Cheever and Burkstrad are Minnesota Association of USATF Athletes of the Month for April

Jamie Cheever and Travis Burkstrand were selected as the Minnesota Association of USATF Athletes of the Month for April 2013.

Cheever finished second in the 3000 meter steeplechase at the Payton Jordan Invitational on April 28 in a time of 9:29.13, the second-fastest time in the world this year and an “A” standard qualifier for the IAAF World Championship in Moscow this summer. It was a breakthrough performance for the Team USA Minnesota athlete and former University of Minnesota and Southwest (Minneapolis) High School standout, whose previous best in the event was 9:51.42.

Burkstrand won the College/University individual title in the 800 at the Drake Relays on April 27 in 1:49.82. The University of Minnesota senior (Eastview High School) was also on the Gophers’ 4x800 team that won its third Drake Relays title in as many years on April 26. Burkstrand’s individual win was the first Gophers’ title in the individual 800 at Drake.