Michigan Tech runner Tucker Ringhand broke a school record in the men’s 5,000m Friday at the Platteville Invitational in Platteville, Wisconsin. (Photo courtesy of Michigan Tech University)

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. — Michigan Tech track and field veteran distance student-athlete Tucker Ringhand established a new school record and runner-up finish in the seventh section of the men’s 5,000m Friday evening at the Platteville Invitational with a time of 14:23.21 as the pinnacle of the Huskies weekend of competition.

The Black and Gold added eight personal-bests in the 5,000m at Friday’s Platteville Invitational before the Black and Gold produced 10 additional personal-bests and six heat winners downstate at the Chippewa Challenge on Saturday.

“What a truly special night of racing we had here in Platteville, having each of our student-athletes run so well, heat after heat was one of the most fun things I’ve experienced as a coach,” said coach Robert Young. “I’m so proud of the smart tactics exhibited by each of our runners here. They did so well competing in their sections, using their competition to bring out the best in themselves. Big chunk PRs like the ones we saw here are rare, so to get this many in one night was truly awesome.

“UW-Platteville also did a great job of creating an incredible race atmosphere. High energy music, fans lining huge sections of the track just a lane or two away from the racers, and the special feeling of racing under the lights. Add to that perfect calm and cool weather and the PR train just gets rolling. We could tell from training that these athletes were ready to show this growth and this was the perfect environment to do it.”

“The Chippewa Challenge was a huge success,” said assistant coach Luke Moore. “We had six race wins and are showing great progress towards our goals. The crew has adapted to the challenges of the season and I’m really glad that we got to reap the rewards today.”

Platteville Invitational – Friday

The highlight of the night came in the final two races for the Black and Gold as Ringhand ran his best race as a Husky taking third in the seventh section and being among the leaders the entire race en route to a runner-up finish which saw him narrowly break the school record for 5,000m besting the record set by Matthew Pahl in 2019 (14:23.68) with his over 10-second personal-best of 14:23.21.

“When we set season goals back in January, Tucker identified that this 5000m school record was the chief thing he wanted in his final season as a Husky,” Young said. “He has given himself a chance to win his heat for two meets in a row now and allowed his best efforts to flow from it. I’m so proud that he was able to accomplish his top goal, and I think he’s positioned well to check off the other key goals on his list in the coming weeks.”

Sophomore standout Sophia Rhein continues to make headway at the women’s 5,000m school record, shaving four seconds off her personal-best set two weeks prior, running a time of 17:12.26 in the final section of the evening, good for 11th place in a field of 25 runners that saw the winner post a 16:25.94 performance.

“Sophia inched ever closer to our other 5000m record with another strong effort,” said Young. “Her pacing and tactics have shown immense growth since last year and her breakthrough is coming. For now, we are still pretty satisfied with consistent improvement.”

Gavin Roberts opened the night of 5k’s for the Huskies with a bang, cracking sub 16 for the first time in his career for the Black & Gold, running over 22 seconds faster than his previous personal-record, claiming seventh in the opening section which showcased 25 runners, with his time of 15:41.92.

Grace Riddle placed fourth in the first 5k section of the evening, smashing her personal-best by almost 40 seconds with her time of 19:12.87.

Freshman Derin Apul also delivered a personal-best in the second section of the men’s 5,000m, running a competitive race to land third in a field of 32 for a 15:26.69 performance–bettering his previous personal record by over 15 seconds.

Alex Li also set a new personal-best, earning her first sub-19 effort in the 3.1-mile race on the oval with her time of 18:57.09, bettering her previous best by nearly 18 seconds in the second section, good for 20th place.

Donavan Mattson earned a four-second personal best in the sixth section of the men’s 5,000m, clocking a time of 14:40.28 to finish ninth in a field of 39 runners.

“It was this time last year that Donavan found a new level and he’s done it again this year,” said Young. “He’s going to be one to keep an eye on over the next month because his fearlessness in the final laps of races could lead to exciting outcomes come championship season.”

Cedar Gordon set a personal record in her race.

“Cedar’s race was very special, you just don’t see 31-second PRs from 4th-year student-athletes in this discipline very often,” Young said. “Generally, by that point, athletes make smaller gains, making this run even more special. As is her usual, she was smart early on with her pace and just grinded faster and faster as the laps ticked by. The difference this time was that she started that grind from where she often finished it in the past.”

Chippewa Invitational – Saturday

Sam Shaver and Brady Ketzenberger highlighted the 1,500m fields as Shaver earned her second collegiate heat win, knocking five seconds off her personal best with a time of 4:51.55. Adeline Gobble grew from her debut 1,500m two weeks ago and claimed the heat win en route to a near 10-second personal-best in 5:21.70. Ketzenberger went down in the distance from the 10,000m the previous meet neared the sub-four barrier, clocking a nine second personal-best for 4:00.11. Additionally, Connor Stefanovsky ran the team-leading 1,500m time in his event debut, breaking four flat and taking fifth in the heat with his time of 3:59.39.

“The five heat wins were the highlight of the day; we started with Sam taking another huge chunk off of her 1,500m PR,” said Moore. “She ran the race with the savvy tactics of a 5th-year senior despite being a freshman. Immediately after her was Adeline, who led her race wire-to-wire to secure the win–showcasing impressive dominance over her field.”

Brayden Sobecki shaved over 26 seconds off his 5k personal best, placing 22nd in 16:11.55.

Claire Endres went wire-to-wire to claim the win in the women’s 3,000m steeplechase, lowering her personal best by six seconds with her victory effort of 11:21.02 besting second-place by over 10 seconds, overcoming the “mental pushup” of falling in the water pit on the second lap. 

“Our next winner was Claire,” Moore said. “Who managed to run a personal-best in the steeple despite taking a fall early in the race. We are all very proud of her toughness and resilience.”

The men’s steeplechasers also made a splash as Callen Carrier took runner-up honors with a near two-second personal record of 9:27.86. Sophomore Zeb Swager (9:43.73) and first-year Finnian Stringer (9:47.50) also ran personal bests in the race.

Broderick Stewart took second place in the second heat and sixth overall in the men’s 400m, running a collegiate personal-best of 50.96.

Ingrid Halverson led a trio of Huskies in the open 3,000m in a time of 10:54.42.

Brandon Latta won the men’s 800m, going sub 1:55 for the first time with a new personal-best time of 1:54.84.

Grace Folkema continues to impress in her first season as a Husky, taking the win in the opening heat after the majority of the heat cut in too early, lowering her personal-record to 2:13.93. Brielle Kero followed Folkema with a win in the second section, nearing her personal-best with a 2:18.93 effort.

“Brandon has found his stride in the 800,” said Moore. “He fought a close battle right to the line but managed to edge out the win. It’s great to see him have success, as it has been showing in practice. Our last win of the day was Brielle, who ran an impressive last 200m to take down her heat in the 800m. Her closing speed always impresses and she did not disappoint today.”

Up Next

The Huskies will have a quick turnaround competing in a midweek meet, traveling to the Twin Cities on Wednesday for the Gary Wilson Invitational hosted by the University of Minnesota.