Campus Connection

UWL ready to host D3 National and State Track & Field Meets

There’s twice the number of awards and banners sitting on campus than usual one week ahead of the Wisconsin State High School Track and Field Meet. The annual competition happens one week after the best Division III collegiate athletes warm up the track and field. Starting early Thursday, May 24, athletes will be running, throwing and jumping at the 2018 NCAA III Track & Field Championships. “We’ve done this before and we’re pros at putting this on,” says Josh Buchholtz, UWL Head Men’s Track & Field Coach and meet director for the WIAA competition. https://youtu.be/B-sZeHZjD98 Buchholtz has been here for the last two times UWL hosted the collegiate meet. He was a coach in 2013 and an athlete competing for UWL in 1997. The head women’s coach, on the other hand, is brand new to the experience. “It’s really exciting to see this all come together in my first year,” says Nickolas Davis, the WIAC Women’s Coach of the Year. “I’m happy with where we’re heading and think this weekend will be a great one.” [RELATED: Views of the 2017 WIAA State Track Meet] Nearly 900 athletes from across the nation will be competing in the first weekend at UWL, which is sure to bring a crowd. The WIAA meet, running for the 29^th consecutive time in La Crosse, set an attendance record last year with 21,007 attendees. The La Crosse County Convention & Visitors Bureau estimates the WIAA meet brings in about $4 million to the Coulee Region. “We’re so excited for back to back weekends of high caliber track and field at UWL — some of the finest athletes in the state and across the nation will be here,” says Buchholtz. “We get to show off everything we do here and why people love this community.”

Alumni reunion

Join the UWL Alumni Association as they celebrate the great tradition of UWL Track & Field at an alumni reception on from 6-8 p.m., Friday, May 25 in room 3150 at the Student Union. Former student-athletes, coaches and family members are encouraged to attend. Special thanks to Brian Vandenberg ’84, for creating a Matching Gift Challenge in support of the UWL Track & Field program! Vandenberg will match every gift made to the men’s or women’s track & field program up to $5,000. Help support our talented student-athletes by making a gift to the Track program. https://youtu.be/mTt-OxEEuts