Saturday, September 30, 2017
Friday, September 29, 2017
Thursday, September 28, 2017
In 1977 the First Women's Only US Marathon Championships was run in the Twin Cities
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| Jill Hanson running the 1977 US Women's Marathon Championships. Photo by Bernie Friel |
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| Leal- Ann Reinhart on her way to a national championship Photo by Bernie Friel |
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
Tuesday, September 26, 2017
Plan Ahead for MedtronicTC Marathon Events Transportation
Twin Cities In Motion Urges Motorists to Plan Ahead on Race Day
METRO Blue & Green Lines Free for Runners on Sept. 30 & Oct. 1
St. Paul, Minn. – September 26, 2017 – Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon organizer Twin Cities In Motion advises Minneapolis and St. Paul residents on the move on Sunday morning to plan travel ahead of time due to street closures for the 36th annual Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon and Medtronic TC 10 Mile on October 1.
On race day, motorists will notice traffic restrictions in downtown Minneapolis starting in the early morning hours on Sunday. An area near the U.S. Bank Stadium from 5th Avenue to 11th Avenue and from 6th Street to 3rd Street will be closed at 5:00 a.m. for start line setup, reopening at approximately 9:00 a.m., ahead of the noon Vikings home game.
Participants and spectators are reminded that northbound I-35W will be closed on Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon Weekend for Franklin Ave. overpass demolition, so those driving into downtown Minneapolis are urged to allow extra time to reach the start line or other destinations downtown.
Along the marathon course which runs from downtown Minneapolis, along the chain of lakes to Minnehaha Parkway, up West River Road to the Franklin Bridge, down East River Road to Summit Avenue, and to the finish at the state capitol will prompt rolling road closures on the course itself and limit traffic across it to selected crossing points. The crossing points are listed on the Twin Cities In Motion website at tcmevents.org/transportation.
At the finish area on the State Capitol grounds in St. Paul, following closures are scheduled:
• Summit Avenue between Ramsey Street and Portland Ave. will be closed from Saturday, September 30, at noon through Sunday, October 1, at 6:00 p.m. Traffic will be detoured on Portland Ave to Arundel Street.
• John Ireland Blvd. between 12th Street and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. will be closed Thursday, September 28, at 9:00 a.m. through Sunday, October 1, at 5:00 p.m.
• Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and Aurora Avenue will be closed Friday, September 29, at 9:00 a.m. through Sunday, October 1, at 6:00 p.m.
• 12th Street from Wabasha to John Ireland Blvd. will be closed Saturday, September 30, from 5:00 a.m. to noon and on Sunday, October 1, from 5:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Franklin Avenue Bridge crossing the Mississippi River in Minneapolis will be closed to motor vehicle traffic while the 10 mile and marathon use the bridge. The motor vehicle closure is expected to last from roughly 5:45 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
Parking: Motorists are reminded to take note of hooded meters and no parking signs along and near the course. Near the start line, event parking rates will apply on Sunday morning due to the Minnesota Vikings game later in the day. Finish line parking is available on the streets and in various lots around the Capitol grounds in Saint Paul. The Sears store west of the Capitol offers limited Event Parking near the finish line on a first-come first-served basis for $20.
METRO Lines: Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon and Medtronic TC 10 Mile runners can ride the METRO Green and Blue Lines for free on Saturday, September 30, and Sunday, October 1, if they display their race bib. Event volunteers can ride METRO Red Line buses or METRO Green and Blue Line trains when they display a date-specific downloadable free ride pass for various times Thursday, September 28 , through Sunday, October 1.
More than 30,000 runners are expected for the 36th annual Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon Weekend which includes events on Saturday, September 30, on and near the State Capitol grounds. For more information about the events, visit the Twin Cities In Motion website, tcmevents.org
METRO Blue & Green Lines Free for Runners on Sept. 30 & Oct. 1
St. Paul, Minn. – September 26, 2017 – Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon organizer Twin Cities In Motion advises Minneapolis and St. Paul residents on the move on Sunday morning to plan travel ahead of time due to street closures for the 36th annual Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon and Medtronic TC 10 Mile on October 1.
