Friday, July 18, 2008

1968 Big Ten Champions to Reunite Saturday

The 1968 University of Minnesota Men's track and field team, which squeaked out a one-point, upset victory at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships they hosted at Memorial Stadium that season, will reunite tomorrow to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the feat.

More than 35 members of the team, including coaches and student managers, are expected to take part in the celebration, planned by former Golden Gopher head coach Roy Griak.

Despite cold, damp weather, the 1968 Gophers (pictured) earned points in 13 of the meet's 18 events. The Gophers tallied 50 points to Michigan’s 49 and Wisconsin’s 48 in one of the most memorable team battles in Big Ten history.

The Gopher media release about the reunion, HERE, tells the details behind the Gophers surprise win, which included gaining unexpected points in meet's final field events and weathering a post-meet results protest.

Photo courtesy of the University of Minnesota.

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