Vaulters Headline Gopher Home Opener

Gopher pole vault stars Ben Peterson and Samantha Sonnenberg headlined action at the University of Minnesota's home opening Northwest Open on Saturday.

Peterson, the defending Big Ten indoor champion in the event -- and the 2008 winner as well -- cleared 16-8 3/4 to open his season. Peterson was one of seven Gopher men to win events at the meet.

There's a round-up of the men's meet, HERE, at Gophersports.com. Find men's results HERE.

Sonnenberg, the Big Ten runner-up last year and an NCAA All-American, cleared 13-3 1/2 to better former teammate Alicia Rue who cleared 13-1 1/2.

A round-up of the women's meet is HERE. Find women's results HERE.

Find photos from the meet, HERE, at Becky Miller's Gopher Track Shots web-page.

Photo of Becca Pilkerton by Becky Miller/gophertrackshots.com.