Rising Stars: 5 Freshmen Making Waves in 2024

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Ciara Hartman (Bloomer)

Not just a rising star in Wisconsin but on the national stage, Hartman is among the elite in her class of 2027 and is also closing in on a couple of class records in Wisconsin. In the 1600m, Hartman dipped under the elusive 5 minute mark this week, dropping a huge PR of 7 seconds to record a time of 4:54.97. This ranks her as the #3 1600m runner in Wisconsin, the #5 runner in her class this season and #6 on the class records list for Wisconsin freshmen girls all-time. In the 3200m, she has a best time of 10:39.28, a time which ranks her #1 in Wisconsin this season, #12 in her class this season and #2 on the class records list in Wisconsin. 

1600m  WI Freshmen Girls Top Times

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John Jazdzewski (Stevens Point)

Adding to the wealth of riches that the Stevens Point have in their distance program, John Jazdzewski has broken out this outdoor track and field season as a freshman. Jazdewski has shown remarkable talent in his first track and field season in the 800m, with a PR of 1:57.87. His time of 1:57.87 ransk #5 all-time in Wisconsin for freshmen boys and ranks 34th in his class of 2027 this outdoor season. 

All-Time WI Boys Freshmen 800m Times

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Lily Rogers (Baraboo)

Emerging as one of Wisconsin's top throwers and steadily climbing the all-time lists this season has been Baraboo's Lily Rogers. Rogers first emerged as a thrower to watch this indoor season and has proved herself this outdoor season to the tune of an undefeated record in the shot put over 12 meets and 8 wins in the discus event. She has set PRs this season of 43' 6" in the shot put and 138' 4" in the discus. This ranks her #1 in the shot put for Wisconsin and #5 for the discus. She also ranks #4 for her class in the shot put nationally this season and #6 in the discus. 

Will Pongonis (Eau Claire Memorial)

Entering the conversation already as a freshman as one of Wisconsin's best distance runners, Will Pongonis has burst onto the scene this outdoor season and more specifically this month. Just this week at the Big Rivers Conference Championships, Pongonis won the 3200m title with a time of 9:31.98 and finished 2nd in the 1600m with a time of 4:21.57. This ranks him as the #5 1600m runner all-time for Wisconsin freshmen boys and as the #7 runner all-time in the 3200m for Wisconsin freshmen boys. Nationally for his class, he ranks 27th in the 1600m and tied for 36th in the 3200m. 

Valeriia Gorshenina (Green Bay Southwest)

Emerging as a top pole vault talent to watch this season, Gorshenina has become a freshmen force in the event, twice vaulting 12 feet even. This makes her one of four Wisconsin girls freshmen pole vaulters all-time to vault 12 feet or higher, and just one of two to hit that mark twice alongside current sophomore Elise Schroeder. It currently puts her in a tie for 4th in her class nationally this outdoor season. 

All-Time WI Girls Freshmen PV Marks