Gearman, Devine Named USATF-Minnesota Athletes of the Month

Gopher long, triple, and high jumper Derek Gearman and Bemidji State shot putter Sheena Devine were named USATF-Minnesota Athletes of the Month for June.

Gearman, a senior at the University of Minnesota, was recognized for qualifying for the NCAA Division I Track and Field Championships in three jumping events. Gearman placed 4th in the NCAA Midwest Region triple jump with a mark of 51 feet, 8 1/4 inches to automatically qualify in that event. He later earned at-large entry into nationals in the long and high jumps, after placing 6th in both at Regions. Gearman’s top finish at nationals was 12th in the triple jump.

Devine, a junior at Bemidji State University originally from North Branch, was honored for winning the NCAA Division II shot put with a toss of 50-7 1/2. Devine’s win was her second shot put title of the track season; she was the Division II champ indoors as well.

USA Track & Field Minnesota selects Athletes of the Month to honor excellence in track and field and its related sports in Minnesota. USA Track & Field is the governing body of the sport in the United States and the Minnesota Association of USATF sanctions and sponsors track and field, cross country, road racing, and racewalking events for athletes of all ages in the state.

(Disclosure: Pete Miller and I serve, along with Kevin Moorhead, on the USATF-Minnesota Athlete of the Month committee.)