Thanks for Sharing

Today marks the end of my three week, three day run as "custodian" here at DtB. I've enjoyed the experience, had fun getting back to my "roots" in the community I've called home since 1972. I moved here in June of 1972, just graduated from Bowling Green State University where I had the privilege of running on the track and cross country teams.

I was welcomed with open arms by the Minnesota running community. I ran in races, did volunteer work for the MDRA and other running groups in the area, and wrote a running column for the St. Paul Pioneer Press Dispatch a long time ago. I've met a lot of great people, heard and told a lot of stories. I've lived on both coasts in the US, in London, England, and seen a good bit of the world(including a recent trip to the Great Wall in China, pictured here). Minnesota ranks right up there as a running community in all aspects of the sport.

One of the first people I met when I moved here was Ron Daws, an Olympian, an artist, an original. Ron's great talent was to be able to absorb ideas from others and put them to use. The reason people were attracted to him is that he gave as much as he took. Distance running is ultimately a test of energy management, and Ron maintained that for him to succeed he had to manage his limited natural talents better than those who were better athletes. So he sought to find the best training methods, the best equipment, clothing, anything that could give him a better chance.

To perform better in hot weather races, he would run in the sweat suits in the spring and summer. To minimize the weight he had to carry he would rebuild his running shoes, making them lighter, more flexible, whatever worked. He approached the sport like a coach and a scientist, deconstructing everything and building himself as an athlete.

I had to laugh looking at the University of Minnesota Field House where the Big Ten Indoors was held last weekend. The new synthetic track. The modern facility. Back in 1972 we called it the barn for good reason. The "track" surface was dirt so that the baseball team had a place for spring practice. We used to joke that we all would develop "brown lung disease" from working out in there. In fact, rather than run on the dirt and tight turns of the indoor track Daws found refuge in the winter on the Washington Avenue Bridge.

The enclosed walkway on top of the bridge that connects the east and west bank campuses was perfect for interval workouts. We'd run the quarter mile from one end to the other and grab onto the poles at either end, swing ourselves around the corner, and take off back to the opposite end. Great for half mile and mile repeats, as it had just enough heat to prevent frostbite and a surface free of snow and ice. It was a typical Daws low-tech solution to winter training in the frozen tundra.

To simulate running on the hills in Boston for the annual spring marathon, Daws would do workouts up and down the inclines that rise up on either side of Riverside Park on the Mississippi River Boulevard between Franklin and Washington Avenues. He didn't invent specific training, just utilized it as much as he could to bolster his confidence and prepare himself physically for the challenges. He didn't keep any of this secret. He shared his methods with everyone.

That was the Minnesota ethos, not all for one, but rather one for all. That's sort of what DtB is, a collective effort to share information about the Minnesota running community. My time here wasn't spent doing original reporting. I collected information, packaged and distributed it. My thanks to those who contributed. Pete Miller, Sean Hartnett, Gene Neimi, Pat Goodwin, the sports information departments of the MIAC, NCC, NSIC, Big Ten, U of MN, Bob Gustafson of Grandma's Marathon, Kristine Smith of TCM, Bill and Tim Miles, Tim Zbikowski, Tom Langenfeld, and all the athletes and coaches who shared their stories.

We didn't have the Internet back in 1972. Our social networking was done the old fashioned way. Now we can electronically share information, swap stories, and keep people all over the globe informed on what's happening in the Minnesota running and track community. Keep spreading the news and sharing the information. It's a grand Minnesota tradition.

St. Thomas Teams Dominate MIAC Championships

The St. Thomas men won their 24^th consecutive indoor MIAC championship while the St. Thomas women captured their 21st team title on Saturday in Collegeville. The men’s scored 235.5 points, followed by Saint John’s (114.5), Hamline (90.0) and Bethel (82.5). The St. Thomas women won with 233 points, followed by Gustavus Adolphus (98.5), Bethel (98), Concordia-Moorhead (87) and Saint Benedict (75).

