In the Circle: Big Ten Indoor Preview

Just in time for this weekend's Big Ten Indoor Championships, DtB's throws maven Kevin Holubar reports on the latest with the Gopher throwers. Click to Kevin's own blog -- Throwing Farther -- for coaches' quotes from the Gophers' Lynne Anderson, as well as SCSU's Travis Zins, and UMD's John Fulkrod and Eric Wirz.

In the Circle
By Kevin Holubar

The Gopher women's team looks to be rounding into form at the right time heading into this weekend’s Big Ten Championships in Bloomington, Indiana where they are the two-time defending champions. Among the Gopher throwers, senior Kari Schmidt had a season best in the shot put throwing 49-5 3/4 at the Parents Day Open. DeAnne Hahn had an outstanding meet throwing 55-6 1/4 in the weight throw and 47-7 1/4 in the shot put, both personal best marks.

Schmidt and Hahn go into the weekend ranked 4th and 7th in the Big Ten in shot put. Hahn is also ranked 8th in the weight throw.

Tyler Kleinhuizen beat fellow freshmen Trey Davis by three-and-a-half inches to capture the first win of his collegiate career at last Friday's Snowshoe Open. Kleinhuizen’s mark of 55-7 and Davis’ mark of 55-3 1/2 make the second time this season that both have gone over 55 feet.

The event of the weekend, however, had to be the men’s weight throw. There were 17 throwers representing all divisions with marks over 50’, including 5 throwers over the 60-foot mark. Andy Bastian (61-3) and Aaron Studt (66-11 1/4) were among four Gophers to surpass the 60 foot mark.

Studt finished second by ¼ inch to former St. Lawrence University (NY) graduate and current St. Kate’s coach Bryan Tolcer who was competing unattached. Studt’s performance earned him his third Big Ten Athlete of the Week honor and ranks him #2 in the Big Ten and #15 in Division I.

New to the 60-foot club is red shirting freshmen Micah Hegerle. Hegerle tied in the event with Davis at 60-1 1/4. Davis’ mark broke his own freshmen record by a quarter inch, which he'd set January 31st at Nebraska.

The Gopher men travel to State College, Pennsylvania this weekend to compete in the Big Ten Championships. The Gophers enter the weekend with four throwers ranked in the top ten in their respective events. Davis and Kleinhuizen are 8th and 10th in the shot put going into the weekend. Senior Andy Bastian is ranked 4th in the weight throw along with Studt enters ranked 2nd in both the shot put and the weight throw. Studt comes into this weekend with a great opportunity to earn his first Big Ten title.