Gopher Women Try For "Triple Crown"

The University of Minnesota's Women's track team will be trying to win a "triple crown" of titles this year at the Big Ten Outdoor Track Championships in Jesse Owens Stadium on the campus of Ohio State University. After winning the Big Ten titles in cross country and indoor track the last three years, the Gopher women hope that the third time is the charm. Coach Matt Bingle has provided some insight into what it will take to make that dream a reality.

DtB: Three seems to be the magic number this year. You won your third straight indoor title, this is the third year you’ve won two of the three Big Ten team titles, and you’re going for a “triple crown” of all three titles. Did you anticipate being in this position at the beginning of the year?

Matt Bingle: I felt like we had shot to be because we returned the core of our group, and we had a good recruiting class coming in. The key has been that some of our freshman and sophomores have stepped up right away. We thought that they could help us now, and they have done that!

DtB: What did you see as the team’s biggest assets in going for this sweep? What has developed on this team that allows you to be in this position?

MB: Right now are biggest assets are that we have depth in a lot of events. We may not win the event, but we can score a lot of points in that event. We feel like we can score two to four people in a lot of the events. This is what we have to do to have a shot. If we don’t do this we just will not have a chance to win the meet. We need to score ten to fifteen points in some key events to make a push to win.

DtB: What has been the highlight or highlights of the season thus far? The most challenging aspect of the season?

MB: There are lots of highlights, but some would be: Winning the indoor title when I thought it would be rough to do. Our young people really stepping up and performing well. Our seniors ability to keep doing what they have been doing the last few years.

The most challenging part has been to keep fighting, and to always feel like we have something to prove. I am always trying to make sure people are hungry, and that we are having a lot of fun along the journey!

DtB: Extrapolating from the national rankings, Michigan would be considered the favorites to win with Minnesota and Penn State battling it out for second and third, but those rankings only take into account the athletes who are in a position to place high at the NCAA meet. Doesn’t take into account team depth and strength, which are more important in conference competition. What components of the team figure to be most important in the Big Ten Championships? What are the key elements/scenarios that need to happen for the team to be able to win the title?

MB: The national polls are deceiving, like you say, due to it being based on a few national caliber athletes. The Big Ten meet is based on depth in many ways. Some teams may have the winner and score ten points in that event, but we may score ten to twenty points in that event with three or four people. We scored ten points or more indoors in the 60, pole vault, 800 meters, mile, and 600, and it had a huge impact. Another key is having people everywhere. Not having zeros in very many events. If you have a complete team with people in the sprints-jumps-hurdles-distance-throws you have a shot as well. This is how we have been successful.

DtB: You talked before about the importance of allowing the athletes to enjoy the competition, to have fun as well as be competitive. How do you keep them “loose,” help them enjoy the event rather than get absorbed in the pressure?

MB: We try and stay loose by just being loose as coaches and leading by example. We do lots of team building things and lots of girl activities! We are always saying: "Just be yourself!"

DtB: Charlie wrote about Gabriele Anderson’s battle with cancer. She will be there to cheer the team on in Columbus. This sort of challenge puts things in perspective and has provided and incentive for her teammates. What have you noticed of the impact on the team and the courage Gabriele has displayed?

MB: It was hard to take with Gabe coming down with cancer because she is so important in many ways. But she is traveling with us and will be right there in the battle with our team and will not miss a beat! She is a prime example of what this team is about!