RALEIGH, NC (March 26, 2010) - Freshman John Simons broke the school men's 5000m record in his first outdoor meet as a collegian and freshman Elise Sigg ran the fifth-best women's 5000m time to headline the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's participation at the Raleigh Relays Friday evening at North Carolina State.

Simons crossed the line in the 5000m in 14:33.85, taking second by less than a second and breaking the school mark of 14:37.13 by over three seconds. The Horizon League Newcomer of the Year from cross country and Track Newcomer of the Year during the indoor season, he was running in the first outdoor meet of his collegiate career. The former record was held by Aaron Nodolf and was set in 2001.

Meanwhile, Sigg overcome a stumble at 150 meters to post a time of 17:20.10 in her section of the 5000m. She placed fifth in the section and posted the fifth-best time in school history.

"John posted great splits (4:40/1 mile, 9:20/2 miles, 14:00/3 miles) and had a nice, even pace throughout the race. Unfortunately, he was just out-kicked at the end," head coach Pete Corfeld said. "Elise rebounded nicely from an early stumble to post a great time. It was a great day to run at 47 degrees, definitely our kind of weather."

Senior Abbie Zaspel also ran on the meet's first day, competing in the 10,000m. Results for the event will be available later in the evening.

The Raleigh Relays wrap up Saturday, when Milwaukee will have a pair of competitors--junior Tanaiya Fisher in the women's 1500m and sophomore Chris Schuenke in the men's 3000m steeplechase. The rest of the Panthers will be competing at the EIU Invitational in Charleston, Ill., beginning Saturday.