Hassan Mead Wins NACAC Men's 5K

 In a tactical race, OTC Elite's Hassan Mead ran the last 400 meters in 54 seconds to win the NACAC Senior 5K 

USATF 5K roads championship results

USATF 5K roads championship results: Top 10 men and women HERE

Men: Biya Simbassa 5th; Will Lear 8th; Hassan Mead 9th;
Women: Maddie Van Beek 18th(16:33); Meghan Payton 22nd(16:55)

Blankenship 3rd in Mile, Mead 7th in 3K at Birmingham

Ben Blankenship 3rd in Mile. Hassan Mead 7th in 3K at Birmingham. Results HERE

USATF Minnesota June and July AOM

June and July Athletes of the Month

8/9/2017

Hassan Mead

MENDOTA HEIGHTS – Minneapolis native and former Gopher Track & Field/Cross Country star Hassan Mead won the U.S. title in the men’s 10,000 meters at June’s USATF Outdoor Championships in Sacramento California, earning him the honor of USATF Minnesota’s June Athlete of the Month. Mead, an 8x All-American and 9x Big Ten Champion for the Gophers, won the race with a time of 29:01.44 breaking Galen Rupp’s streak of eight consecutive USA 10,000 meter titles and in the process earned his ticket to represent the United States at the 2017 IAAF World Championships in London this summer.

A 2007 graduate of Minneapolis South High School, Mead was the 2006 Minnesota State Cross Country Champion, as well as the 2006 Foot Locker Midwest Regional Champion, eventually going on to finish 4th at the Foot Locker National meet only 8 seconds behind the winner.

Gabriele Grunewald, a native of Perham, Minnesota and another University of Minnesota alumna, has had an inspiring and eventful summer. In March, only seven months after she had surgery to remove half of her liver, she was diagnosed with cancer for the fourth time in eight years. Choosing to put the cancer on hold and continue with her racing schedule this summer, Grunewald has garnered national attention and provided inspiration to thousands of runners across the U.S— and for that, she is USATF Minnesota’s June Athlete of the Month. Despite her recent diagnosis, Gabe qualified for and competed at the 2017 USATF Outdoor Championships in Sacramento in the 1500 meters in June.

While at the University of Minnesota, Grunewald got 2nd place in the 1500 meters at the 2010 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships, earning her All-American status. During her time at Perham High School, Grunewald was a four time All-State performer in cross country and was the 2004 Minnesota State Champion in the 800 meters.

Ben Blankenship, from Stillwater, Minnesota, has had a series of great performances in the month of July, making him our July Athlete of the Month. During the TrackTown Summer Series, Blankenship placed 1st in the 1500 meters at the Portland meet and 3rd in the New York City Championship meet in the 1500 meters in a time of 3:35.29. Blankenship was also 10th in the London Diamond League 1500 meters and more recently won the 2017 GNC Live Well Liberty Mile Championship for the second year in a row.

Ben Blankenship
Photo by Gene Niemi

While in college at the University of Minnesota, Blankenship was the first Golden Gopher to break the 4-minute-mile barrier when he ran 3:57.83 at the University of Washington’s in 2010. Blankenship was also a 2x Big Ten Indoor Champion in the Mile and 1x Champion in the Distance Medley Relay, as well as the 2011 NCAA Indoor Runner-Up in the 3,000 meters and a 3x All-American during his collegiate career. Additionally, Blankenship was a 2x Minnesota State Champion at 1600 meters for Stillwater High School and led the Ponies to a 2nd place finish at the 2006 Minnesota State Cross Country Championships as well.

Heather Kampf, a 2009 graduate of the University of Minnesota, was injured and unable to compete in the early stages of the 2017 track & field season, but since then has been on quite the upswing with several notable performances in the month of July, making her the USATF Minnesota July Athlete of the Month. Kampf was 1st at the Ryan Shay Women’s Mile in a time of 4:30.83 on July 22nd, and later went on to place 4th in the 2017 GNC Live Well Liberty Mile on July 28th in a very deep field.

Heather Kampf

Kampf graduated from the University of Minnesota as the most decorated women’s track athlete in Gopher history as she was a 9x All-American. She is also the only Gopher to compete at every NCAA Championship meet in cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track during their time at the University. Additionally, she was the 2006 NCAA Indoor Champion over 800 meters and holds nine Gopher school records. Originally from Inver Grove Heights, Kampf was a Minnesota State Champion in both the 800 meters and 400 meters while attending Rosemount High School.

