Wisconsin Badgers
NCAA First Round Regional
Four Badgers advance to Friday’s final
May 27, 2026 | Men's Track & Field
Ivri, Onwunili, Hilby and Risser advance at NCAA West First Round
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Four members of the Wisconsin men's track and field team advanced to the quarterfinals on Wednesday at the 2026 NCAA West First Round at John McDonnell Field.
Matan Ivri got things going early for Wisconsin in the opening section of the 1500 meters, taking third in his section with a time of 3:40.03. Ivri led a majority of the race before cruising to a top-five finish in his section to advance to Friday's quarterfinal. Ivri will race again on Friday at 5:15 p.m. in the 1500 meters before toeing the track in the 5000 meters at 8:10 p.m.
Joshua Onwunili won his section of the 100 meters in 10.25, .03 off of his season best of 10.22. The Ghana native also raced the 200 meters, finishing 32nd overall in 20.97.
A pair of Badgers advanced to Friday's quarterfinal in the 800 meters. Patrick Hilby ran the 15th-fastest time in the event in 1:47.95 while Henry Risser grabbed the final qualifying time, finishing the two-lap race in 1:48.21. The duo will race at 7:05 p.m. on Friday.
Liam Newhart took seventh in his section and 27th overall in the 1500 meters with a time of 3:44.08. Newhart will return to the track on Friday and race in the 5000 meters.
In the men's javelin, Jacob Zednik was 22nd with a heave of 212 feet, 1 inch (64.65m) in rainy conditions while Robin Ott finished in 35th place with a toss of 197-6 (60.21m).
Due to rainy conditions, the men's pole vault, originally scheduled for Wednesday, will take place on Thursday. Nathan Nelson will represent the Badgers in the event at 2:40 p.m.
Up Next: Five UW women will be in action on Thursday at the NCAA West First Round. Taylor Kesner will lead things off for UW in the javelin beginning at 2 p.m. Mya Bunke will race in the 1500 meters at 6:30 p.m., while Danni Langseth, Hadley Lucas and Zonica Lindeque will compete in the women's shot put that begins at 7 p.m.
2026 NCAA West First Round
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
John McDonnell Field
Fayetteville, Arkansas
100 Meters
17. Joshua Onwunili - 10.25 Q
200 Meters
32. Joshua Onwunili - 20.97
800 Meters
15. Patrick Hilby - 1:47.95 q
21. Henry Risser - 1:48.21 q
1500 Meters
6. Matan Ivri - 3:40.03 Q
27. Liam Newhart - 3:44.08
Pole Vault
Nathan Nelson - Postponed
Javelin
22. Jacob Zednik 212-1 (64.65m)
35. Robin Ott - 197-6 (60.21m)
