In the Circle: Big Ten Season Recap

Most thought that with Aaron Studt red-shirting during the outdoor season the Gopher men's throws might be the event area that held the team back from repeating as Big Ten Outdoor Champions. That question mark, however, was answered with an exclamation point last weekend in Indiana.

Led by freshmen Micah Hegerle, and sophomores Trey Davis, and Tyler Kleinhuizen, the Gopher men's throwers didn't skip a beat, and scored a total of 32 points at Big Ten's.

Hegerle started the weekend off claiming his first (of what may be many) Big Ten titles in hammer on Friday with a throw of 208-3. Hegerle's best on the season is 211-5, thrown at Iowa on May 1st. The emerging star broke the Gopher freshmen record in hammer four times throughout this outdoor season. He ranks 8th regionally and 19th nationally in the event.

All three competitors scored in the discus with Davis placing third (172-5), Hegerle placing fourth (170-1), and Kleinhuizen placing sixth (164-9).

Davis capped a successful weekend for the throwers with a huge PR in the shot at 60-1/2 placing second. That throw currently ranks him 11th regionally and 15th nationally.

Even though the season has just ended, it's staggering to look at the depth of the roster for next season. Not only are all three returning for next season but Aaron Studt still has one season of outdoor eligibility remaining. Incoming freshmen Logan Hussung (Farmington) and transfer Andy Norman (Winona via Hamline) will definitely keep the cupboards stocked for coach Lynden Reder.

The Gopher women ... finished 2nd at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships, falling just 10.5 points short of Penn State this past weekend.

Sophomore DeAnne Hahn claimed her first title in hammer with a mark of 185-8.

Junior Nicole Tzanakis placed 5th in the discus with a mark of 164-2 and true freshmen Jessica Cagle with a throw of 163-1 finished 6th and finished only 1 inch off making finals in the shot put.

Just like the men, all three point scorers will return and will be joined by Kim Hovey of Red Wing.

In other regional news ... Wisconsin true freshmen and former Owatonna shot putter Casey Dehn placed 8th with a mark of 56-11 1/2.