On race day, motorists will notice traffic restrictions in downtown Minneapolis starting in the early morning hours on Sunday. An area near the U.S. Bank Stadium from 5th Avenue to 11th Avenue and from 6th Street to 3rd Street will be closed at 5:00 a.m. for start line setup, reopening at approximately 9:00 a.m., ahead of the noon Vikings home game.
Participants and spectators are reminded that northbound I-35W will be closed on Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon Weekend for Franklin Ave. overpass demolition, so those driving into downtown Minneapolis are urged to allow extra time to reach the start line or other destinations downtown.
Along the marathon course which runs from downtown Minneapolis, along the chain of lakes to Minnehaha Parkway, up West River Road to the Franklin Bridge, down East River Road to Summit Avenue, and to the finish at the state capitol will prompt rolling road closures on the course itself and limit traffic across it to selected crossing points. The crossing points are listed on the Twin Cities In Motion website at tcmevents.org/transportation.
At the finish area on the State Capitol grounds in St. Paul, following closures are scheduled:
• Summit Avenue between Ramsey Street and Portland Ave. will be closed from Saturday, September 30, at noon through Sunday, October 1, at 6:00 p.m. Traffic will be detoured on Portland Ave to Arundel Street.
• John Ireland Blvd. between 12th Street and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. will be closed Thursday, September 28, at 9:00 a.m. through Sunday, October 1, at 5:00 p.m.
• Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and Aurora Avenue will be closed Friday, September 29, at 9:00 a.m. through Sunday, October 1, at 6:00 p.m.
• 12th Street from Wabasha to John Ireland Blvd. will be closed Saturday, September 30, from 5:00 a.m. to noon and on Sunday, October 1, from 5:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Franklin Avenue Bridge crossing the Mississippi River in Minneapolis will be closed to motor vehicle traffic while the 10 mile and marathon use the bridge. The motor vehicle closure is expected to last from roughly 5:45 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
Parking: Motorists are reminded to take note of hooded meters and no parking signs along and near the course. Near the start line, event parking rates will apply on Sunday morning due to the Minnesota Vikings game later in the day. Finish line parking is available on the streets and in various lots around the Capitol grounds in Saint Paul. The Sears store west of the Capitol offers limited Event Parking near the finish line on a first-come first-served basis for $20.
METRO Lines: Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon and Medtronic TC 10 Mile runners can ride the METRO Green and Blue Lines for free on Saturday, September 30, and Sunday, October 1, if they display their race bib. Event volunteers can ride METRO Red Line buses or METRO Green and Blue Line trains when they display a date-specific downloadable free ride pass for various times Thursday, September 28 , through Sunday, October 1.
More than 30,000 runners are expected for the 36th annual Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon Weekend which includes events on Saturday, September 30, on and near the State Capitol grounds. For more information about the events, visit the Twin Cities In Motion website, tcmevents.org
The Nature/Nurture Question asked of Sonia O'Sullivan and her daughters
The Nature/Nurture Question asked of Sonia O'Sullivan and her daughters HERE
Gopher Women at Griak Invitational
Edina's Max Manley first MN finisher in the Boy's Gold race
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| Edina's Max Manley(3671) on his way to a 6th place finish in the Boy's Gold race. Trailed by Great Oak's Jacob Korgan(3767) Photo by Gene Niemi |
Monday, September 25, 2017
Carleton and St. Thomas go 1-2 in the DIII team competition
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| Emily Kaegi(2013) leads the Carleton women's team to the Maroon DIII Title |
Lexi Zeis and Mason Phillips Earn National Athlete of the Week Honors
