Wisconsin Badgers
Big Ten Outdoor Championships
Kesner, Finger lead Badgers at Big Tens
May 17, 2026 | Women's Track & Field
Seniors shine in Lincoln on final day of the conference meet
LINCOLN, Neb. – Seniors Taylor Kesner and Kylie Finger combined for three top-six finishes to highlight action for the Wisconsin women's track and field team on Sunday at the 2026 Big Ten Outdoor Championships at the Nebraska Track Stadium.Â
Kesner launched a season-best throw of 189 feet, 7 inches (57.78m) in the discus, one inch off of her personal best of 189-8 (57.78m), to finish runner-up in the event.Â
The Highland, Illinois, native now ranks 16th in the country in the event.Â
Zonica Lindeque was 17th with a mark of 171-4 (52.22m), while Vasiliki Samolada was close behind in 18th with a toss of 166-4 (50.71m). Hadley Lucas was 22nd with a throw of 152-9 (46.57m).
Finger earned UW three points in the women's 1500 meters thanks to a sixth-place finish in a time of 4:20.89.Â
Just two hours later, Finger toed the line in the 5000 meters and was toward the front of the pack for almost the entire race. The Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, native finished fifth in 17:02.32 to score four more points for the Cardinal and White.Â
Leane Willemse was 12th in 17:17.45 while Bella Jacobsen placed 20th in 17:31.50.
In the triple jump, Elissa Perkins placed 14th with a jump of 41-2 ½ (12.56m).Â
The Badger 4x100 relay squad of Luciana Aizpurua, Rachel Robinson, Sydney Robinson, and Catalina Sanchious took 11th, crossing the line in 46.11.Â
As a team, Wisconsin was 13th with 23 points. Oregon won the team title with 110 points.Â
UP NEXT: The Badgers continue postseason action later this month with the NCAA West First Round in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The UW men will compete on Wednesday, May 27Â and Friday, May 29, while the UW women will compete on Thursday, May 28Â and Saturday, May 30.
2026 Big Ten Outdoor Track and Field Championships
Sunday, May 17, 2026
Lincoln, Nebraska
Women's 4x100 (Final)
11. Luciana Aizpurua, Rachel Robinson, Sydney Robinson, Catalina Sanchious - 46.11
Women's 1500 meter (Final)
6. Kylie Finger - 4:20.89
Women's 5000 meter (Final)
5. Kylie Finger - 17:02.32
12. Leane Willemse - 17:17.45
20. Bella Jacobsen - 17:31.50
37. Liv Phillips - 18:11.44
38. Mya Bunke - 18:15.60
14. Elissa Perkins 41-2 ½ (12.56m)
Women's Discus (Final)
2. Taylor Kesner - 189-7 (57.78m)
17. Zonica Lindeque 171-4 (52.22m)
18. Vasiliki Samolada 166-4 (50.71m)
22. Hadley Lucas 152-9 (46.57m)
