Sunday, March 17, 2013

Gopher Women Post Wins in Eight Events, Men in Four at Outdoor Season Openers


The University of Minnesota women’s track and field team opened their outdoor season at the UNLV Invitational this weekend with wins in eight events. The Gopher men’s track and field team had four winners at the Baldy Castillo Invitational.

Jeri Johnson-Chambers and Devin Stanford finished first and second, respectively, in the hammer throw on Friday in Las Vegas. The two kicked off their season with personal records in the event. Johnson-Chambers (179-7) now ranks eighth in school history, while Stanford (179-3) ranks 10th.


On Saturday, Christina DeLakis (49-0 3/4) and Becci Osterdyk (47 ' 9.75") took the top two spots in the shot put. Emily Betz finished second in javelin with a mark of 144' 10.5". Minnesota swept the jumps: Melissa Flucke (5' 5" in the high jump), Katie Murgic (12' 1.5" in the pole vault), Nicole Murphey (18' 9.5" in the long jump) and Bria Halama (38' 9" in the triple jump). The 4x400-meter relay team of Madison Smith, Alena Brooks, Chidera Obasih and Frances Conlin closed out the meet with a win. Smith and Conlin also posted a 1-2 finish in the 400m. Katie Hill was second in the 1,600m in 4:38.60. Todea-Kay Willis finished third in the 200m in 24.49.

“It was a good tune-up for our first time outside,” director of track and field/cross country Matt Bingle said. “I was pleased with how the throwers competed. The sprints, jumps, and hurdles did a good job mentally and did what they were asked. We’re looking forward to getting better as the season goes on.”

For the men, Zach Siegmeier set a new personal record of  5.30m (17' 4.5") winning performance in the pole vault. Jack Szmanda. finished fourth with a height of 5.20m (17' 75").  Alex Brend won the 800 in 1:51.88.  Oladipo Fagbemi and Sam Kettenhofen placed one-two in the long jump. Fagbemi lept 7.21m (23' 8"),  Kettenhofen 7.20m (23' 7.5"). Minnesota’s fourth individual title came on Friday as Quentin Mege  posted the top throw in the nation this year at 67.49 meters (221' 5) 


Full results for  the Baldy Castillo meet are HERE. Full results not available for UNLV Invitational

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