Wisniewski Defends Big Ten 10,000-Meter Run Title

Friday, May 18

Bloomington, Ind.

Michigan

Big Ten Outdoor Championships (Day 1)

5/18/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Track & Field

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Junior Mike Wisniewski (Temperance, Mich./Bedford HS) won the 10,000-meter run for the second straight year to lead the University of Michigan men's track and field team at the first day of the Big Ten Conference Outdoor Championships today (Friday, May 18) at Indiana University. The Wolverines finished the day in fourth place with 10 points, trailing Purdue (24), Iowa (15) and Ohio State (14).

Wisniewski

Wisniewski captured the 10,000-meter run title for the second year in a row in one of the closest 10,000 races ever. Wisniewski (29:49.65) narrowly won the event by one one-hundredth of a second over Purdue's Donnie Fellows (29:49.66). Wisniewski's time of 29:49.65 was close to 10 seconds faster than his winning time a year ago (29:59.93).

Wisniewski's championship run marked the third time in Michigan history where a Wolverine successfully defended his Big Ten outdoor 10,000-meter run title. John Scherer (1986-89) won the race back-to-back in 1988 and 1989. John Mortimer (1996-99) duplicated Scherer by winning the 10,000 in 1997 and 1998.

In addition to Wisniewski's effort, senior Steve Lawrence (Consecon, Ontario/East Northumberland SS) rounded out the top 10 in the 10,000-meter run by placing ninth with a time of 30:37.25.

Sophomore Ryan Stevenson (Harrison, Ohio/St. Xavier HS) ended the first day of the decathlon in 10th place with 3,299 points. Stevenson saved his best effort for the last event of the day in the 400-meter dash, in which he won his heat and had the third fastest time overall (50.26).

The Big Ten Outdoor Championships continues through Sunday (May 20). Saturday's action will begin at 10:15 a.m. EST/CDT.

Team Standings (after Day 1)

 1. Purdue 24 2. Iowa 15 3. Ohio State 14 4. MICHIGAN 10 5. Indiana 6 6. Penn State 4 7. Wisconsin 3 8. Minnesota 2 9. Illinois 0 Michigan State 0

Event Winners/U-M Finishers (Day 1)

Hammer Throw 1. Chris Brown, Purdue 221-3#$ 10,000-meter Run 1. Mike Wisniewski, U-M 29:49.65 9. Steve Lawrence, U-M 30:37.25 15. Nick Stanko, U-M 31:16.75 Decathlon (Day 1) 1. Brian Bowman, Indiana 3,974 pts. 10. Ryan Stevenson, U-M 3,299 # NCAA Provisional Mark $ Big Ten Meet Record

Contact: Steve Grialou (734) 763-4423