Badgers lead after day one at Big Ten Indoor Championships

Friday, February 28

Indianapolis, IN

Wisconsin Badgers

Big Ten Indoor Championships

Photo by: Maddox Durst

Badgers lead after day one at Big Ten Indoor Championships

February 28, 2025 | Men's Track & Field

Friday is marked by Williams’ school record, four podium finishes

By: Dani Savin

INDIANAPOLIS – The Wisconsin men's track and field team had a strong showing on the first day of the Big Ten Indoor Championships, finishing at the top of the team standings with 33 points. The Badgers lead a competitive field, with Oregon and Washington rounding out the top-3 with 29 and 26 points respectively.

In preliminary action, Jalen Williams advanced to the 400 Meters finals, beating his own school record with the third-fastest qualifying time of 46.08 seconds. Freshman Liam Newhart earned his spot in the mile final with a personal-best time of 3:59.92, finishing fifth in the prelims and becoming the 12th Badger to ever break four minutes in the mile. Giovanni Wearing capped off the advances, replacing his own third-best time in the UW record book with a time of 7.62, the second fastest qualifying time in the 60-meter hurdles.

In the 5000 meters, Wisconsin dominated with four scorers. Bob Liking secured a runner-up finish with a time of 13 minutes, 42.62 seconds, followed closely by freshman Christian de Vaal in third at 13:43.78. Johnny Livingstone and Matan Ivri rounded out the top-10 with sixth and seventh-place finishes, crossing the line at 13:51.40 and 13:51.77.

In the weight throw, Joseph White's impressive mark of 75 feet, 9 ½ (23.10m) earned him third place, while teammates Jason Swarens landed 12th with a heave of 65-7 (19.99m) and Cole Hooper finished 14th at 65-0 (19.81m).

The Badgers' distance medley relay team of Archie Noakes, Andrew Casey, Jalen Williams and Adam Spencer earned the Badgers third and final runner-up finish of the night with a time of 9:35.99.

The pole vault saw Augustus Counard-Ciechanowski and Hunter Cook go 10-11, both clearing 15-11 (4.85m).

Up Next: The second day of the Big Ten Indoor Championships starts Saturday at 9:20 a.m CT. with the heptathlon 60-meter hurdles. Track events begin with the mile final at 12:20 p.m. CT. Fans can watch live on B1G + and follow @BadgerTrackXC on social media.

Big Ten Indoor Championships
Indiana State Fairgrounds
Indianapolis, Indiana
Friday Results

60 meters Prelims
21. Landon Gallun, 6.89

200 meters Prelims
24. Landon Gallun, 22.07

400 meters Prelims
3. Jalen Williams, 46.08q PR SR

Mile Prelims
5. Liam Newhart, 3:59.92q PR
13. Logan Measner, 4:06.74

5000 meters
2. Bob Liking, 13:42.62
3. Christian de Vaal, 13:43.78
6. Johnny Livingstone, 13:51.40
7. Matan Ivri, 13:51.77
27. Micah Wilson, 14:36.62

60 meters hurdles Prelims
2. Gio Wearing, 7.62Q

4000 meter DMR
2. Archie Noakes, Andrew Casey, Jalen Williams, Adam Spencer, 9:35.99

Weight Throw
3. Joseph White, 75-9 ½ (23.10m)
12. Jason Swarens, 65-7 (19.99m)
14. Cole Hooper, 65-0 (19.81m)

Pole Vault
10. Augustus Counard-Ciechanowski, 15-11 (4.85m)
11. Hunter Cook, 15-11 (4.85m)

Heptathlon
Quinn Lansill, DNF

Team Standings
1. Wisconsin, 33
2. Oregon, 29
3. Washington, 26
4. Iowa, 24
5. Nebraska, 19
6. USC, 18
7. Indiana, 13
7. UCLA, 13
9. Illinois, 9
10. Rutgers, 7
11. Michigan, 3
12. Purdue, 1