Last Friday the Wisconsin track team produced mixed results at the Notre Dame Invitational, finishing third out of four schools behind Notre Dame and Michigan State.
There was, however, one impressive result for the Badgers, as sophomore Zach Beth and senior Steven Ludwig finished first and second, respectively, in the 800-meter run.
The Badgers hope Beth and Ludwig's performance in South Bend become the roots of a dynamic duo after exceeding expectations in an early meet. Beth won the heat and set a personal record with a time of one minute and 50.71 seconds. Ludwig finished in a very close second, with a time of 1:50.73.
I came in knowing that I was more fit than last year, but considering it was our first 800 [meter run], I wasn't expecting much,"" Beth said. ""I would say we were pretty confident we could run a 1:51, but not a 1:50.""
Assistant coach Mick Byrne also confessed he was not expecting the performance given by his two runners.
""I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised '¦ considering the fact that we hadn't done any fast stuff yet,"" Byrne said.
As the Big Ten schedule approaches, Beth and Ludwig hope to feed off their success. But breaking the 1:50 mark is quite a task, as Beth compared it to breaking a four-minute mile.
Beth and Ludwig's showing last Friday proved their ability in the 800-meter run will be a major strength for the Badgers this season.
Beth and Ludwig will also participate in the 600-meter run and the one-kilometer run this season. The two athletes, however, have very different styles and strengths as runners.
""[Beth] has a little more foot speed than myself, where I run a higher capacity; I run more miles,"" said Ludwig, who also ran for the cross-country team this year.
Byrne acknowledged that the two runners have unique strengths but knows that they are ultimately striving for the same goal.
""[Ludwig] is coming in this year from a more strength-based [background]. [Beth] is more of a speed-based type of guy. So they're coming from two different approaches, but ultimately we're trying to do the same thing with them; getting them to run fast over 800 meters,"" Byrne said.
The runners knew each other before enrolling at Wisconsin, as Beth and Ludwig competed against each other in high school. Beth attended Wilmot Union High School in Wilmot, Wis., and Ludwig went to Bradford High School in Kenosha, Wis.
The teammates always share a room together on the road and agree that being familiar with each other creates a relaxed environment during practice.
Byrne, however, has not noticed a particularly relaxed atmosphere between the two, declaring that Beth and Ludwig have a very competitive relationship.
""They're fiercely competitive with each other,"" Byrne said. ""That can be good and bad. We have to channel that and let them not get too caught up in that.""
Beth and Ludwig have certainly set the bar high early in their season. The outstanding start, however, may be a sign of things to come.
""They're good guys. They're working really hard, and hopefully they get rewarded for that in the next three to four weeks,"" Byrne said.
