MDRA 7 Mile Photo Album by Wayne Kryduba

Wayne Kryduba's Photo Album for the MDRA 7-Mile is HERE.

Science, Coaches, and the Two Hour Marathon

Discussion on Science, coaches, and the sub two-hour marathon debate HERE.

News: Grand Blue Mile; Baylor/Stanford

.@fastk8, @_garrettheath, @Leomanzano & @HeatherRaeKampf set to run the @GrandBlueMile http://t.co/ODlPFDhUMx pic.twitter.com/ZcoRTKX3Sl
— Portland Track (@PortlandTrack) March 31, 2015

#Gophers @LizBERK, @haleyj_05, Dyson & @kailaurick are set to compete at Stanford this week. http://t.co/r3VhFcAuEY pic.twitter.com/wZAqku9KJe
— Minnesota W TrackCC (@GopherWCCTF) March 31, 2015

Get the details as the #Gophers prepare for the Baylor & Stanford Invitationals this weekend. http://t.co/r3VhFcAuEY pic.twitter.com/eUXDJoJGRH

— Minnesota W TrackCC (@GopherWCCTF) March 31, 2015

Team USA Minnesota runners Gabe Grunewald,  Jon Grey, and Jonathan Peterson will also be making their outdoor track debut for 2015 at Stanford.

Rankings: NCAA DII, DIII

NCAA DII Outdoor rankings are HERE. MSU Mankato Men #2

NCAA DIII are HERE. UW LaCross men and women retain top spots.

MDRA 7-Mile Results

MDRA 7-Mile results are HERE.

Results: Washington Invitational

Washington Invitational results are HERE.
MSU Moorhead summary is HERE. Day 1 summary is HERE.

Weekly NCAA Top Ten List of Best Marks from the Past Week

Best marks in the NCAA(all divisions) HERE.

Results: Herschel Niel Decathlon and Ashley Nally Heptathlon

6,965 points with 4 PR's on day 2. Now #2 in the nation and #3 on MSU's all-time top 10. @MAV_dADdy01 @msumavericks pic.twitter.com/BdJeOYnZjt
— MavTrack™ (MN State) (@MavTrack) March 29, 2015

Herschel Niel Decathlon results are HERE.
Ashley Nally Hepthatlon results are HERE.

Great little track weekend with these toots @ Northwest Missouri State University https://t.co/dc65JZf01N

— Alicia Evans (@AliciaEvans) March 29, 2015

Results: Viking Olympics; Raleigh Relays

Winona State sent team members to the Viking Olympics(Day 1 results HERE.) and the Raleigh Relays (results HERE.  Winona State summaries are HERE(Friday) and HERE(Saturday).

Shamrock Shuffle

Run'N Fun A Team takes fourth in the men's team race HERE.

Searchable individual results HERE.   Ben Sathre first MN male in 7th.  Melissa Agnew first MN female in 30th.

Run n fun team 4th at Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle. I was 7th in 23:42. Realllly windy day in the Chi! pic.twitter.com/aho3yaVjyB
— Ben Sathre (@BenSathre) March 29, 2015

Had a fun @ChiShuffle representing @TwinCitiesTC with John Leaf! pic.twitter.com/LEWvvdXgFM
— Melissa Agnew (@magnew_mel) March 29, 2015

Why is it that ever general race metal they had out is always a bottle opener? Are runners alcoholics? pic.twitter.com/f4WmSjfPJz
— Melissa Agnew (@magnew_mel) March 29, 2015

Whether it's your 1st or your 10th, don't let it be your last. Congrats to everyone who ran the #ShamrockShuffle! pic.twitter.com/pkBK3yAQsI

— Shamrock Shuffle (@ChiShuffle) March 29, 2015

HS Results: All American Invitational

All American Invitational results are HERE. JV results are HERE.

Results: UC Riverside Spring Classic Invite

Four NDSU women ran times that ranked them in the top ten of all-time performances at the school at the Riverside Invitational on Saturday.  NDSU women's summary is HERE.  Men's summary is HERE. Results are HERE.

Summary of Minnetonka grad Angus Stoudt's win in the decathlon on Friday is HERE.  Willmar High grad Rose Jackson was third in the Heptathlon.  Results are HERE. Summary is HERE.

Wayzata grad Michael Smith was on the runner up 4 by 100 relay team. Results HERE.  He was also fifth in the open 400 in 48.52.  Results HERE. He finished the day by anchoring the 4 by 400 relay to a third place finish.  Results are HERE.

Updated: Emporia State U Spring Opener: MSU Mankato 1st in Men's, 3rd in Women's

Men's team are the champs!! ESU Spring Opener! #MavFam @MAV_dADdy01 @msumavericks @MankatoTimes pic.twitter.com/1DSS9kBsiF
— MavTrack™ (MN State) (@MavTrack) March 29, 2015

MSU Mankato women finish third.  St. Cloud State finished 11th in the men's, 13th in the women's. Final official results are HERE.
MSU Mankato men's summary is HERE. Women's is HERE.

St. Cloud State summary is HERE.

Updated: CSB-SJU Quad; Yellow Jacket Spring Open; Point Loma Nazarene U Invite

CSB-SJU Quad results are HERE(men) and HERE(women)
Concordia Moorhead summary is HERE(men) and HERE(women).
St. Ben's summary is HERE.
St. John's summary is HERE.
Hamline men's summary is HERE.  Women HERE.

Yellow Jacket Spring Open results are (by event, men and women) HERE
U-Mary summary is HERE.

Live Results from the Point Loma Nazarene University Invitational are HERE.
Gustavus summary is HERE.

Results: PAC 12/Big 10 Invite; Washington University Invite

Maggie Ewen won the women's discus at the PAC 12/Big 10 Invitational in Tempe, AZ with a season's best throw of 52.98m HERE.  She also finished fifth in the shot with a heave of  14.91m.  Shot Put results are HERE.  Live Results are HERE.

Mason Ferlic was 18th in the men's 1500 in 3:52.75. Results HERE.

MSU Moorhead day one summary for the Washington University Invitational is HERE. Preview is HERE.

