Twenty-Eight Minnesotans Enter Olympic Trials

Twenty-eight marathoners with ties to Minnesota are entered in the U.S. Olympic Marathon Team Trials scheduled for January 14 in Houston, Texas.

Fourteen Minnesota men and fourteen Minnesota women have achieved a qualifying mark and were accepted to the event after regular entry into the race closed on Friday evening.

Male athletes needed to run a marathon under 2:19:00 to qualify; women needed to better 2:46:00. Provisions also allowed athletes to qualify at other distances or via performances at the USA Marathon Championships.

Minnesota men's qualifiers include: Team USA Minnesota's Andrew Carlson, St. John's University alum Chris Erichsen, Woodbury resident Donovan Fellows, Team USA Minnesota's Matt Gabrielson, University of Minnesota alums Justin Grunewald and Chad Johnson, Team USA Minnesota's Jason Lehmkuhle, Run N Fun's Eric Loeffler, Northfield High School alum Chris Lundstrom, Team USA Minnesota's Josh Moen, Sauk Rapids native Chris Raabe, the Twin Cities Track Club's Mike Reneau, St. Olaf graduate Malcolm Richards, and Stillwater High School alum Luke Watson.

Minnesota women entered in the race include: St. Olaf alum Jenna Boren, Bloomington resident Kelly Brinkman, Foley and Mansfield's Nicole Cueno, former Team USA Minnesota runner Michelle Frey, Duluth East alum Kara Goucher, Moorhead resident Megan Grindall, Chaska High School alum Stephanie Herbst-Lucke, St. Scholastica alum Jennifer Houck, Duluth Marshall alum Katie Koski, Team USA Minesota's Katie McGregor, former Team USA Minnesota runner Kristen Nicolini, Team USA's Meghan Peyton, Gustavus Adolphus alum Nichole Porath, and Robbinsdale Armstrong alumnus Leah Thorvilson.

Find a complete listing of the more than 300 men's and women's Olympic Marathon Trials entrants HERE.