10 Athletes to Watch at the 2023 Division 1 WIAA State Track & Field Championships
Waunakee's Andrew Regnier looks towards middle-distance dominance at the 2023 state meet, in pursuit of a repeat state title in the 400 meter dash and a first to his name in the 800 meter run. Regnier is committed to the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and currently holds the state lead in both the 400 and 800 with respective times of 47.51 and a blistering 1:49.83.
The Arrowhead hurdler recently set a state record in the 300 meter hurdles with a time of 37.29. Hicks, with the new record, looks to win his first individual state title in not only the 300 meter hurdles but also the 110 meter hurdles. The junior will add crucial points toward Arrowhead's effort to win a repeat team title.
Ben Smith | Jr., Hortonville
Only in his sophomore year, Smith won both the shot put and discus at the 2022 state meet. Now in his junior year, Smith holds the nation leading throw in the shot put with a 68-10.5 and currently sits second in discus with a 209-11. Smith's throw of 68-10.5 in the shot put also set a new Wisconsin state record.
Homestead senior Owen Bosley will compete in the 1600 and 3200 at the 2023 state meet. After coming up just short of winning the 3200 in his junior year, Bosley looks to add his first state title to his name in his last go around at the state meet. Bosley currently holds the state-leading time in the 1600 with a 4:11.13 and the 3200 with a 8:54.19.
Hartford senior Aaron Cummings will compete in the pole vault this weekend. Cummings recently set the state record in the pole vault with a 16-6 jump at the West Bend East Sectional. The North Dakota State commit plans to win his second state championship after winning last year with a jump of 15-6. His state-leading jump of 16-6 currently has him sitting 14th in the nation for pole vault.
One of the most accomplished athletes out of Wisconsin, Chippewa Falls senior Sandvig will compete in three events this state meet. The Iowa State commit currently holds state-leading times in the 100, 200, and 400. In her junior year, she earned state titles in the 100, 200, and 400, and placed fourth in the long jump. This year, we look to see if Sandvig can pull off the quadruple crown.
Deforest Senior Anna Szepienic will compete in the 100 meter hurdles, 300 meter hurdles, and triple jump at the state meet. Szepieniec currently holds the state lead in all three events with marks of 14.33, 43.82, and 39-0, respectively. She looks to add to her sophomore year title in the 300 meter hurdles after coming up just short for second place in her junior-year campaign.
West De Pere's Aitken is a star pole vaulter with a state-leading vault of 13-3, which has her sitting 25th in the nation. She will also compete in the 200 at the state meet and is seeded 4th going into the competition. At last year's state competition, she competed in the 200, 400, and pole vault, placing 6th, 2nd, and 2nd respectively. Aitken is committed to the University of South Dakota.
Anschutz has been Muskego's star distance runner this year. Only a freshman, she's competing in both the 1600 and 3200 at this year's state meet and is seeded first and fourth respectively heading into competition. She currently holds the state-leading time in the 3200 in 10:32.18. She's also coming off of an impressive cross-country season, finishing sixth at the 2022 state meet.
Cedarburg freshman McKenzie turned a lot of heads this year with her distance versatility, competing in everything from the 400 to the 3200 early in her high school career. At this year's state meet, she will be competing at the 400, 800, and 1600 meter distances. She currently holds the state-leading time in the 800 with a quick 2:08.62, positioning her 23rd in the nation.
