MOUNT VERNON – Cornell carries top marks in six events for this weekend's Midwest Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships, hosted by Lawrence University in Appleton, Wis.
 
The two-day competition gets underway at 12:30 p.m. Friday and resumes at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Whiting Field.
 
Fans can follow the action via live video. The top three finishers in each event earn all-conference status.
 
Ten weeks ago, Cornell's men captured the MWC indoor team title for the program's first such championship in 36 years. The Rams were among four teams to top 100 points in that tightly-contested meet.
 
Five-time MWC individual champion Isaac vanWestrienen heads Cornell's lineup, owning the MWC's top marks in the 1500 (3:49.70), 5000 (14:05.67) and 10000 (29:15.97). The junior star ranks in the Top 15 nationally in all three races.
 
Senior Caleb Schopen is the MWC leader in the 3000 steeplechase (9:35.14). Nine-time all-MWC performer Gabe Soda is seeded second in the 1500 (3:56.83) and fourth in the 5000 (14:55.17). Newcomer Ike Claussen-Tubbs stands third in the high jump (6-0.75).
 
Chase Staker (49.34) and Jensen Meeker (49.71) rank fourth and fifth, respectively, in the 400. Hadley Beaty is seeded fifth in the 200 (21.66). Cornell's 4x400 stands second (3:21.10) and the 4x100 fourth (42.14).
 
Senior Fisher Isaacson is the defending outdoor champion in both the 1500 and 800. The men's team finished sixth at MWC outdoors last year with 82 points.
 
The Rams have plenty of firepower on the women's side as well, led by seven-time MWC champion Hailey Carolan and six-time titlist Ava Claussen-Tubbs. Carolan is in pursuit of her third consecutive outdoor title in the high jump, while Claussen-Tubbs is a two-time defending champion in the 800.
 
Claussen-Tubbs holds the season's top 800 time (2:12.65) and ranks third in the 1500 (4:41.29). Carolan carries Top 5 marks in the high jump (5-6, second), 100 hurdles (15.56, third), 400 hurdles (1:07.56, third) and long jump (16-10.75, fifth).
 
Sophomore sprinter Willow Ziegler enters with the fastest time in the 400 (59.69). Bri Osterson ranks third in the javelin (124-0). Alyza Koppes in the 5000 (17:51.34, fourth) and Zoe Peesel in the 10000 (41:09.97, fifth) are also medal contenders.
 
Cornell's women placed fourth at last year's Championships with 111 points. The Rams took runner-up in 2023.