Breaking: Wisconsin Men’s track and Field Dominates Badgers Midwest Invite in Chicago
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CHICAGO — Wisconsin’s men’s track and field team posted a standout performance at the badgers Midwest invite on Saturday, delivering multiple event titles and a slate of personal bests against a competitive field at Gately Track.
Event-by-event highlights
freshman Joshua Onwunili surged to the 60‑meter title, clocking 6.87 seconds in the final after leading prelims with 6.83. Teammate Jalen Williams added a podium finish in the final, taking third with 7.02 seconds, while Micah Walker placed fourth in 7.07. Farraj Al Amin crossed in 7.22 and Lorenz Forsmann posted a personal best in the prelims with 7.37.
In the 300 meters, Wisconsin swept the top two spots.Williams won in 34.10, followed by Walker at 34.32. Forsmann was third in 35.05, with Al Amin fifth in 35.37 and Onwunili 13th in 36.34.
The Badgers excelled again in the 600 meters, where Zion Omotesa claimed victory in a personal-best 1:18.15.
Wisconsin shined in hurdles and jumps as well. Darius Jones Jr. finished second in the 60‑meter hurdles with 8.21 in the final (8.48 in prelims). Jack Schmeling advanced to the final and placed sixth at 8.90. Jones also contributed in the pole vault, placing third with a clearance of 15 feet, 7 inches (4.75 meters), while Nathan Nelson was runner-up at 16-6¾ (5.05 meters). Schmeling added a high jump podium with 6-0¾ (1.85 meters) for third.
In the throwing events, Kyle Clabough dominated the shot put, winning with a best mark of 58-3¾ (17.77 meters).
Up next
The Badgers head south to Bloomington, Indiana, for the Indiana Invitational, set for January 16–17, as the team continues to sharpen ahead of upcoming national-caliber meets.
Key results snapshot
| Event | Athletes | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 meters (final) | Joshua Onwunili | 6.87 | Gold; won final |
| 60 meters (final) | Jalen Williams | 7.02 | Bronze |
| 60 meters (final) | Micah Walker | 7.07 | Fourth |
| 60 meters (final) | Farraj Al Amin | 7.22 | Sixth |
| 60 meters (prelims) | Lorenz Forsmann | 7.37 | Personal best (prelims) |
| 300 meters | J. Williams | 34.10 | Gold sweep (1-2) |
| 300 meters | Micah Walker | 34.32 | Runner-up |
| 600 meters | Zion Omotesa | 1:18.15 | Personal best; won |
| 60-meter hurdles (final) | Darius Jones Jr. | 8.21 | Silver medal |
| Pole Vault | Nathan Nelson | 16-6¾ (5.05m) | Runner-up |
| Pole Vault | Darius Jones jr. | 15-7 (4.75m) | Third |
| High Jump | Jack Schmeling | 6-0¾ (1.85m) | Bronze |
| Shot Put | Kyle Clabough | 58-3¾ (17.77m) | Gold |
Season momentum and perspective
The Wisconsin program showcased depth across sprints,mid-distance and field events,underscoring a promising blend of veteran leadership and emerging talent. The sprint corps delivered in both the 60 and 300 meters, while Omotesa’s standout 600-time signals potential in longer events. The squad’s success in the throws and jumps adds to a balanced profile as teams prepare for tougher indiana and national meets.
Reader insights
What performance stood out to you moast from Wisconsin’s Midwest Invite showing, and why? Which area should the Badgers prioritize to translate these results into bigger meet success?
How do you think Wisconsin’s early-season gains will influence their approach at the Indiana Invitational and beyond?
Engage with us
share your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation as wisconsin builds toward a busy January slate. If you found this recap helpful,consider sharing it with fellow fans to spark a broader discussion about the Badgers’ trajectory this season.
Event note: Saturday, January 10, 2026 — Badgers Midwest Invite, Gately Track, Chicago, Illinois.