St. Thomas junior Joe DeFrance won the 200 meters with a time of 22.23 and was also part of the winning 4x400-meter relay team(3:21.96) along with James Ewer, Phil Bastron and P.J. Theisen. Ewer also automatically-qualified for nationals in the 55-meter dash with a time of 6.34 and won the long jump on Friday. Bradford(6.45) and DeFrance(6.46) recorded provisional NCAA qualiifiering marks in finishing second and third, while Hamline's Clarence Suttle(6.47) and Andrew Yokum of Macalester(6.54) also had provisional qualifiers in fourth and fifth. Following up a first-place finish in the mile UST senior Neil Atzinger won the 1,000-meter run with a time of 2:33.48.

Saint John’s junior Eric Buss won the triple jump with a national-qualifying jump of 48' 1.25"(14.66 meters). UST's Theisen was second in an NCAA provisional qualifier of 46' 7.5"(14.21 meters)Hamline senior Brandon Gleason won the 3,000-meter run with a new Donald McNeely Spectrum record time of 8:35.58, while freshman Derall King won the shot put with a throw of 51' 9"(15.71 meters), a provisional qualifier. Gleason also was second in the 5K on Friday in 14:35.2. Bethel freshman Jay Quick won the high jump with a height of 6' 7.5"(2.02 meters), a provisional qualifier. St. Olaf sophomore John Schentzen was second in the shot with an NCAA provisional qualifying throw of 51' 6.5"(15.71 meters). Carleton junior Tom Ballinger won the 600 yard dash while setting a Spectrum record of 1:12.48.

Carleton (66.5), St. Olaf (61), Gustavus Adolphus (43), Concordia-Moorhead (35), Saint Mary’s (26), Macalester (20) and Augsburg (6) rounded out the final seven in the men’s standings.

St. Thomas sophomore Nikki Arola won her third event of the two-day meet with a new Donald McNeely Spectrum record time of 25.42 in the 200 meters. UST sophomore Erin Sprangers won the 1,000-meter run with a new Spectrum record time of 2:55.45, while seniors Selina Dehn and Carol Comp won the triple jump (37' 0.5"/11.29m) and shot put (42' 2"/12.85m), respectively. Both marks were NCAA provisional qualifiers, as was Bethel senior Jennae Plamer's second place leap in the triple jump of 36' 9.5"(11.21 meters). The Tommie women also swept the 800 and 4x400-meter relays. The 800-meter relay team, consisting of Arola, Dehn, Shionna Evans and Kate Staat recorded a time of 1:45.99, while the 4x400-meter relay team consisting of Arola, Sprangers, Katie Theisen and Raynee DeGrio recorded a NCAA provisional qualifying time of 3:57.61.

Bethel sophomore Marie Borner won her second individual title on the weekend with a new Spectrum record time of 1:34.68 in the 600 meters. Concordia-Moorhead freshman Hailey Brenden won the 3,000-meter run in a time of 10:36.44, while Gustavus senior Shanna Dawson and St. Olaf sophomore Amie Fillmore tied for the MIAC title in the pole vault with a height of 11' 11.75"(3.65 meters).

Carleton (51.5), St. Catherine (42.5), Hamline (39), St. Olaf (20.5), Macalester (17), Augsburg (14) and Saint Mary’s (4) rounded out the final seven in the women’s standings.

The 2008 NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships will be held next Friday and Saturday, March 14-15, at Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio.

St. Thomas sweeps team titles at MIAC Indoor Championships

St. Thomas swept the men's and women's team championships at the MIAC Indoor Track Championships at St. John's University in Collegeville on Saturday. The St. Thomas men scored 235.5 points to best host St. John's, which had 114.5. Hamline was third with 90 points. In the women's events, St. Thomas totaled 233 points with the battle for second being decided by a mere half a point. Gustavus edged Bethel for second 98.5 to 98.

Full recap later.

Andrew Carlson Wins Gate River Run: McGregor Second and Zemba Fourth in Women's Race

Team USA Minnesota's Andrew Carlson won big at the Gate River Run 15K in Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday. On a windy day with temperatures in the 60s, Carlson set a new personal best by over a minute, winning the men's race by nine seconds over runner-up Dan Browne with a time of 44:12. Carlson earned $12,000 first place money, plus another $5,000 Equalizer bonus for being first across the finish line. The Gate River Run starts the women's field five minutes before the men(based on the difference between the men's and women's US records for the distance), creating a handicap race format where the men and women compete for the Equalizer prize that goes to the first runner to reach the finish line.