We welcome your nominations!
To nominate an athlete for USATF Minnesota’s Athlete of the Month award, please send a detailed email about his/her performance to mskuzara@csbsju.edu with the subject line “Athlete of the Month Nomination”.

Fans can follow along with USATF Minnesota on Facebook, Twitter, and online at www.usatfmn.org


Maxwell Kuzara
Athlete of the Month Committee Chair
USA Track & Field Minnesota
e-mail

Hassan Mead 15th in IAAF WC 10K

Hassan Mead 15th in IAAF World Championships 10K wirh a PR. Results HERE
Hassan Mead: “It was an awful race.”

LONDON -- Nine Team USATF athletes advanced out of Friday’s qualifying rounds, including six-for-six on the track, highlighting a night that also saw two of the fastest 10,000m performances in USATF history from Rio Olympians and training partners Shadrack Kipchirchir and Leonard Korir.

Kipchirchir, Korir find themselves in fast final & USATF history books

Kipchirchir (Colorado Springs, Colorado) turned in the top time for Team USATF athletes in the men’s 10,000m final, making his mark on the American track & field history books with the fastest 10,000m performance ever by an American at the World Championships. Hassan Mead (Eugene, Oregon) stayed toward the middle of the pack over the first mile, keeping himself no further than 10m behind Kamworor. Shifting between sixth and seventh in a strung-out pack, Mead fell back over the second mile to ninth as the speed quickened. Hometown favorite Mo Farah continued to surge and forced Cheptegei and Kamworor to pick up the pace once again.

As the lead pack broke away with 12 laps remaining, Kipchirchir and Korir (Colorado Springs, Colorado) went with them and hung on to the back of the pack. Another surge with only five laps to go saw Korir drop back while Kipchirchir remained with the leaders. As Farah, Cheptegei and Tanui pushed the pace over the final two laps, Kipchirchir lost his place with the lead pack to finish ninth in a personal best 27:07.55, making the 2016 Olympian the third-fastest performer in USATF history. Korir crossed 13th in a personal best 27:20.18 to become the sixth fastest USATF performer in history. Mead was 15th in a personal best 27:32.49.--USATF

Hassan Mead 4th in Heusden 5K

1 YEMATAW BIRHANU BRN 13:09.93
2 WOLDE DAWIT ETH 13:10.13
3 TRUE BEN USA 13:10.83
4 MEAD HASSAN USA 13:11.20
5 ABDI BASHIR BEL 13:11.87
6 GETAHUN BETESFA ETH 13:13.23
7 GINIKI EMANUEL GISAMODA TAN 13:13.24
8 DIRIEH ABDI JAMAL DJI 13:13.45
9 KORIR JAPHETH KEN 13:14.56
10 MCDONALD MORGAN AUS 13:15.83
11 NDIKU JONATHAN KEN 13:16.22
12 WALELEGN AMDEWORK ETH 13:16.28
13 RINGER RICHARD GER 13:19.47
14 BOUCHIKHI SOUFIANE BEL 13:22.18
15 VERNON ANDY GBR 13:22.65
16 KAYA ALI TUR 13:25.71
17 NGENO ALFRED KEN 13:28.71
18 DUNBAR TREVOR USA 13:30.48
19 VOJTA ANDREAS AUT 13:51.18
20 TASAMA DAME BEL 13:57.58
21 DHOEDT JEROEN BEL 14:15.98
MISPLON BERT BEL DNF
KIPTARUS DOMINIC KEN DNF

.DOG
.EAT
.DOG
.WORLD...
.@oregontcelite @nike @ Heusden, Limburg, Belgium https://t.co/mUaKnABPEh

— Hassan mead (@HassyHass35) July 24, 2017

London Diamond League Meet Results

London Diamond League Meet Results HERE

Barbora Špotáková 1st in javelin
Hassan Mead 7th in 3K
Ben Blankenship 10th in 1500

Last lap kick for a National Championship: What Dreams are Made of

Last lap kick for a National Championship: What dreams are made of

I dreamed about this moment..
.
.@oregontcelite @nike #Londonisreal@nbcolympics @ Hornet… https://t.co/00ZDKfIzWA