Year of the Pole Vault: Mark Volker

Back-to-back Indoor Pole Vault champ Mark Volker goes outdoors by Sports Editor @Gin026: http://t.co/gJxrb4NVLy. pic.twitter.com/8TQ5fya4Xm

— The Oracle (@HamlineOracle) March 27, 2015

Weather: Neither Snow, Nor Wind, Nor...

...Nothing keeps them from practice

A little snow didn't stop @HUPipers from having a great track workout (and a lot of fun!) on Monday! #goHU https://t.co/tIyyUyPdiM

— Hamline T&F/XC (@HamlineTFXC) March 27, 2015

Youth Running: Keep it Fun

Some opinions on youth running HERE.

Stats: ARRS Database

For all those who can't get enough running statistics, the ARRS Database is now online HERE

Luca Wieland: the Path to the Championship

Luca Wieland and Garrett Scantling approach the finish of the 1000
Photo courtesy of the University of Minnesota

The journey to the NCAA Indoor Track men's heptathlon title began two years ago in an unlikely place, Berlin, Germany.  It was then and there that a promising young athlete named Luca Wieland was making plans for his future when opportunity presented itself in the form of a University of Wisconsin Madison coach who came to Germany to entice talented German athletes to give the US collegiate system a try.

Unbenownst to Luca the coaching staff at the University of Minnesota was also searching for a specific talent to recruit. Steve Plasencia, the Gopher's head track and cross country coach, notes that the coaches divide up the recruiting according to their event responsibilities.  "We all recruit our own areas," said Plasencia. That meant that Paul Thornton, an assistant coach for the Gophers who works with the sprinters, hurdlers, and multi-event athletes was charged with finding some multi eventers who would be interested in Minnesota.

Each "recruiting class," student athletes with the talents the Gopher's want that year, has specific goals.  In 2013 one of those goals was to find multi event athletes.  The search for prospects begins "in our back yard," said Thornton, looking at athletes from around the State and surrounding areas.  They also get inquiries from recruiting services. In 2013 one of those the service provided was Luca.  After sorting through all the prospects "we were looking at three guys," said Thornton, "and one of those was Luca."

A soccer player until he was 14, Luca's parents urged him to try track.  Without practicing specifically for track "I won" my events, said Wieland.  "You always like what you're good at," he said, and from that point on he was a track athlete.

His success in track got him thinking about the future.  Luca wanted to "go pro," become proficient enough in track to make an Olympic team, to rise to the top of the sport.  "I'm a really ambitious person," Wieland said, meaning that he didn't want to be just good.  He wanted to be the best he could be.  In Germany the opportunity to mix being the best he could be academically and athletically wasn't possible, he said.  You had to choose one or the other.

In the US he saw the opportunity to get a first class education while training to reach his equally lofty goals in athletics. Thornton got in touch via email, followed up with Facebook messaging and then talking the phone. Talking a "couple of times a week" during the recruiting process, said Thornton.  Wieland was not only a potentially top athlete, he was a top student as well, said Thornton.  Wieland wanted a school that could satisfy his academic as well as his athletic needs.

The Gopher program offered Wieland both, said Thornton.  "He was attracted by the big city(Minneapolis)," Thornton said.  "He was impressed with the quality of education he could get, the history of multi event talent we've had here at the University...The decathlon is such a demanding event that it is important to have training partners. It's not the sort of event you train for alone."  The coaches wanted a decathlete who could also score points in an individual event.  Luca fit that description as he "has a lot of speed" and was a good long jumper with a PR of 24'3".

Wieland had interest from other schools as well, but decided on Minnesota early, and began to put a plan in place.  "He had a plan on how to develop," said Thornton.  In athletics and academics, you need to have a plan to succeed, he added.  Life is always throwing you curves, but it helps to have a foundation to build on or switch to and from if you want to be successful.

Academically, Wieland decided to enroll in the business program at the U of M with the ultimate goal to go back to Germany after his collegiate career was over and attempt to get into medical school. The main advantage being that medical school in Germany is "free," no cost for the tuition, which is a major burden for medical students in the US.  The challenge in Germany is to get into medical school, not how to pay for it.

It's an intense, six year program, after which you start practicing medicine.  Depending on how things go in 2016 and beyond, Wieland may have to shift his academic/career goals until his athletic career has run its course. Luca will have his first shot at making the German team for Rio in 2016.  With his win at this year's NCAA Indoor championships and breaking the 6000 point barrier,  Luca believes he has the potential to achieve that goal. "I am really ambitious person," he repeated, but not unrealistic.

His score at NCAAs ranks second among German multi eventers this year.  He accomplished despite some significant obstacles.  When he arrived in Minnesota last year, he was hobbled by a persistent hamstring injury.  Much of his first year was dealing with that injury, getting healthy.  At points along the way he wondered if his lofty athletic goals were possible.  He believed he has the talent.  The question remained would he be able to develop that talent despite his seemingly fragile hamstrings.

One answer to that question may have come via this year's Big Ten indoor championships.  Prior to the event, Luca was not sure he would get to or through the meet.  The hamstring troubles had flared up again and resulted in treatment from the Gopher trainers.  "They did a great job getting me through it," said Wieland,.who whe won the Big Ten title and gained confidence in time for NCAA's two weeks later.

In Arkansas for the ultimate collegiate test, Luca's talent blossomed.  While he didn't come into it with his eye on the national title, he said he knew he had the talent to win if things went right.  They did as he scored personal bests in nearly every event and came into the last event having only one obstacle separating him from the NCAA heptathlon crown, the pre-meet favorite for the title, Georgia's Garrett Scantling.

"What an outstanding competition," said Thornton of the battle between Luca and Garrett.  "(Scantling) did everything he could to win it."  While Scantling came up two points short he and Luca may have begun a rivalry with this being Act One.  Luca used his speed and jumping ability to take the lead early on, open a 100 point gap after day one, and continued to produce clutch performances on the second day to come away with the win.

For Luca it was a confidence boost and a relief that the injuries may be behind him and the athletic goals that he has are more than just an ambition.  Plasencia was impressed with Luca's ability to focus on the challenge and execute under pressure.  "He never showed any kind of chink (in his armor)," said Plasencia.  When it came time for the last event, the 1000 meters, not a strong suit for Weiland, he and the coaches talked over the strategy, the race plan.

It was a simple plan, but the execution was not.  Luca had to be Scantling's shadow, stay close and hope that Garrett couldn't break him.  "I wanted to beat him(Scantling),"  said Wieland.  He didn't want to feel like he was "backing into" the title.  His plan was to follow Scantling through to the final straight and launch his kick off that final curve.

He was in position, but also in "traffic" as several other runners became obstacles and Scantling was able to navigate the congestion better than Luca.  As a result the final straight kick was not a triumphant charge toward the finish, but a mad dash to maintain his lead.  Luca kept the two point gap and learned a lot about himself.

"I didn't think could push myself that hard," said Wieland, but he discovered that he had what it took when the pressure was on and the title was up for grabs. The path to the title was not easy, but that only made it more rewarding.

Science: Exercise "Sweat Spot"

How much exercise is enough, too much?  The debate continues HERE

News: Kara Goucher

Kara Goucher talks about the past year and her plans for 2015-16 HERE

News: More Drake Relays entries; Recruiting; Running Shoe Advice

Here's a look at the phenomenal athletes we announced today for the #DrakeRelays that promise #theskyisthelimit pic.twitter.com/F37RhNsNCT

— Drake Relays (@DrakeRelays) March 25, 2015

Read an interesting suggestion today: if you're a thrower or jumper and you want to compete in college, take video of your jumps/throws

— John Davis (@JDruns) March 25, 2015

@GQMagazine wanted me to do a cover shoot but I was unavailable so just gave them running shoe advice: http://t.co/qO81dL1bht

— Dennis Barker (@dbinsaintpaul) March 19, 2015

Rankings: DIII

NCAA DIII Outdoor Track rankings HERE.

Awards: Big 10 AOW; Summit League Indoor AOY

Congrats to the Big Ten Field Athlete of the Week -- @Gianlo_Ferretti! #Gophers pic.twitter.com/0TBKZG3TZH
— Minnesota M CC/TF (@GopherMCCTF) March 25, 2015

Erin Teschuk has been named the Summit League Indoor Track Athlete of the Year! 3rd straight Bison woman to win. pic.twitter.com/mezca8A9nj
— NDSU Track & Field (@NDSUTrackField) March 25, 2015

Rankings: NCAA DI, DII

NCAA DI Outdoor rankings HERE.

NCAA DII rankings are HERE.

News: Need for Speed; Scissor kicking 1.95m; Gopher Indoor Stats; Rethwisch/Fulbright Scholar; Rio; Ferretti; Sometimes a Hurdle is just an Opportunity in Disguise; Importance of Kids Being Active: Edwin Moses

Must be outdoor track season, Sun Sailor profiles Wayzata sprinters  HERE.

Kids, don't try this at home

DROP EVERYTHING! Watch @mutazbarshim casually scissor-kick over 1.95m ... and a journalist! #jump pic.twitter.com/zXAAsc6zVo
— IAAF (@iaaforg) March 24, 2015

2015 Gopher men's indoor performance list is HERE.

Big congrats to @RRethwisch on receiving a Fulbright Scholarship for post-graduate work in Brazil! #ScholarAthletes pic.twitter.com/iXXDoKfu6S
— Minnesota W TrackCC (@GopherWCCTF) March 22, 2015

Helpful reminder from the Oslo Olympic Training Center @IKTjalve pic.twitter.com/RlZcMEKHkD
— Annie Bersagel (@AnnieBersagel) March 24, 2015

You may be able to figure it out, but loosely translated it says: 500 days until the Olympics in Rio

Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle preview of Alexi Pappas, filmmaker, writer, actress, and she runs pretty quick too HERE.

Gopher hammer thrower Gian Ferretti gets a mention and short bio in Long Throws HERE.

@emmajcoburn @dcrainmakerblog #trackpictuesday And sometimes, a hurdle is just an opportunity in disguise. pic.twitter.com/76l2jgoc3V
— Ryan (@ressler) March 25, 2015

Edwin Moses on the importance of helping kids stay active HERE.

News: NCAA Indoors DIII outstanding performers ;Hamline to Host US Paralympics Championships; Gophers, Marathon March Madness

USTFCCCA NCAA DIII Outstanding Performers HERE

As announced last week, Hamline will host US Paralympics T&F Championships June 19-21, 2015 HERE.

Minnesota Daily story on Gopher men and women's first outdoor meets HERE.

Marathon "March Madness." HERE.

US Masters Indoor Championships

A Summary of Minnesota results from the USATF Indoor Masters Championships this past weekend in North Carolina.

Kathy Haubrich was part of the champion Athena team that won the 4 by 200 W55 relay in 2:09.47. Haubrich was ninth in the 200 meter prelims in 35.47.

Brian Lundberg won the M45 3K in 9:48.21.
Pat Billig was second in the M50  3K in 9:38

Susan Loyd finished third in the W55 60 meters in 9.74.  She was eighth in the W55 400 meters in 1:18.98, and was also eighth in the W200 meter prelims in 33.79. Loyd was also a member of the winning 4 by 400 team in the non-club division(team was made up of "unattached" runners who were members of different teams). They were timed in 5:41.78.

Jim Schoffman finished third in the M60 60 meters in 8.69.  He was seventh in the 400 meters in 1:03.08, and was a member of the runner-up Mass Velocity M60 4 by 200 relay that was timed in 2:01.32.

Gene Niemi's Irish Run Photo Album

They're off and running. Leaders following eventual winner, Ben Sathre(190), Masters men's champ
Pat Billig on the right side of the photo(#343, black singlet and shorts with a blue long sleeve shirt underneath)
Photo by Gene Niemi

A Leprechaun looking for his pot of gold. Photo by Gene Niemi

Ben Sathre crossing the finish. Photo by Gene Niemi

The chase pack.  Eric Loeffler(353), Dan Greeno(171),
Matt Boumeester(behind Greeno's right shoulder), Patrick Richie(263),
Marty Mitchell(185) and Scott Behlin(61)Photo by Gene Niemi

The battle is on in the women's race between Laura Paulsen(642) and
Katie McGregor(223).  Photo by Gene Niemi

Katie McGregor pulls away for the win. Photo by Gene Niemi

Bethel Women Second, Men Fourth in California

Bethel's women finished second and the men were fourth in their first outdoor meet of the season at the Ross and Sharon Irvine Invitational.