Congrats to L— NSIC (@NorthernSunConf) September 25, 2017exi Zeis of @umarysports & Mason Phillips of @USF_Athletics on their @USTFCCCA National Athlete of Week honors. #NSICCC https://t.co/wvGR6lkyiI
Gene Neimi's Roy Griak Invitational Gopher Men Photo Album
Minnesota Coaches Association Boy's AA Cross Country Rankings
Week 4
(released 9/25/2017)
Teams:
1
Wayzata
2
Edina
3
Stillwater
4
Minnetonka
5
White Bear Lake
6
Minneapolis Washburn
7
Eden Prairie
8
Sartell
9
Mounds View
10
St. Michael-Albertville
11
Red Wing
12
Hopkins
Other Teams
receiving votes:
Chanhassen, St
Paul Central
Individuals:
1
Max Manley, Edina
2
Khalid Hussein, Wayzata
3
Adam Wilkinson, Minnetonka
4
Acer Iverson, Roseville
5
Grant Price, Wayzata
6
Andrew Brandt, Wayzata
7
Luke Labatte, Rosemount
8
Grant Matthews, Wayzata
9
Addison Stansbury, Stillwater
10
Myles Fleming, Henry Sibley
11
Tom Breuckman, Andover
12
Mitchell Tolander, Wayzata
Other
Athletes receiving votes:
Joseph Minor,
Washburn
Girls AA Rankings
9/25
1 Wayzata
2 Minnetonka
3 St Michael
Albertville
4 Edina
5 Willmar
6 Mpls. Washburn
7 Eden Prairie
8 Farmington
9 Marshall
10 Henry Sibley
10 Stillwater
11 Becker
12 Roseville
Honorable Mention:
Individuals
1 Emily Covert, 11, Mpls Washburn
2 Sophie Whicher, 12, Minnetonka
3 Anna
Fenske, 9, Farmington
4 Emma Atkinson, 10, Wayzata
4 Emma Atkinson, 10, Wayzata
5 Emily Kompelien, 12, Edina
6 Caroline Sasson, 10, Wayzata
7 Brianne Brewster, 11, Lakeville South
8 Ali Weimer, 8, St Michael Albertville
9 Annalise Davis, 11, St Michael Albertville
10 Liesl Paulsen 10 Eden Prairie
11 Elizabeth Halbmaier, 12, Minnetonka
12 Ingrid Bulceag-Ara, 10, Sartell
Honorable Mention: Rhynn Paulsen, 10, Wayzata
Strength Beats Fear for U-Mary's Lexi Zeis
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| Lexi Zeis defends her Griak Title Photo by Gene Neimi |
Zeis has two words tatooed on the back of her shoulder: Strength and Fear. Strength overcomes the fear says Zeis, who was a national caliber ice skater before she got into running. She used her mental strength to overcome any doubts she might have going into a competition and the strategy has been effective.
STATE CROSS COUNTRY COACHES’ ASSOCIATION CLASS A RANKINGS
Sept. 25th, 2017
BOY'S TEAMS:
1. Perham
2. Lac Qui Parle Valley/DB
3. Mankato Loyola/Cleveland
4. Greenway/NK
5. Esko
6. Nova Classic
7 St. James Area
8. Jordan
9. Annandale
10. Staples-Motley
11. Plainview-Elgin-Millville
12 Minnehaha Academy
INDIVIDUALS:
1. Geno Uhrbom Greenway/NK
2. Matt Steiger LaCrescent
3. Keiser Freetley Lac Qui Parle Valley
4. Declan Dahlberg Mounds Park Acad.
5. Emmett Anderson Staples-Motley
6. Lucas Pierson St. James
7 Jebadiah Merkle SW Christian
8. Jacob Bright West Central Area
9. Owen Keiser Jordan
10. Jake Paron North Shore
11. Mike Kvaal Lac Qui Parle Valley
12 Nathan Runck Mountain Lake Area
GIRL'S TEAMS:
1. Fairmont
2. Perham
3. Stewartville
4. Annandale
5. Cotter
6. Belle Plaine
7. Minnehaha Academy
8. Lake City
9. Lac Qui Parle Valley/DB
10 Luverne
11. West Central Area
12. Mora
INDIVIDUALS:
1. Grace Ping Cotter
2. Lauren Ping Cotter
3. Tierney Wolfgram Math&Science Acad.
4. Ava Hill Mesabi East
5. Makenna Thurston Lake Cyrstral WM/N
6. Abby Orvis Stewartville
7. Marissa Whitehead Martin County West
8. Morgan Gehl Murray County Cent.
9. Natasha Sortland Zumbrota-M/K-W
10 Kristine Kalthoff Albany
11. Kayla Christopherson Austin Pacelli
12. Laura Thompson Fairmont
Sunday, September 24, 2017
Gene Niemi's Griak Invitational HS Photo Album
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| The pack in the Women's Gold HS Race. Photo by Gene Niemi |
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| Wayzata Boy's team sprint toward the finish Photo by Gene Niemi |
Photo by Gene Niemi
Emily Covert didn't devise an elaborate plan for the Griak girl's HS Gold race. Her mission was simple. Stick like glue to the lead pack. Conserve energy for an attempt to break away from the others during the last mile. She executed the plan and was rewarded with her first victory over Grace Ping and Anna Fenske when the trio were running in the same race.