— Hassan mead (@HassyHass35) June 26, 2017

USATF Championships Day 1 Results

USATF Championships Day 1 Results HERE

Hassan Mead, USATF Men's 10K Winner

Hassan Mead wins 10K
Biya Simbassa 4th in the 10K
Kevin Lewis 20th in 10K
Reed Fischer 23rd in the 10K
Sean Donnelly 3rd in the men's hammer throw final
Ben Blankenship won his heat of the 1500 to qualify for the final
Jamie Cheever 12th in the 3K Steeple to qualify for the final
Meghan Peyton 14th in 10K final
Liz Podominick 7th in the discus final.
Nicolle Murphy 11th in the javelin final
Brianna Colbenson 21st in 3K Steeple
Travis Burkstrand 25th in 1500 semis
Gabe Grunewald 9th in her heat of the 1500
Heather Kampf 5th in her heat of the 1500
Mitch Hechsel 20th in 800, 3rd in his heat
Harun Abda 25th overall, 4th in his heat

#Gophers legend @HassyHass35 wins the USATF Men's 10K title

Details: https://t.co/5ovVgBapBa pic.twitter.com/gyj4DYIfCc

— Minnesota M CC/TF (@GopherMCCTF) June 23, 2017

Gophers Go for the USATF Gold, Silver, or Bronze

6️⃣ men's competitors with ties to the #Gophers will be in action at USATF Championships this weekend. https://t.co/AGbq16E5h4 pic.twitter.com/vwq2WSXjxJ

— Minnesota M CC/TF (@GopherMCCTF) June 21, 2017

3⃣ current #Gophers and 4⃣ alumnae are headed to the @usatf Championships this week.

〽️📋: https://t.co/dpI2T4gGIf pic.twitter.com/M15k0kuLjg

— Minnesota W TrackCC (@GopherWCCTF) June 20, 2017

Blankenship 7th in 1500, Mead 16th in 5K at Prefontaine Classic

Blankenship 7th in Mile, Mead 16th in 5K at Prefontaine Classic. 16-year-old runs sub-four minute mile HERE

Mile-Men
    1 Kwemoi , Ronald                  KEN    3:49.04          8
    2 Manangoi , Elijah Motonei        KEN    3:49.08          7
    3 Cheruiyot , Timothy              KEN    3:49.64          6
    4 Kibet , Vincent                  KEN    3:51.17          5
    5 Murphy , Clayton                 USA    3:51.99          4
    6 Iguider , Abdalaati              MAR    3:52.77          3
    7 Blankenship  , Ben               USA    3:53.04          2
    8 Ingebrigtsen , Filip             NOR    3:53.23          1
    9 Birgen , Bethwell Kiprotich      KEN    3:53.50        
   10 Grice , Charlie                  GBR    3:53.62        
   11 Gregson , Ryan                   AUS    3:56.90        
   12 Kiplagat , Silas                 KEN    3:57.59        
   13 Kiprop , Asbel                   KEN    3:58.24        
      Kiptoo , Elijah Kipchirchir      KEN        DNF        
      Rotich , Andrew Kiptoo           KEN        DNF        
      Souleiman , Ayanleh              DJI        DNF        
                                                             
5000 Metres - Men       
    1 Farah , Mohamed                  GBR   13:00.70          8
    2 Kejelcha , Yomif                 ETH   13:01.21          7
    3 Kamworor , Geoffrey Kipsang      KEN   13:01.35          6
    4 Cheptegei , Joshua Kiprui        UGA   13:02.84          5
    5 Rop , Albert Kibichii            BRN   13:04.82          4
    6 Ahmed , Mohammed                 CAN   13:08.16          3
    7 Chelimo , Paul Kipkemoi          USA   13:10.11          2
    8 Butchart , Andrew                GBR   13:11.45          1
    9 Jenkins , Eric                   USA   13:13.30        
   10 Kifle , Aron                     ERI   13:13.31        
   11 Tiernan , Patrick                AUS   13:13.44        
   12 Kiplimo , Jacob                  UGA   13:13.64        
   13 Tanui , Paul Kipngetich          KEN   13:14.09        
   14 Abdi , Bashir                    BEL   13:16.74        
   15 Barsoton , Leonard Kiplimo       KEN   13:17.38        
   16 Mead , Hassan                    USA   13:19.16        
   17 Sitonik , William Malel          KEN   13:20.02        
   18 Molla , Getaneh                  ETH   13:21.78        
   19 Korir , Leonard Essau            USA   13:22.04        
   20 Kosimbei , Nicholas Mboroto      KEN   13:22.68        
   21 Sambu , Stephen                  KEN   13:23.79        
   22 True , Ben                       USA   13:28.24        
   23 Ndiku , Caleb Mwangangi          KEN   13:31.45        
   24 Derrick , Chris                  USA   13:33.39        
      Direh , Djamal A.                DJI        DNF        
      Hill , Ryan                      USA        DNF        
      Jeilan , Ibrahim                 ETH        DNF        
      Koech , Isiah Kiplangat          KEN        DNF        
      Masters , Riley

Sarah Barker Writes about the Challenges faced by Somali Girls and Women who Play Sports

Sarah Barker Writes about the Challenges faced by Somali Girls and Women who Play Sports HERE

USATF Championships Men's Form Charts

USATF Championships Men's Form Charts HERE

Ben Blankenship, Hassan Mead, Mason Ferlic, Garrett Heath, Bia Symbassa are ranked among the top 10. Mead in two events.

Gabe Grunewald Runs 4:20.17 for 1500 at Payton Jordan Invitational

Gabe Grunewald Runs 4:20.17 for 1500; Hassan Mead 4th in 10K, Biya Simbassa 5th. Meghan Peyton 30th in 10K
1500 HERE. Men's 10K HERE.  Women's 10K HERE. Full results HERE

Mead gets IAAF qualifying standard. Simbassa misses it by .78 of a second.

.@HassyHass35 goes 27:34 at #PaytonJordan, thrilled to hit that 10K world standard. 🎥 -> https://t.co/HFGl3cNyl5 pic.twitter.com/xAdwriOecG

— FloTrack (@FloTrack) May 7, 2017

Ben Blankenship 13th in Doha Diamond League 1500 meters
Doha results HERE.

Minnesota Olympians

On making the 2016 Olympics: "It's the highest stage for any track & field athlete." -@HassyHass35 joined on stage by @benfblankenship pic.twitter.com/DnKrVp4eXW

— TrackTown USA (@GoTrackTownUSA) March 8, 2017

"I said, If I don't make it in 2016, I'm going to go be a coal miner." @benfblankenship prior to the 2016 US Olympic Trials

— TrackTown USA (@GoTrackTownUSA) March 8, 2017

"My first outdoor meet of the year will be the Pre Classic in May." -@benfblankenship

— TrackTown USA (@GoTrackTownUSA) March 8, 2017

Hassan Mead Talks About His Experience as an Immigrant to the US

Hassan Mead Talks About His Experience as an Immigrant to the US HERE

Ben Blankenship and Hassan Mead Running 2-Mile in Millrose Games

Blankenship and Mead compete against Olympic 1500 meter champion Matt Centrowitz at the Millrose Games HERE.

Hassan Mead Is not the Only Olympian Who Has Had a Collapsed Lung

Hassan Mead Is not the Only Olympian Who Has Had a Collapsed Lung HERE

ESPN radio Interview with Gopher Men's Coach Steve Plasencia

ESPN radio Interview with Gopher Men's Coach Steve Plasencia. Last interview on the show taped last week.  Starts at 27:16    HERE

Mead 11th, Farah Gold, Chelimo 2nd, Lagat 4th in 5K

Mo Farah's last 800m was 1:52.7. No 5000m runners can match this pace. #Rio2016

— Athletics Weekly (@AthleticsWeekly) August 21, 201

Results HERE
Three DQs for "Lane infringements" being reviewed.  Chelimo one of the athletes charged.  Could push Lagat to 3rd  if upheld.

4x4 guys, be careful of those white lines.... Just sayin'

— Track and Field News (@tandfn) August 21, 2016

During M 5K final curb was missing for W HJ. Looks like the 3 DQ'd athletes stepped on the line. DQ under rule 163.3b, lane infringement.

— David Monti (@d9monti) August 21, 2016

Two of the three DQed reinstated(Chelimo and Canada's Mohammed Ahmed)