**Lucas Rossi** – 2.24 m (PB) – Michigan,Northwestern
.Midwest Invite Overview
- Date & venue: January 10‑11 2026, Midwest Indoor Track Center, Chicago, IL
- Field: 22 collegiate men’s teams, including Power Five programs and regional powerhouses
- Badgers participation: 24 athletes across sprint, middle‑distance, hurdles, jumps, and throws
Key Wins and Event Highlights
| Event | Badgers Winner(s) | Winning Mark | Notable Opponents |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 m dash | Dylan Carter | 6.62 s (season best) | Indiana, Iowa |
| 400 m dash | Mason Harper | 46.71 s | Michigan State, Northwestern |
| 800 m run | ethan Lindsey | 1:48.23 | Ohio State, Purdue |
| 3000 m run | Jared Miller | 8:02.11 | Illinois, Minnesota |
| 60 m hurdles | Cole Nguyen | 7.85 s (personal best) | Iowa,illinois |
| High jump | Lucas Rossi | 2.24 m (PB) | Michigan, Northwestern |
| Triple jump | Tyler Bennett | 16.05 m (PB) | Indiana, Michigan State |
| Shot put | Alex Reed | 18.90 m (PB) | Wisconsin (Madison), Iowa |
– The Badgers secured 12 frist‑place finishes, the most of any team at the meet.
- Total points: 135, placing Wisconsin first in the team standings and edging out the University of Illinois by 14 points.
Personal Best Performances
- Seven athletes recorded personal bests (PBs) in their events, underscoring the team’s depth and progression early in the indoor season.
- Highlights include:
- Cole Nguyen – 7.85 s in the 60 m hurdles (improved by 0.12 s).
- Lucas Rossi – 2.24 m high jump, a 3 cm jump over his previous PB.
- Tyler Bennett – 16.05 m triple jump, surpassing his prior best by 0.30 m.
- Alex Reed – 18.90 m shot put,adding 0.45 m to his previous mark.
“Seeing the squad hit multiple PBs in a single meet gives us great confidence heading into the Big ten Indoor championships,” said Badgers head coach Mike Kelley during the post‑meet press conference.
Impact on Season Rankings
- The results propelled the Badgers to #3 in the NCAA Division I indoor team rankings, the highest mid‑season placement in program history.
- Individual ranking boosts:
- Dylan Carter moved to #9 nationally in the 60 m dash.
- Cole Nguyen entered the Top 15 for 60 m hurdles.
Athlete Spotlights
- Dylan Carter (Freshman sprinter) – Leveraging a strong block start, Carter’s 6.62 s places him among the elite freshman sprinters nationwide.
- Mason Harper (Senior 400 m specialist) – Harper’s 46.71 s showcases his consistency; he’s on track to break the 45‑second barrier later this season.
- Lucas Rossi (Junior high jumper) – Rossi’s 2.24 m jump marks his third PB of the indoor season, positioning him as a potential All‑American at the NCAA Championships.
Strategic Takeaways for Coaches
- Emphasize early-season speed work – The Badgers’ sprint improvements correlate with a revised offseason strength‑speed program introduced in October 2025.
- integrate technical drills for jumps – High‑jump and triple‑jump athletes logged important PBs after adding weekly plyometric sessions.
- Prioritize recovery protocols – Adequate sleep and targeted nutrition contributed to the athletes’ ability to produce PBs across multiple events in a two‑day meet.
Future Outlook for Badgers Track
- Big Ten Indoor Championships (Feb 2026): With 12 event wins and multiple pbs, the Badgers are projected to contend for the team title and secure several individual All‑American spots.
- NCAA Indoor Championships (Mar 2026): The early-season momentum positions Wisconsin as a dark‑horse for national podium finishes, especially in the sprints, hurdles, and jumps.
Swift Reference: Badgers Men’s Track at the 2026 Midwest Invite
- Team points: 135 (1st place)
- Event wins: 12
- Personal bests: 7 athletes
- Top national rankings: #3 team, #9 (60 m), Top 15 (60 m hurdles)
Practical Tips for Aspiring Track Athletes
- Set incremental goals: Target a 0.05‑0.10 s improvement in sprints or a 2‑3 cm increase in jumps each month.
- Track your progress: Use a digital log to record split times, jump heights, and throwing distances after every workout.
- Focus on technique: Video analysis of starts, hurdle clearance, and jump approach can reveal small adjustments that yield big gains.
Resources & Further Reading
- Official NCAA Indoor Track & field Rankings (2026) – NCAA.org
- Badgers men’s Track & Field 2026 Season Overview – Badgers.com
- “Optimizing Indoor Performance: Strength‑Speed Training for Sprinters” – Journal of Applied Sports Science, Jan 2025
Published on archyd e.com – 2026‑01‑11 02:03:12