Her confidence boued, Covert will attempt to build on her success with continued improvement through the rest of the season in Minnesota, followed perhaps, by a chance to test herself against the best in the US.
In the boy's race, South Dakotan Derick Peters, who goes to West Central HS, turned in one of, if not the most impressive performance on Saturday. Seemingly oblivious to the hot, humid conditions, Peters not only won the 5K, he finished in 15:49.43 and he made it look easy. "I was really nervous before the meet," Peters said. "I don't know why." So much so that he couldn't finish the cheesecake he ordered at the hotel. Peters was hoping to finish it after the race.
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| Derek Peters striding toward the finish. Photo by Gene Niemi |
Peters wasn't expecting a fast time, he said, the objective was winning. His race plan was to lay back early and to use what he considered to be his strength, running on the hills, where he planned to push the pace going up and down. Many of the hills were in the later part of the run, fitting into his plan to use that to his advantage. He began the race a bit faster than he'd planned, but he still felt good. So, instead of slowing down, Peters tried a unique strategy to keep up his rapid tempo.
Eventual runner-up, Dowling Catholic's Matthew Carmody, was in front of the lead pack, and Peters passed him. Instead of blowing past Carmody, however, he tried to enlist him instead. "He was encouraging me," said Carmody.
The reason for this unusual tactic was that Peters believed two in the lead was better than just one. The tandem attack didn't last for long, though as Peters dropped Carmody when he charged up one of the hills and was on his own for the rest of the race. He looked back at times to make sure that nobody was sneaking up on him. Peters could obviously have run faster had that been the goal.
Saturday, September 23, 2017
Roy Griak Invitational Results
Roy Griak Invitational Results HERE
The runners weren't the only ones who had issues with the heat:
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| Gopher women wear message of support on their legs; "Brave like Gabe" Photo by Doug Hasz |
Still UNOFFICIAL as we sort through back-up video. Had some heat related timing issues with the chips.— Sarah Hopkins (@MNXCCoachHop) September 24, 2017
Friday, September 22, 2017
Griak Invitational Revised Schedule
8:55 a.m. National Anthem 9:00 a.m. Suzy Wilson Women's Maroon III and Maroon II Competitions 9:40 a.m. Men's Maroon III and Maroon II Competitions 9:45 a.m. Women's Maroon III and Maroon II Awards 10:20 a.m. Merrill Fischbein Men's Gold Competition 10:25 a.m. Men's Maroon II and Maroon III Awards 11:00 a.m. Jack Johnson Women's Gold Competition 11:05 a.m. Merrill Fischbein Men's Gold Awards 11:40 a.m. Goldy's Kids Race 11:55 a.m. National Anthem 12:00 p.m. Larry Zirgibel High School Boys' Gold Competition 12:05 p.m. Jack Johnson Women's Gold Awards 12:35 p.m. Larry Zirgibel High School Boys' Gold Awards 12:40 p.m. Gary Wilson High School Girls' Gold Competition 12:50 p.m. Roy Griak Hall of Fame Presentation 1:00 p.m. 2007 Big Ten Champions Presentation 1:20 p.m. Lefty Wright High School Boys' Maroon Competition 1:25 p.m. Gary Wilson High School Girls' Gold Awards 2:05 p.m. High School Girls' Maroon Competition 2:10 p.m. Lefty Wright High School Boys' Maroon Awards 2:50 p.m. High School Girls' Maroon Awards
Thursday, September 21, 2017
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
