UW-Eau Claire Men's Track & Field Shines at Invitational

Blugolds post strong early-season results, with several athletes achieving personal bests and national rankings

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's track and field team had an impressive showing at the Mark Guthrie Legacy Invitational, with multiple athletes securing top-three finishes and setting personal bests. The team's performance signals a promising start to the 2026 season as they prepare for upcoming competitions.

Why it matters

The Mark Guthrie Legacy Invitational is an important early-season event for many Division III track and field programs in the Midwest, providing athletes with an opportunity to gauge their fitness levels and establish benchmarks for the remainder of the season. UW-Eau Claire's strong showing at the invitational reflects the dedication of its athletes and the effectiveness of its coaching staff, and suggests the team is well-positioned to contend for a conference championship and potentially qualify for the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships.

The details

Several Blugolds had standout performances at the invitational, including Gage Stankiewicz, who won the shot put and weight throw events, and Leo Orlikowski and Brad Roe, who both cleared 1.96 meters in the high jump to finish second and third, respectively. Other top finishers for UW-Eau Claire included Jace Stolte in the long jump, Riley Templeton in the 200-meter dash, Blake Postler in the 60-meter hurdles, and Jack Wanezek in the 800-meter run.

  • The Mark Guthrie Legacy Invitational was held on February 7, 2026.
  • The Blugolds will next compete at the Midwest Elite 5k at UW-Whitewater on February 13, 2026.
  • The team will then participate in the UW-Stout Quad on February 14, 2026.

The players

Gage Stankiewicz

A standout performer for the Blugolds, winning the shot put and weight throw events.

Leo Orlikowski

Finished second in the high jump, clearing 1.96 meters.

Brad Roe

Finished third in the high jump, also clearing 1.96 meters.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The upcoming Midwest Elite 5k will provide an opportunity for the team's distance runners to compete against some of the top athletes in the region, while the UW-Stout Quad will feature a broader range of events, allowing the Blugolds to showcase their versatility and depth. These competitions will serve as important preparation for the upcoming indoor championship season.

The takeaway

UW-Eau Claire's strong performance at the Mark Guthrie Legacy Invitational demonstrates the team's depth and talent, and suggests they are well-positioned to contend for a conference championship and potentially qualify for the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships.