Local Stars Shine at Jack Johnson Invite

As is often the case, the University of Minnesota's Jack Johnson Invite provided a big meet opportunity for Minnesota's top track and field talent to shine.

While pole vaulters copped the headlines for the Gophers -- Alicia Rue winning the women's vault with a school record, fieldhouse record, NCAA auto-qualifying 14-4 1/2 and Ben Peterson confirming his return for last year's injury with a PR 17-5 1/4 -- there were lots of performances for Minnesotans to celebrate.

Highlights for the locals included ... Heather Dorniden's 2:05.49 USA Indoor qualifing win in the 800m, Amanda (Thieschafer) Smock's 41-8 victory in the triple jump, Matt Fisher's 7-2 1/4 NCAA provisional qualifying high jump win, and Aaron Studt's 59-11 3/4 provisional qualifying shot put victory.

Perhaps the most heartening performance of the meet was Gabriele Anderson's return to racing nine months after being diagnosed with cancer. Bouncing back after surgery and radiation treatment last summer -- and armed with a final season of outdoor eligibility, the Perham High School alum won the 3000m in 9:38.94.

(DtB wrote THIS story about Anderson last spring, shortly after she learned she had cancer.)

You can watch Flotrack's interview with Anderson above. There's lots of other great Flotrack videos from the meet -- both interviews and event coverage! -- HERE.

Find complete meet results HERE.