Emma Benner named the Women's Big 10 XC Athlete of the Week
Congratulations to @emma_benner for being named the @BigTen Cross Country Athlete of the Week! https://t.co/oKWXvbSlIT #BoilerUp pic.twitter.com/FggU8vpV1e— Purdue Track & Field (@PurdueTrackXC) September 20, 2017
Tuesday, September 19, 2017
Monday, September 18, 2017
Boy's AA HS Cross Country Rankings
Minnesota
Coaches' Association
Week 3
(released 9/18/2017)
Teams:
1 Wayzata
2
Edina
3
Stillwater
4
Minnetonka
5
Minneapolis Washburn
6
Eden Prairie
7
Mounds View
8
White Bear Lake
9
Sartell
10
Red Wing
11
Rosemount
12
Chanhassen
Other Teams
receiving votes: Winona
Individuals:
1
Grant Price, Wayzata
2
Khalid Hussein, Wayzata
3
Addison Stansbury, Stillwater
4
Max Manley, Edina
5
Acer Iverson, Roseville
6
Joseph Minor, Washburn
7
Isaac Basten, Buffalo
8
Luke Labatte, Rosemount
9
Mitchell Tolander, Wayzata
10
Adam Wilkinson, Minnetonka
11
Blake Buysse, Wayzata
12
Owen Gage, Edina
Other Athletes
receiving votes: Caleb
Haugland, Washburn; Benjamin Olson, Blaine
Girl's HS AA Rankings
9/18
Teams
1 Edina
2 Minnetonka
3 Wayzata
4 Mpls. Washburn
5 Willmar
6 Marshall
7 St Michael
Albertville
8 Forest Lake
9 Henry Sibley
10 Stillwater
11 Shakopee
12 Becker
Honorable Mention: Farmington, Eden Prairie , Roseville, East
Ridge
Individuals
1 Sophie Whicher, 12, Minnetonka
2 Emily Covert, 11, Mpls Washburn
3 Anna
Fenske, 9, Farmington
4 Emily Kompelien, 12, Edina
5 Emma Atkinson, 10, Wayzata
6 Caroline Sasson, 10, Wayzata
4 Emily Kompelien, 12, Edina
5 Emma Atkinson, 10, Wayzata
6 Caroline Sasson, 10, Wayzata
7 Annalise Davis, 11, St Michael
Albertville
8 Maria Rickman, 12, Edina
9 Rhynn Paulsen, 10, Wayzata
9 Rhynn Paulsen, 10, Wayzata
10 Brianne Brewster, 11, Lakeville South
11 Elizabeth Halbmaier, 12, Minnetonka
12 Ingrid Bulceag-Ara, 10, Sartell
Honorable Mention: Liesl Paulsen 10 Eden
Prairie, Ali Weimer, 8, STMA; Regan
Duffy, 11, Forest Lake
St. Scholastica's Casey Hovland an Athlete of the Week
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| St. Scholastica's Casey Hovland an Athlete of the Week |
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| Hovland wins St. Olaf Invite women's race |
Sunday, September 17, 2017
STATE CROSS COUNTRY COACHES’ ASSOCIATION CLASS A RANKINGS
September 18, 2017
BOY'S TEAMS:
1. Perham
2. Mankato Loyola/Cleveland
3. Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop
4. Greenway/NK
5. Lac Qui Parle Valley/DB
6. Jordan
7 Mora
8. Minnehaha Academy
9. Annandale
10. St. James Area
11. West Central Area
12 RAACHE
INDIVIDUALS:
1. Declan Dahlberg Mounds Park Acad.
2. Matt Steiger LaCrescent
3. Geno Uhrbom Greenway/NK
4. Keiser Freetley Lac Qui Parle Valley
5. Owen Keiser Jordan
6. Jake Paron North Shore
7 Lucas Pierson St. James
8. Emmett Anderson Staples-Motley
9. Jacob Bright West Central Area
10. Ethan Olson Moose Lake/WR
11. Christian Sterton Ada-Borup
12 Nathan Runck Mountain Lake Area
GIRL'S TEAMS:
1. Fairmont
2. Perham
3. Annandale
4. Cotter
5. Stewartville
6. Belle Plaine
7. Luverne
8. Minnehaha Academy
9. Lake City
10 Maple Lake
11. Providence Academy
12. Lanesboro Filmore Central
INDIVIDUALS:
1. Grace Ping Cotter
2. Tierney Wolfgram Math&Science Acad.
3. Lauren Ping Cotter
4. Marissa Whitehead Martin County West
5. Morgan Gehl Murray County Cent.
6. Makenna Thurston Lake Cyrstral WM/N
7. Ava Hill Mesabi East
8. Katherine Geist Crookston
9. Lexi Bright West Central Area
10 Kayla Christopherson Austin Pacelli
11. Caitlin Covington Perham
12. Kira Sweeney Staples-Motley