Bethel summary is HERE(within the Bethel SID daily listing of how Bethel athletes are spending their Spring Break.)

Full meet results are HERE.

Irish Run: USATF 8K Championships

Start of USATF Minnesota 8km Championship. pic.twitter.com/Lv9eMWaTha
— USATF Minnesota (@USATFMN) March 22, 2015

Just past 1 mile. @BenSathre leading the men. @runnfun with early men's team lead. pic.twitter.com/hDuz8lSrWc
— USATF Minnesota (@USATFMN) March 22, 2015

Coming in for the USATF Minnesota 8km title is @BenSathre. 23:56 unofficially. Leading @runnfun men to the title. pic.twitter.com/j8A6EE7CUO
— USATF Minnesota (@USATFMN) March 22, 2015

USATF Minnesota women's 8km Champion is @slprun. Unofficially 27:58.
— USATF Minnesota (@USATFMN) March 22, 2015

Katie McGregor the USATF Minnesota 8k Champion! pic.twitter.com/REGTP0Ztvj
— USATF Minnesota (@USATFMN) March 22, 2015

Men's and women's top ten are HERE.  Full results(overall/male/female/age groups) are HERE.

Of interest in the Masters race, two medallists in the 3K at the USATF Masters Indoor T&F Championships in North Carolina this weekend made it back to the Twin Cities in time to run the Irish Run.  Pat Billig, 52, was the top male Masters finisher(37th overall) in 27:02.  Brian Lundberg, 49, was tenth Masters finisher(65th overall) in 28:29.

Lundberg, Billig, Loyd, Schoffman, and Mistor at USATF Masters Indoor Championships

Brian Lundberg won the M45 Masters 3K in 9:48.21 at the USATF Masters Indoor Championships in North Carolina.  Pat Billig was runner up in the M50 age group in the 3K in 9:38.34.  Susan Loyd finished third in the W55 60 Meter dash in 9.74 and eighth in the 400 Meters  in 1:18.98. Jim Schoffman was seventh in the M60 400 in 1:03.08, 11th in the prelims of the M60 60 Meters in 8.69

Masters Live Results are HERE.

Gopher Men Third at Baldy Castillo Invite, Bradley Johnson Wins 800; Maggie Ewen and Shaina Burns Busy in Women's Competition

The University of Minnesota  men's team finished third at the Baldy Castillo Invitational on Saturday in Tempe, AZ. Texas A&M won and host Arizona State was second. Sophomore Bradley Johnson  won the 800 in 1:50.35 for the Gopher's only individual title

Two Minnesota high school standouts had busy days in the women's competition.  St. Francis grad Maggie Ewen took third in the shot(15m/49'2.5") and discus(51.86/170'2").  Lakeville South grad Shaina Burns, who now competes for Texas A&M,  was 8th in the shot(14.15m/46'5.25"), 9th in the 100-meter hurdles(15.25) and 10th in the high jump(1.61m/5'3.25").

Full results are HERE. Gopher men's summary is HERE.

Results: HS Early Bird; Wayzata TT

Out at the U of M for the early bird high school indoor meet! Several good results already pic.twitter.com/7ImxguORWY
— John Davis (@JDruns) March 21, 2015

Results are  HERE.

Update on Wayzata TT: full results from the meet are HERE.

Tyler Germann and Mckenzie Holt Win O'Gara's Irish Day 8K

Iowa's Tyler Germann and St. Cloud's Mckenzie Holt won the O'Gara's Irish Run 8K Saturday in St. Paul.  On a new course that had the runners going down Selby Avenue in St. Paul instead of Summit Avenue, Germann was timed in 25:19 and Holt 29:57.  Top ten finishers for men and women are HERE.
All 196 8K finishers are HERE.

Carrie Tollefson went after it in the 5K winning overall in a time of 18:46.  Maplewood's Brian Skelly was first male in second in 23:07.Full results for the 145 finishers are HERE.  Top 10 for men and women is HERE.

Results: Eden Prairie TT Indoor;Wayzata TT Indoor

Final Results of Intrasquad True Team Meet White 2661 Red 2521 Black 2397 Neon 2227 The White Team wins the coveted Gold Shoe Trophy
— EP Track & Field (@edenprairietf) March 21, 2015

Final from inaugural Wayzata True Team from the U of MN. Team White takes trophy over Blue 2001 to 1944. Gold at 1867 and Black at 1781

— Wayzata Track&Field (@WayzataTrack) March 21, 2015

Gopher Men Start Off with School Record in Tempe

The University of Minnesota men started with a new school record by Gianlo Ferretti in the hammer throw(68.94m/226'3") in the first outdoor competition of the 2015 season at the Baldy Castillo Invitational in Tempe, AZ.  Two more events were scheduled for the first day of the meet, the men's and women's 1500.  Live results are HERE.  Link to the Video of the throw is HERE.

Gopher summary is HERE.
Our friends North and South of Minnesota fared well in the 1500s:

"The best mass finish in Iowa men's history" -Coach Wiz on tonights 1500 in Tempe. Great day for Hawkeye sports all around!
— Michael Scott Hart (@mikeshart12) March 21, 2015

Canadian Olympian Nicole Sifuentes won the women's 1500 in 4:15.06.

Gopher Women Dominate Jaguar Challenge

The University of Minnesota women's team won 13 titles in their outdoor track opener at the Jaguar Challenge against South Alabama on Friday.
Gopher summary is HERE.
Results are HERE.

News: An Unusual Running Club

Sometimes all you need is to run ....Via @nprnews: From Skid Row To Rome: The Story Of An Unusual Running Club http://t.co/FBsFXMVAGc
— Gina Valgoi (@ginavalgoi) March 20, 2015

Outdoor Dual Meet Rankings, Week 1: Gophers Start Outdoor Season

National and Regional NCAA DI Men's Outdoor Dual meet rankings are HERE. Minnesota men ranked fifth in the Midwest Region. Women's National and Regional rankings HERE. Gopher women seventh in the National rankings, second in the Midwest Region.

Gopher men are in Arizona prepping for the Baldy Castillo Invitational.  Preview HERE. Gopher women are ranked 20th in the USTFCCCA team rankings that include both cross country and track season HERE  The women's outdoor season begins in Alabama on Friday. Preview HERE.

