The University of Northern Iowa track and field team excelled at the Larry Wieczorek Invitational in Iowa City, capturing five event titles and setting 23 career-best marks over the weekend. Highlighting the performance, the women's 4x400-meter relay team broke a 21-year-old school record. Minnesota State also competed strongly at the meet.
The 2026 Larry Wieczorek Invitational took place Friday and Saturday at the Iowa Indoor Track Facility in Iowa City, drawing teams including the University of Northern Iowa Panthers and Minnesota State Mavericks.
UNI's standout achievement came in the final event, where the women's 4x400-meter relay team of Joey Perry, Jersey Jones, Emma Randecker, and Darci Wiseman clocked 3:40.97 to shatter a 21-year program record, securing second place. The Panthers won five events overall and notched 23 personal bests.
On Friday, Carter Morton tied his career best with a 7-foot-1-inch leap to win the men's high jump premier. In field events, Brylie Lorence threw 47 feet 2.25 inches for second in women's shot put, and Breanna Hackman followed with 46 feet 6.25 inches for third, both setting personal records. Justin Olson reached 65 feet in men's weight throw for fifth, while Lexy Foster hit 53 feet 8.25 inches in women's weight throw. Josey Dunbar jumped 37 feet 6.75 inches for third in women's triple jump, and Erica Miner cleared 12 feet 9.5 inches for third in women's pole vault premier.
Track highlights included Micah Rees winning men's 3,000-meter college in 8:27.93, a personal best, and Mary Kelly taking women's 600-meter dash in 1:37.61. In women's 200 meters, Jones (25.22 seconds) and Wiseman (25.35 seconds) claimed first and second with new bests.
Saturday saw Evie Henneberry win women's mile in 5:05.81 and Brooke O'Brien take third in 5:08.85, both career marks. Kaden Emanuel earned silver in men's 400 meters at 49.49 seconds. Randecker placed second in women's 400-meter premier (55.58 seconds), with Carlie Jo Fusco sixth (58.40 seconds). Claire Wright set a personal best of 2:15.01 for sixth in women's 800-meter premier.
Minnesota State competed well but specific results were not detailed. UNI next competes January 30 at Wartburg College's Friday Knight Lights.
