JD
Jared Denu
  • accounting
  • Class of 2016
  • Waunakee, Wis.

Waunakee Native Denu Begins 2015 Season With UW-Whitewater Track and Field

2015 Jan 23

Jared Denu, a native of Waunakee, WI, and senior at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, will participate as a member of the Warhawks' men's track and field program in 2015.

Denu, a graduate of Waunakee High School, is majoring in accounting at UW-Whitewater.

The Warhawks began the 2015 season last Saturday with a first-place finish at the Karl Schlender Invitational at Kachel Fieldhouse. The team heads to the North Central College Opener Friday.

See below for a complete season preview.

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men's track and field team looks to mix a talented recruiting class with a strong group of veteran returners to compete for a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship and thrust itself in the conversation for an NCAA Division III national championship.

The Warhawks are ranked fourth in the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association NCAA Division III Indoor Preseason Computer Rankings. UW-Whitewater finished sixth at last year's NCAA Indoor Championships and 13th at the national indoor meet.

Sixth-year head coach Mike Johnson believes the team is in good position to remain regionally and nationally competitive thanks to a deep group of returners and one of the strongest freshmen classes he's ever had.

"Across the board, there is a lot of ability in there," Johnson said. "Hopefully we can keep progressing and stay healthy. It should be an interesting year."

Six WIAC teams are ranked in the top 25 by the USTFCCCA, including UW-La Crosse and UW-Eau Claire, who are ranked as the country's top two teams, respectively.

"What's neat about our conference is that because it's so strong, everyone has to bring their 'A' game to the conference meet," Johnson said. "In track and field, the conference meet is more about your depth, and the national meet is more about your strength ... the great teams are the ones that have great depth, and within that, great strength.

"We know every event is going to be fully loaded, so it gives our kids the opportunity to rise to the occasion ... it's a high energy, high stress kind of environment. You know everybody is going to show up that day."

Johnson is encouraged by the camaraderie surrounding the team, which regularly practices with the women's team.

"I think what's neat about this year is that both of our teams are at a high level," Johnson said. "They know they're capable of impressive things."

The Warhawks will host the "Squig" Converse Invitational on Friday, Jan. 30, and will return to Kachel Fieldhouse on Feb. 14 for the WIAC Tri/Quad meet.

The WIAC Indoor Championships are scheduled for Feb. 27-28 at UW-Platteville. The NCAA Indoor Championships will be held March 13-14 in Salem, N.C.

See below for a full group-by-group preview of the 2015 UW-Whitewater men's track and field team.

Sprints/Hurdles

Seniors Dylan Crafton (Milwaukee/Wauwatosa West) and Jared Denu (Waunakee/Waunakee)return as two of the team's most accomplished athletes. Crafton earned both indoor and outdoor All-America honors in the 200-meter dash, and was the 2014 outdoor WIAC champion in the event. He also holds the school record in the 200 (indoor and outdoor). Denu is a 400-meter dash specialist and was an indoor All-American in the event last season. He holds the indoor school record in the 400.

Senior Mike Judd (Chicago, IL/St. Laurence) is one of the team's top returning hurdlers as a 2012 indoor All-American in the 60-meter hurdles. He is a four-time national qualifier in the 60- and 110-meter hurdles and a five-time WIAC placer, including two individual championships, in hurdles events. Judd will serve as a captain for the second straight year.

Crafton and junior Alex Tassoul (Brussels/Southern Door) return as one-half of the 4x100-meter relay team that placed eighth for All-America status at last year's NCAA Outdoor Championships. Denu and junior Bryce Rudebeck (Waterford/Waterford Union) are back as two representatives from last season's indoor All-America 4x400-meter relay team. Both Denu and Rudebeck have been selected as captains, Denu for the second consecutive season.

Jumps

Senior Justin Bowers (Lake Geneva/Badger), a two-time national qualifier in the long jump, returns as one of the leaders of the group. In 2014, Bowers was the indoor WIAC champion in the long jump and an outdoor All-American with a sixth-place finish.

Junior Eric Baber (Milwaukee/Rufus King) is a two-time WIAC placer in the triple jump, including a fifth-place performance at last season's outdoor championship.

Johnson is excited about several newcomers in both the high jump and the triple jump. He anticipated at least four athletes who could make an immediate impact in each event.

Senior pole vaulter Cody Speaker returns to the team after not competing in 2013-14. He is a three-time top-eight finisher in the conference.

Mid-Distance/Distance

Senior Dawson Miller (Whitewater/Whitewater) is a six-time national qualifier and four-time All-American. A captain in 2015, Miller finished eighth at the NCAA Indoor Championships in the 1-mile run in 2013, and qualified nationally for the 3,000-meter run last season. He is a two-time conference champion and two-time All-American in his signature event, the outdoor 3,000-meter steeplechase.

Miller, Rudebeck and senior Tony Urbanski (Spring Valley, IL/Hall) return from last season's All-American distance medley relay. The group finished third at the NCAA Indoor Championships and holds the school record. Urbanski is a two-time placer in the 800-meter run.

Junior Ryan Adamski (Hartland/Arrowhead) also returns with experience in both the 4x800-meter relay and the DMR.

Throws

Junior Zach Stockheimer (Mukwonago/Mukwonago) is the team's lone returning WIAC placer. He finished fourth in the hammer throw at last year's conference outdoor meet.

Other returning conference meet participants include junior Josh Davison (Waterloo/Waterloo), sophomores Kyle McNeil (Geneva, IL/Geneva Community) and Nathan Smith (McBain, MI/McBain).

Multi-Events

Senior Stephen Sousa (San Diego, CA/Westview) was an NCAA Indoor Championships qualifier in the heptathlon a season ago. He is an outdoor All-American after a fifth-place finish in the decathlon at the national meet in 2014. Sousa holds the school record in the decathlon.

Sophomore Josh Selje (Rio/Rio) was a WIAC qualifier in both the heptathlon and decathlon last season.

For more information on the team, visit the UW-Whitewater men's track and field Web page.