Robert Starnes Wins National Title for UW-Whitewater Track and Field

2015 May 26

Robert Starnes, a communication major and member of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men's track and field team, captured a national championship in record-setting fashion Saturday to lead the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men's track and field team to third place, matching the best finish in program history at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Merrick-Pinkard Track & Field Complex.

The Warhawks totaled 42 points to finish 11 ahead of Salisbury (Md.) and just four behind runner-up UW-Eau Claire. UW-Whitewater last finished third in 2006. Two other Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference members - UW-La Crosse and UW-Eau Claire - placed 1-2 in the nation.

Senior captain Dawson Miller (Whitewater, Wis./Whitewater) posted a school and facility record time of 8:46.58 to win the 3,000-meter steeplechase. After placing third in 2013 and second in 2014 in the event, Miller posted the fourth-best time in NCAA Division III history Saturday, claiming the championship by more than 11 seconds. He entered the week with the No. 1 time in the field.

Freshman Robert Starnes (Green Bay, Wis./Preble) set a school and facility record in the high jump with a 7-00.25 (2.14 meters) to claim his second All-America honor of the meet. He finished third in the long jump Thursday. Starnes entered Saturday with the seventh-best mark in the high jump.

Miller and Starnes picked up individual national titles No. 11 and 12 for the Warhawks. Both are the first-ever NCAA outdoor champions in program history in their respective events. Miller and Starnes are also the first duo in program history to win national titles at the same championship meet.