Zimmerman & Schueller Rewrite History at Pioneer Opener

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – Senior Ellie Zimmerman and newcomer Anna Schueller tied for second in the pole vault en route to a new school record to highlight Michigan Tech's official team debut for the outdoor track & field season, at the Pioneer Opener in Platteville, Wisconsin, on Saturday.

The duo both soared to new heights, besting Erika Poli's school record of 11-6.5 (3.52m) set back in 2015, with Schueller clearing 11-9.75 (3.60m) on the second attempt while Zimmerman cleared what would be the new school record on her third attempt.

"It's so fun to see these ladies working together to push other higher and higher," head coach Kristina Owen said. "I think they're both genuinely delighted to share this record and at the same time, they both have big goals to duke it out and go even higher next weekend. All of our pole vaulters are wonderfully driven and great at working together to improve as a team."

"I was nervous about this meet because last week I had some rough practices," Schueller recalled. "I'm super happy with my first collegiate meet and there's always room to improve."

"As soon as we hit warmups I knew it was going to be a good day. I had some of my best vaults ever early on," Zimmerman added. "It's so nice having a teammate to celebrate with."

In total, the Huskies had six event winners Kyle Samluk (3,000m steeplechase), Mady VanWieren (1,500m), John Paul Norland (800m), Ashley Plum (200m), Andrew Lewis (400m hurdles), Jamie Hendrickson (high jump).

Andrew Lewis had quite a day in the 400m hurdles running an impressive 55.35 just shy of his personal best of 55.28.

After running the second-fastest preliminary time in the 100m dash, clocking 11.03 in the second heat, junior Ryan Schwiderson found another gear in the final to place third overall in 10.90.

Schwiderson's day was not over as he returned to the track to take second overall in the 200m dash with a respectable season-opening time of 22.05.

Following Samluk's victory, the Huskies placed third through sixth in the men's 3,000m steeplechase in sophomore Stephen Loparo (third-place), sophomore Callen Carrier (fourth-place), freshman Austin Smelker (fifth-place) and junior Robert Dwyer (sixth-place).

Claire Endres highlighted the women's 3,000m steeplechase, placing fourth in a time of 13:27.78.

Freshman Kelsey Lovercheck had the third-fastest preliminary time in the women's 100m dash, winning the second heat in 13.14. She scratched from the finals to take to the pole vault pit, where she placed sixth overall following her clearance of 10-10 on her third attempt.

The Huskies placed well in the 800m with John Paul Norland besting the men's field while Jenna Brewer ran 2:19.62 to take runner-up.

First year Landon Cosby led the way for the Huskies in the men's pole vault, clearing 15-1 on his first attempt in the second flight to tie for second in the event. 

Jesse Henderson tied for third with his clearance of 14-7.25, while Toby Bonner finished in a tie for fourth with his 13-7.5 mark.

The Huskies placed four among the top-five in the women's 400m with senior Laura Lyons clocking in at 1:01.06 to take runner-up, close behind was sophomore Ashley Plum running 1:01.45.

Mariah Willmer (1:03.39) and Karina Madigan (1:03.89) placed fourth and fifth, respectively.

Senior MadyVan Wieren had a solo effort to claim the women's 1,500m by over 11 seconds, crossing the finish line in 4:51.85 in the third heat and final heat. Freshman Ingrid Seagren placed fourth in the event, running 5:07.19.

Senior Katherine Jarvis led the Huskies in the throwing events placing fourth in the shot put with her fourth attempt heave of 39-4.5 to go with an eighth-place finish in the discus with her first throw of 113-7.

In the men's throwing events, Toby Bonner impressed with a runner-up finish in the javelin throw, with his last two throws reaching 156 feet, with his fourth attempt of 156-9 marking his best. In the shot put, Noah Koball's second attempt of 47-3.75 would earn him third place. Of note, Sean Burant placed ninth in the discus with his second attempt effort of 126-4.

Reilly Lovercheck's first attempt in the women's triple jump earned her a third-place finish with a leap of 34-1.75.

Up Next

The Huskies will return to action next week, traveling to Rochester, Michigan, for the Golden Grizzlies Invite hosted by Oakland University on April 8.