Gopher Women Finish a Disappointed 12th

Gopher women’s head coach Gary Wilson said he looked at the numbers and could see his team finishing anywhere from fourth to twelfth going into Nationals. Unfortunately, they ended up on the latter end of that spectrum with a 12^th-place finish.

“We were a little off today,” said Wilson.

The day was not without bright spots for the Gophers, as sophomore Jamie Cheever finished 33^rd overall, sneaking under the 21-minute barrier in 20:59. “I tried to stay around the top 50 and feel good through the first 2k and move up from there,” she said.

Cheever wanted to use the hill just after the three kilometer mark to begin to move up.

“Yesterday in our pre-meet we really made a goal for everyone to move along there,” she said.

In winning the Big 10 Championships, the Gophers ran with a 21-second top five spread. Today, 52 seconds separated the scorers, and as a team they struggled to get going.

“I really was never able to get into my rhythm,” said Ladia Albertson-Junkans, an All-American last two years. “I felt I couldn’t get my body moving the way I usually can.”

“I really thought we could put five kids, six kids in the top hundred,” said Wilson. “It was just one of those days, where you’re ten or fifteen seconds off, and all of a sudden you’re not in the top eight."

Despite an underwhelming performance, Wilson was happy with his team’s effort and attitude.

“Obviously we’re disappointed, but at the same time it’s been a great year with wonderful kids,” he said. His team “gave it everything they had today,” but just didn’t run as well as they have.

“We just didn’t click today and that’s part of the game.”

“The sun will come up tomorrow, and we’ll be home,” said Wilson.

They’ll also still Big Ten champions.