Masters

Two additions to the Minnesotans competing at the USATF Masters Indoors this weekend in North Carolina: Brian Lundberg and Pat Billig will be running the mile and the 3K--From Jim Schoffman

Science/Medicine: Foot Core

If you have foot injuries, look to your "foot core" for solutions HERE.

News: Wisconsin Coaches Sweep DIII Awards; USATF Championships Qualfying Standards

Wisconsin coaches swept the USTFCCCA NCAA DIII Indoor Track Coach of the Year awards HERE.

USATF Outdoor Championship qualifying standards are HERE.

Emily Gordon on her Gate River Run 15K experience HERE.

Medtronic TCM 2014 champion Tyler Pennel's blog on training and racing HERE.

Results: Wayzata Intrasquad Meet

Results from the Wayzata intrasquad meet run outdoors on Friday the 13th HERE. Video of fast heat in the 1600 is HERE.

News: Finish Line; Masters Indoor Championships

What not to do when you're job is to hold the finish tape HERE.

Three Minnesotans: Susan Loyd of Edina, Kathy Haubrich of Shakopee and Jim Schoffman of Fridley are entered in this weekend's USATF Masters Indoor Championships. 

Susan is entered in the W55 60m, 200m and 400m.  She’s coming off knee surgery, so I don’t know if she’ll actually attempt all three.  Kathy is entered in the W55 200m and 400m. Jim is entered in the 60m, 200m, 400m and 800m.  The early entry deadline sometimes forces people to enter before they’re sure of which events they’re going to be ready for.  But for Jim, the 60-200-400-800 combination is not unusual.--from Tom Langenfeld.

USATF Masters preview is HERE.

NCAA Champ, Winona State's Kaitlyn Long Talks Weight Throw

Video interview with Winona State's Kaitlyn Long, NCAA DII weight throw champion HERE

Minnesota Runner's Yearbook 2014

The Minnesota Runner's Yearbook is out and available online HERE.

NCAA: DIII All Americans; DII Outdoor Rankings

NCAA DIII All Americans list is HERE.

NCAA DII Outdoor Track rankings HERE.

Results: Lake Johanna 4-Mile; Maggie Ewen

MDRA Lake Johanna 4 Mile results. Thanks to @hermosaboy for directing and all the volunteers. Record turnout! http://t.co/UF7WXdf4m0
— RunMDRA (@RunMDRA) March 17, 2015

Some dated news, St. Francis HS grad  Maggie Ewen, competing for Arizona State finished second in the shot put at the MPSF conference meet on February 28 with a PR of 16.08m/52' 9.25".

NCAA Recaps

NCAA DI summary is HERE.

List of DI All Americans HERE.

List of DII All Americans HERE.

DIII recap of sprints HERE, field events HERE, and distance events HERE.

Results: Blair and Weiss/NB Nationals

East Ridge's Allyson Weiss and Highland Park's Meagan Blair competed in the jumps at New Balance Indoor Nationals over the weekend.  Weiss finished 9th in the triple jump with a leap of 11.85m/38'10.5".  Blair was 13th jumping 11.71m/38'5".  In the Emerging Elite long jump Blair was 14th  with a leap of 5.31m/17'5.25", and Weiss was 19th with 5.23m/17'2".

News: Peyton/LA/Positivity; Lifetime Fitness Sold; Global Heroes; Portland 2016

Team USA Minnesota's Meghan Peyton blogs on the LA Marathon experience and positivity HERE.

Life Time Fitness sold to private equity investers HERE.

Medtronic recruiting "Global Heroes" for tenth team to run the Twin Cities Marathon  HERE.

In one year, the World Indoor Champs are coming to Portland - green track and all! @Portland2016 @GoTrackTownUSA pic.twitter.com/aHDHu2R9bV

— Benjamin Blankenship (@benfblankenship) March 16, 2015

MIAC DIII Photo Album

Great job @MIACathletics T&F! Apologies to those missed @StOlafSports @CarletonKnights @BethelRoyals @MACathletics https://t.co/IL7uaq9hwU

— Terry Goeman (@tpg7988) March 16, 2015

Gopher Photo Album on Luca Wieland's Heptathlon Triumph

Gopher photo album featuring NCAA DI Heptathlon chmps Luca Wieland is HERE

LA Marathon is Hot, Hot, Hot; NYC is Not, Not, Not

Best volunteer ever RT @kristenlayden: this kid spraying water on the runners wins the #lamarathon https://t.co/KmgJIFUMTV
— Tim Layden (@SITimLayden) March 15, 2015

@nutMEGrunner finishes 11th overall in the @lamarathon and 8th in the US Championship field with a 2:41:50. Great race Meghan!
— Team USA Minnesota (@TeamUSAMN) March 15, 2015

LA Marathon results are HERE

Always want to run faster, but certainly no shame in being 2nd US with a run like that from @MollyHuddle! #UnitedNYCHalf
— Annie Bersagel (@AnnieBersagel) March 15, 2015

NYC Half results are HERE.

St. Thomas NCAA DIII Photo Album

UST Women's T&F Weekend 6 Student Athletes at Indoor Nationals, 6 All Americans, 1 National Championship. Congrats! https://t.co/Y5UCA06HuW

— Terry Goeman (@tpg7988) March 15, 2015

D2: Winona State 4th in 1600m Relay, Rausch 4th in Shot; Trost 4th, Montoyne 6th in W Mile,...

Highest ever team finish and most points ever scored at NCAA Championships! #SoProud #WarriorStrong
— Winona State T&F (@WinonaStateTF) March 15, 2015

Winona State finished fourth in the 1600 Meter relay.  Results HERE.
WSU's Alissa Rausch was fourth in the shot put. Concordia St. Paul's Martina Ware was 15th.  Results are HERE.

First ever relay All-Americans! Megan Seidl, Kelsey Bethke, Brittany Schyvinck, Catherine Whitcomb pic.twitter.com/MLvLbhzq80
— Winona State T&F (@WinonaStateTF) March 15, 2015

Winona State summary is HERE

NSIC Strong!!!! Congrats @MollyMontonye @emitrost @NorthernSunConf @UMDBulldogs @DragonAthletics 1 Mile All Americans pic.twitter.com/tGhMJ0mD50
— chad markuson (@ChadMarkuson) March 14, 2015

UMD's Emi Trost was 4th and MSU Moorheads Molly Montoyne 6th in the womens' mile.  Results HERE.
UMD summary is HERE.

