UW-La Crosse Wins Third Straight National Track Title

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse men's track and field team just cemented their dynasty status. The Eagles claimed their third straight NCAA Division III outdoor championship on May 23, finishing with 106 points and leaving second-place Rowan University 21 points behind.

Luke Schroeder set the tone early by breaking the meet record in the 110-meter hurdles with a blazing time of 13.42 seconds. But the real story was how deep the talent ran across the entire Wisconsin conference.

UW-Oshkosh's Joshua Rivers made history by winning his third consecutive long jump title. He's only the second athlete in NCAA Division III history to accomplish that feat, joining an elite club that hasn't seen a three-time champion in over two decades.

The Titans also shattered the 4x100-meter relay record with a time of 39.25 seconds. Four Wisconsin schools combined to place in the top five of that race, showcasing the incredible depth of talent in the state.

UW-Eau Claire's Blake Postler achieved something equally remarkable in the 400-meter hurdles. His winning time of 49.88 seconds made him just the second person in Division III history to break the 50-second barrier in that event.

Joey Sullivan from UW-La Crosse set a meet record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 8:39.22. The Eagles placed four runners in the top six of that race alone, demonstrating the kind of depth that wins championships.

The Ripple Effect

This victory marks the 18th national title in UW-La Crosse's program history and the 21st Division III men's outdoor track championship won by a Wisconsin conference team. Since 1982, Wisconsin schools have combined for 138 NCAA Division III team championships across all sports.

Eight different Wisconsin universities earned All-America honors at this meet, with 75 total individual recognitions going to athletes from the state. That's not just one program excelling but an entire state raising the bar for collegiate athletics.

These student-athletes balance rigorous academics with elite competition, proving that excellence in one area can fuel excellence in another. Their success inspires younger athletes across Wisconsin to dream bigger and work harder.

The Eagles soar into next season as the team to beat, carrying the hopes of an entire state that's proven track and field greatness runs deep.