystrunk (DeForest, Wis./DeForest) timed in at 7.73 for third, while Tristan Ropiak (Racine, Wis./St. Catherine's) timed in at 8.26 for fifth place.

Women's Track Highlights

The Warhawk women placed gold and silver in the women's 55m hurdles. Sam Burge (Mukwonago, Wis./) timed in at 8.63 in the finals with teammate Lena Becker (Toulon, Ill./Stark County) at 8.87. Both improved on their time from the qualifiers by nearly 0.2 seconds.

The Warhawks also took the top three spots of the 55m dash on the women's side. Cici Stennett (Barrington, Ill./) (7.21), Kelly Huerta (McHenry, Ill./) (7.31), and Dakota Mitchell (Sun Prairie, Wis./West) (7.34) recorded the top times in the finals.

Men's Field Highlights

The Warhawks featured two jumpers in the top five of the men's long jump, Lincoln Begin (Greenfield, Wis./) measured 6.49m for second place, only behind former DII All-American, Tavian Stewart. Begin was joined by Jackson Koppen (Sun Prairie, Wis./East), who placed fourth overall with a distance of 6.46m.

Jordan Jackson (Milwaukee, Wis./Wisconsin Lutheran) and Tyler Jensen (Hilbert, Wis./Hilbert) placed fourth and fifth, respectively, in the men's shot put. Jackson's best throw measured 12.86m with Jensen's at 12.73m. 

Jackson Koppen (Sun Prairie, Wis./East) and Jared Sudbrink (Grafton, Wis./Grafton) finished two and three in the men's high jump, both reached the 1.83m mark in the event.

Brady Schaller (Winnebago, Ill./Winnebago) cleared the 4.25m bar in the men's pole vault to earn first in the event.

Connor Anderson (Waukesha, Wis./North) and Max Wallace (West Allis, Wis./Hale) finished second and third in the men's triple jump. Anderson jumped 13.60m in his best jump and Wallace reached 13.48m.

In the men's weight throw, Sean Larsen (Waukesha, Wis./South) finished third for the Warhawks. Larsen's best throw measured at 16.79m. 

Women's Field Highlights

Gracie Holland (Marshfield, Wis./Marshfield) place third overall in the long jump. Holland reached 5.29m to place bronze. Holland also topped the women's pole vault, clearing the 3.95m bar. Ella Maher (Rockford, Ill./Winnebago) earned silver in the same event, clearing the 3.20m bar.

Kenni Czarnecki (Muskego, Wis./Muskego) placed third overall in the women's shot put with a distance of 11.95m. Czarnecki would go on to place first in the women's weight throw with a best of 18.06m. Czarnecki's throw is a personal best for the two-time All-American.

In the Women's High Jump, the Warhawks had three in the top six. Amanda Hillman and Brynn Fuerstenberg (New Berlin, Wis./Eisenhower) both jumped 1.53m, tied for third place. Danielle Pouska (Algonquin, Ill./Jacobs) was right behind them in 6th place, reaching 1.48m.