MSU Moorhead's Chelsea Klemenson finished tied for 7th in the womens' high jump.  Results are HERE. MSU Moorhead summary is HERE

MSU Mankato's Nathan Hancock finished 7th in the Heptathlon.  Results are HERE. Mankato mens' summary is HERE.  Women HERE.

Matadi 4th place in the 60m. top 5 times were 6.72, 6.72, 6.73, 6.73, 6.73....close race! All-American #OutdoorBeast pic.twitter.com/uhhtRTwNfL
— MavTrack™ (MN State) (@MavTrack) March 14, 2015

Kathyrn Stewart of U-Mary finished 8th in the 200. Results are HERE. U-Mary summary is HERE.

U-Mary's Danylle Kurywchak was 8th in the triple jump.  MSU Mankato's Anna Veroeven finished 14th.  St. Cloud State's Patience Yalartai was 18th.  Results are HERE.

U-Mary's Alexis Zeis 8th, UMD's Hannah Olson was12th and Sam Rivard 15th.  Results HERE.

MSU Moorhead finished 11th in the 1600 Meter Relay.  Results are HERE.

Results by day, event, multis, and team scores HERE.
Mens' team scores are HERE. Womens' HERE

DI: Gophers Luca Wieland Wins DI M Heptathlon; Herauf(Gophers), Teschuk(NDSU), and Ellenson(Marquette) Place in Others

University of Minnesota's Luca Wieland won the men's heptathlon by two points at the NCAA DI Championships.  Results are HERE.  Video interview with Luca Wieland is HERE.

Hats Off to @LucaRaiWieland, the #NCAATF Heptathlon Champion! #SkiUMah pic.twitter.com/CpJWQ9TxhK
— Minnesota Gophers (@GopherSports) March 14, 2015

And @LucaRaiWieland is the 2015 #NCAATF heptathlon champion in the closest finish in meet history! New #Gophers record of 6,070!
— Minnesota M CC/TF (@GopherMCCTF) March 14, 2015

Gopher women's Jess Herauf 5th in Pentathlon.  Results are HERE.

NDSU's Erin Teschuk 5th in the mile and 7th in the 3K.  Mile results are HERE.  3K results are HERE.

Coach and @ErinTeschuk after an incredible day. RT if she should get tomorrow off... Favorite if it's back to work! pic.twitter.com/feDPPu7WhO
— NDSU DISTANCE (@BisonDistance) March 15, 2015

Marquette's Wally Ellenson 3rd in the HJ.  Results HERE.

Thank you all for the support! Proud to represent Marquette today! Wanted 1st but blessed to take 3rd #glory2god
— TheKangarooKid (@wallyellenson) March 15, 2015

Team Scores are HERE. Full results by event are HERE.

News: USATF Board Votes 12-1 to Retain Stephanie Hightower as the USATF Candidate for the IAAF Council; Death of IOC Rule 40

USATF Board votes 12-1 to stick with its controversial Anaheim decision: http://t.co/JP2z8EK10W
— Track and Field News (@tandfn) March 14, 2015

Rule 40 Is (almost) Dead! And that's a very good thing for Olympians. Here's why: http://t.co/MLVc8ID87w

— Outside Magazine (@outsidemagazine) March 15, 2015

DIII: Escher Wins M Mile; Campbell the 3K ;Reeves Wins W Shot; Engstrom 7th in W Mile; Hovie 5th in M HJ

CHAMPIONS! Congrats to the FOUR @NCAADIII Ind. T&F Champs from the #MIAC! @StOlafSports @CobberSID @TommieAthletics pic.twitter.com/Y0MBWbN0H8
— MIAC (@MIACathletics) March 15, 2015

St. Olaf's Paul Escher won the DIII men's mile.  Results HERE.
Post race video interview HERE. St. Olaf coach Dave Griffith handed out the awards for the men's mile.

 St. Olaf's Grant Wintheiser came within a few steps of leading the race from start to finish as teammate Jake Campbell expolded in the final lap to take the win.  Wayzata grad Josh Thorson of UW Eau Claire finished third. Results are HERE.
Video Interviews with Jake Campbell HERE, and Grant Wintheiser HERE
St. Olaf mens' summary is HERE.


St. Thomas' Melissa Engstrom 7th in women's mile. Results HERE.
St. Thomas summary is HERE.

Concordia Moorhead's Cherae Reeves won the women's shot put. Results HERE.
Concordia Moorhead summary is HERE.
Carleton summary is HERE.
Minnesota Morris's Kao Sutton 10th, Hamline's Jessica Putland 7th.
Minnesota Morris summary is HERE.
Hamline summary is HERE.

CHERAE REEVES IS THE NCAA NATIONAL CHAMPION! CHERAE REEVES IS THE NCAA NATIONAL CHAMPION! pic.twitter.com/oLauKZkfCC
— Cobber Athletics (@CobberSID) March 14, 2015

Cherae Reeves becomes the 1st Cobber natty champ since @PhilMoenkedick in 2011 and is the 6th CC individual NCAA National Champion!
— Cobber Athletics (@CobberSID) March 14, 2015

Here is the newest Cobber NATIONAL CHAMPION Cherae Reeves & throw coach Dave Reuter at the NCAA awards presentation. pic.twitter.com/vEQW1JpaYR
— Cobber Athletics (@CobberSID) March 14, 2015

Maclaester's Logan Hovie 5th in high jump. Results HERE.

St. Olaf's Dani Larson 11th.  Results are HERE.
St. Olaf womens' summary is HERE.

St. Scholastica's Kevin Wagner 11th in the Heptathlon. Results HERE.
St. Scholastica summary is HERE
.
Full results including team scores HERE.

