PLATTEVILLE, Wis. / ELMHURST, Ill. — Illinois Tech Track & Field split action across two meets over the weekend, opening at the UW-Platteville Invitational before posting multiple top finishes at the Chicagoland Championships. 

At Platteville, Rachel Brettin and Sophia Halama led the Scarlet Hawks in the women's 5000 meters, finishing in 19:33.62 and 19:36.95, respectively. Head Coach Tyler McQuality emphasized the importance of the meet, noting the pair "ran strong races in a highly competitive, regional championship-type environment," adding that the experience will benefit them throughout the remainder of the outdoor season. 

Illinois Tech carried that momentum into Elmhurst, where the team faced a strong regional field at the Chicagoland Championships. "I am very pleased with our progress at the halfway point in the outdoor season," McQuality said. "Chicagolands is always a great checkpoint to see where we stack up against the area's best." 

Carson Owens turned in one of the top performances of the weekend, placing third in the men's 400 meters with a time of 48.84, while Olivia Jameson earned a runner-up finish in the women's high jump (1.58m). 

The Scarlet Hawks also saw strong efforts in the sprint group, where Zoe Turner placed fourth in the women's 400 meters (57.75 - personal best) and Owens added a 10th-place finish in the 200 meters (22.18). Sprints Coach Brendan Batliner noted the group is "making steady progress combining indoor speed with the endurance needed for strong outdoor performances," pointing to continued development across sprint and middle-distance events. 

Assistant Coach Evan Balizado highlighted the team's overall progression, citing a weekend that included a school record in the women's pole vault, improved marks in the men's javelin, and continued upward trends across multiple event groups as the Scarlet Hawks approach the final stretch of the season. 

Top Performers 

• Carson Owens — 3rd, 400m (48.84) 

• Olivia Jameson — 2nd, High Jump (1.58m) 

• Zoe Turner — 4th, 400m (57.75 - personal best) 

• Rachel Brettin — 19:33.62, 5000m 

• Sophia Halama — 19:36.95, 5000m 

Additional Results (Chicagoland Championships) 

• Men's 100m — Enoch Asare (11.47), Dezyre Burns (11.96) 

• Men's 200m — Carson Owens (22.18), Ian Novak (23.83), Michael Cruz (24.01) 

• Men's 800m — Lane Regan (2:10.45) 

• Men's 1500m — Lane Regan (4:35.83) 

• Men's Pole Vault — Evan Gorrell (3.43m) 

• Men's Shot Put — Isaiah John (10.08m) 

• Men's Hammer — Isaiah John (41.43m) 

• Men's Javelin — Ty Garrison (41.79m) 

• Women's Long Jump — Annika McKown (4.85m) 

Up Next 

Illinois Tech returns to action Saturday, April 18, traveling to Wheaton for a noon meet.