UPDATED WITH CORRECTIONS, DIII: Josh Thorson Anchors UW EC DMR Title; Tommies Win W DMR; Larson 7th in Pentathlon; Solberg 17th in Weight Throw; Wagner 12th in Heptathlon

Josh Thorson came out of nowhere to win the DMR for the @UWECblugolds. Here's what the whole relay had to say: https://t.co/OoDVCgXD8Z
— USTFCCCA (@USTFCCCA) March 14, 2015

Men's DMR results HERE.
St. Scholastica summary is HERE.
St Olaf's Dani Larson 7th in Pentathlon, results HERE.
Bethel's Alyssa Solberg 17th in weight throw, results HERE. Annika Halverson finished 12th in the Mile prelims.  Results are HERE.
St. Thomas women's DMR won in 11:45.26. Carleton finished 6th. Results are HERE. St. Thomas' Gabrielle Pepin was 7th in the women's 5K. Results are HERE.
St. Olaf's Jake Campbell was 4th in the men's 5K. Results are HERE.
.

@DowntheBackstre UST Women's DMR National Champs pic.twitter.com/gNFuRCnQJQ
— Terry Goeman (@tpg7988) March 14, 2015

(L to R) Colette Celichowski, Emma Grisanzio, Ellie Wilson, Ruth Steinke

The story behind the women's 5K turning into a 4.8K HERE.

Winona State's Kaitlyn Long Wins Women's DII Weight Throw; U-Mary's Davina Carr 5th in Pole Vault, Women's DMR also 5th

#NationalChamp pic.twitter.com/JfnAZVgR8k
— Winona State T&F (@WinonaStateTF) March 13, 2015

Results are HERE. Winona State summary is HERE.

Davina is just a little bit happy. #GoBigOrange pic.twitter.com/T1lwudeIwQ
— UMary T&F & XC (@UMaryTFXC) March 13, 2015

U-Mary's Davina Carr places 5th in pole vault, results HERE.
Marauder women's DMR also fifth. MSU Mankato's Bryanna Sudman was 9th in the pole vault. Results HERE. 

U-Mary Summary is HERE.

Lexi runs a 4:57 Mile leg, ladies finish 5th place. All-American.
— UMary T&F & XC (@UMaryTFXC) March 14, 2015

St. Cloud State summary is HERE. Becky Schmidt 10th and Patience Yalartai 15th in long jump.  Results HERE.

UMD's Samatha Rivard 10th in the 5K. Results HERE. UMD DMR finishes 10th results HERE.

MSU Mankato's Nathan Hancock is 7th and Concordia St. Paul's Colin Goligoski is 14th after the first day of the Heptathlon. Results are HERE.

MSU Mankato men's summary is HERE. Women's HERE.

Southwest Minnesota State summary is HERE.

MSU Moorhead summary is HERE.

Gophers Luca Wieland Leads the Heptathlon after Day 1

University of Minnesota multi eventer Luca Wieland leads the competition after completion of day one. He has a 100 point lead over Buffalo's Mike Morgan.  Results are HERE.

NCAA DI live results are HERE.

Gopher summary is HERE.

Gopher women's preview is HERE.

BLOG: Day 1 of the #NCAATF D1 men's heptathlon had all-time marks to set up dramatic day 2. http://t.co/wDhXZuXDgl pic.twitter.com/igmlzffNU6
— USTFCCCA (@USTFCCCA) March 13, 2015

NDSU summary is HERE.

4:34.25 for Erin! New school record & the 2nd-fastest qualifier to tomorrow's NCAA final!
— NDSU Track & Field (@NDSUTrackField) March 13, 2015

NCAA DI recap is HERE.

NCAA DIII Previews

Bethel preview is HERE.

St. Thomas women's preview is HERE.

Macalester men's preview is HERE.

St. Scholastica preview HERE.

Minnesota Morris preview is HERE.

Hamline women's preview is HERE.

St. Thomas, Concordia Moorhead, St. Olaf  don't have previews.  MIAC preview is HERE.

NCAA DIII summary page HERE.

NCAA DII Previews

Preview for MSU Mankato HERE and HERE

St. Cloud State preview HERE.

Winona State preview HERE.

U-Mary preview HERE.

MSU Moorhead preview HERE.

Southwest Minnesota State preview is HERE.

UMD preview HERE.

Concordia St. Paul preview is HERE.

Video interview with UMD captain Hannah Olson HERE.

NCAA results and video page HERE

Sportsmanship

Thanks to @CobberSID for the photo, @CSBBlazers for the story and @espnW for running it! http://t.co/Jlmg480tL4 #miac pic.twitter.com/fcFookfule

— MIAC (@MIACathletics) March 12, 2015

MIAC Indoor Track Awards

Men's indoor track awards HERE.

Women's HERE.

News: Podominick/USATF Grant; More on USATF "Family Feud";

Gopher grad Liz Podominick awarded USATF Foundation Grant HERE.

More on the USATF "Family Feud" rift caused by the IAAF Council seat votes HERE.

Ultrarunning

Speed, gender, and age, a look at the demographics of ultrarunning HERE.

NCAA: DIII Previews; DII Previews;

NCAA DIII men's preview is HERE, USTFCCCA DIII preview is HERE.

NCAA DII men's preview is HERE, women's HERE USTFCCCA DII preview is HERE.

Nationals Squad!!! #Number1s @USTFCCCA @msumavericks pic.twitter.com/vJwk4VIksB

— MavTrack™ (MN State) (@MavTrack) March 12, 2015

NCAA Social, Dressed to Impress! #CalmBeforeTheStorm #NCAAIDCHAMPS pic.twitter.com/cRu4fdrMDN

— Eric Hanenberger (@SCSUHUSKIES_XTF) March 13, 2015

At Regions Field for the NCAA banquet pic.twitter.com/6ldmMTGoET
— UMD T&F/CC (@UMDTFCC) March 12, 2015

NCAA broadcast schedule HERE.

Ben Blankenship Breaking Out

Ben Blankenship winning a preliminary heat of the 1500 at the
2013 USATF Outdoor Track Championships. Photo by Gene Niemi

The frustration of the last two years has evaporated for Ben Blankenship during the indoor season.  Not only has he been running PRs, he's been a contender.  The sport's pundits have labeled it a "breakout" season.  Blankenship has been breathing a sigh of relief.

"There was a lot of pressure going into indoors," Blankenship says.  "I haven't run well for two years now."  He'd won some road miles, run a fast time to win one of them, the 2013 Minnesota Mile in Duluth, but the road success didn't spill over onto the track. The "silver lining," however, was the fact that he'd strung together a year of injury free, high intensity training.  He'd found a compatible training partner in Nike Oregon TC Elite teammate Ciaran O'Lionard.

The duo has different strengths, Blankenship's being endurance and O'Lionard's speed.  More importantly, however, the pair's strengths were not so superior to the other's so that their workouts became opportunities to improve their weaknesses rather than being more like a race than training.  As he has gotten older and wiser, Blankenship said, he'd begun to understand the difference.  Racing was to win.  Training was to develop the tools to make winning possible.  

Blankenship, like most to elite athletes, would be categorized as off the charts in competitiveness, which is often necessary for racing, not so much in training.  Blankenship's training partners had most often been too fast or too strong, thus each training session was more intense than necessary.  Fatigue and, eventually, injury followed.  Blankenship and his coach, Mark Rowland, an Olympic medallist in the steeplechase, have put together a more collaborative training plan of late.

Rowland is "open to ideas in training," and "this is the first year I've taken the reigns more," said Blankenship. "I have a great support system."  In addition to O'Lionard and Rowland, Blankenship credits the environment in Flagstaff, AZ, where an increasing number of top middle distance runners are migrating  for altitude training, with being equally accommodating and helpful in his progress this season.

The facilities in Flagstaff are available to run indoors if snow and ice storms make outdoor workouts difficult at best.  Plus there are other like-minded and talented athletes to train with occasionally, bounce ideas off of, or just hang out with during the build up to each season.  The indoor season this year was a chance to post some good times, build confidence, and, most importantly, be in a position to win races, not just be along for the ride.

Blankenship says he had a "pretty good indoor season," but he would have liked to have had a few more wins.  His biggest disappointment was the USATF Championships 2-mile, he said, because he thought he had a real shot at winning.  Tactical mistakes cost him his chance. Going into the last lap "I allowed Ryan Hill to get two steps (ahead) and, at this level right now, we have a lot of Americans who are running really well so you can't let that happen if you want to be in position to win. There was no time to catch up."

His goal in each of the races at USATF was to being positioned to win at the end of the race.  In retrospect he knows that he wasn't as sharp as he expects to be outdoors and for the races that really count at the end of the season, so it wasn't surprising that he didn't close like he wanted to.  He learned valuable tactical lessons, but wasn't yet strong enough or quick enough to be in position and prevail in the usual end of race battles to get to the finish line first.

Even so, in his worst place finish of the indoor season at the Birmingham GP meet 1500(4th in 3:35.28), he set a PR and was less than a second out of first place in a high-caliber, international field.  The goal for the year and the outdoor season is to make the US team for the IAAF World Championships in Beijing.  But Blankenship doesn't just want to make the team.  He wants to be competitive in Beijing.  That would be the culmination of a real break out season.

USATF: Hightower/Baker/Leach/Abrahamson

More on the latest debate within USATF centered around Stephanie Hightower HERE.

News: Coach Beth Alford-Sullivan; MIAC NCAA DIII Champs Participants; Kathryn Stewart; Rich Maleniak; White House Humor

University of Tennessee student newspaper story on Coach Beth Alford-Sullivan, Gopher grad who is taking on yet another rebuilding challenge HERE.

15 MIAC school athletes to compete at NCAA DIII Championships HERE. (Has links to entries, heat sheets, and live results)

Catch Kathryn (@Kat_Stewie) on the NSIC Spotlight making bold statements about our relays. http://t.co/50uAoU6ljg pic.twitter.com/arjUHePPbM
— UMary T&F & XC (@UMaryTFXC) March 11, 2015

St. Thomas coach Rich Maleniak selected as NCAA DIII Central Region Assistant Coach of the Year HERE.

Joe Biden: I used to kill it on the track in high school. Barack Obama: You know I'm part Kenyan, right? pic.twitter.com/45Ehkrulsf
— Runnersphere (@Runnersphere) March 11, 2015

NCAA DI Heat Sheets HERE(men) and HERE(women)

Profile of collegiate record holder in the weight throw, Wisconsin's  Michael Lihrman HERE.

News: Paving Trails in Lebanon Hills Park

Plans are moving forward on a plan to pave miles of trail within Lebanon Hills Park.  Strib article is HERE.

UMD and U-Mary Women, MSU Mankato Men at NCAA DII Champs

UMD press release and photos of the women who will be competing this weekend at the NCAA DII Championships in Birmingham, AL HERE.

Five @UMDTFCC Women Set to Compete in This Weekend's NCAA II Indoor Championships http://t.co/oeXAFOsHnW pic.twitter.com/OaRwxYJpZt
— UMD Athletics (@UMDBulldogs) March 10, 2015

U-Mary press release on the nine women who will be competing at the NCAA DII Championships HERE.

MSU Mankato press release on four men who will compete in NCAA DII Championships HERE. Includes men's DII heat sheets.

NCAA DIII Heatsheets

NCAA DIII Heatsheets are HERE.

News: UMD Women: USATF, Hightower/Baker/Leach

NCAA's next for UMD women HERE.

Correspondence between USATF president Stephanie Hightower, Law and Legislation Secretary Tim Baker, and USATF Youth Chairman Lionel Leach

NBD, just @usatf President Stephanie Hightower telling L&L secretary Tim Baker to fall in line or lose his position http://t.co/iLgXezgtOU
— Pole Vault Power (@polevaultpower) March 10, 2015

MSU Mankato's Hunter, Dilling, Parno; U-Mary's Thorson Central Region Award Winners

MSU Mankato hurdler Miles Hunter was named men's NCAA DII Central Region Track Athlete of the Year HERE

MSU Mankato's Jim Dilling, men's Central Region Head Coach of the Year HERE

MSU Mankato's ChrisParno men's Central Region Assistant Coach of the Year HERE

MSU Mankato press release on the three awards HERE.

U-Mary's Mike Thorson women's Central Region Coach of the Year HERE.

Rankings: NCAA DI, DIII

NCAA DI rankings final poll HERE.

NCAA DIII rankings are HERE

News: NCAA DI HJ/Ellenson

Wally Ellenson listed as one of the favorites for the NCAA DI high jump title by FloTrack HERE.