Carlson caught Olympic bronze medalist in the women's marathon, Deena Kastor, as the pair was going over the Hart Bridge near the end of the race. Kastor won the women's race in 49:36. Team USA Minnesota's Katie McGregor was second in 50:53. Teammate Mandi Zemba was fourth in 52:33. Minnesota native Turena Johnson Lane finished seventh in 52:38 as the third through seventh place finishers in the women's divison were separated by a mere five seconds. Former Team USA Minnesota runners Annie Bersagel(52:43) and Dana Coons(53:13) were eighth and eleventh, respectively. Team USA Minnesota's Matt Gabrielson was 11th in the men's race in 45:46.

"I went to the front of the pack at two meters and was pretty much up front the entire time," said Carlson. "I'm from North Dakota so I'm used to wind, but you never run as fast when you're running into the wind. It felt like it was just beating on me the whole time. I shared the front with Fasil (Bizuneh who finished fourth) and Reid (Coolsaet who was third)and there was a pack running right behind us.

"When Dan Browne made his move with a little over a mile to go I decided to go with him because he's been winning races like that for years. I rallied and caught him on the bridge (and put ten meters on Browne. It's a matter of whoever can get up there on the bridge the fastest. That's when I saw Deena running across the bridge with the wind blowing all around, and she was trying to keep her hat on. When I went by her, she gave me a thumbs up.

"It was a weird feeling on that bridge. I felt like I was going to get blown off. Then I went into the tunnel toward the finish line and it opened up into a football stadium. There were all these people in the stands cheering. It was a great way to finish. Then I waited for Deena to finish and gave her a hug. You never think you are going to get a chance to duel with an Olympic bronze medalist so that was an interesting race (with the Equalizer format).

"Overall, I felt strong the entire way. The days where you have your good days are the days it seems easy. I have been second, third, fourth, you name it in national championships of various distances, so it feels great to finally get the win."

Carlson is on a roll in 2008, with the Gate Run being his second victory and personal best on the roads this year. On New Year's Eve, Carlson won the Emerald Nuts 8K in Central Park. The race was designated as the USATF 15K championship for 2008 giving Carlson a national championship in addition to the prize money.

Deatherage Seventh in IAAF Indoor Championships

Jenelle Deatherage ran a season's best of 4:14.27 in the 1,500 at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Spain, but finished seventh and did not qualify for Sunday's final. After the race, Deatherage told USATF's Vicki Oddi that travel woes and the resulting toll they took on her handicapped her efforts: "My race was way too much about how I felt," she said. "It was a rough trip over here."

St. Thomas in Command in MIAC Indoor Champs

St. Thomas continues to dominate the MIAC Indoor Track Championships as both the men's and women's teams lead after the first full day of competition at St. John's Universtiy in Collegeville. The women scored 119 points, 56 points ahead of second-place Concordia-Moorhead. Three Tommie women won MIAC titles with new Donald McNeely Spectrum records: junior Katie Theisen in the 800 meters (2:15.00), sophomore Nikki Arola in the 400 meters (58.41) and senior Carol Comp in the weight throw (15.98 meters). Arola also claimed the conference championship in the 55-meter dash (7.41) in a tie with Augsburg sophomore Whitney Holman, while sophomore Laura Janas won the 55-meter hurdles (8.63) and senior Selina Dehn won the long jump (5.35 meters).

Concordia had three second-place finishes: sophomore Kristin Slette in the 400m (60.29), sophomore Valerie Glynn in the high jump (1.6m) and sophomore Leah Kay in the pentathlon (3,249 points).

Bethel is in third place with 52 points. Sophomore Marie Borner automatically qualified for the NCAA mile with a new Spectrum and meet record time of 4:54.49. Carleton senior Katherine Wingert also surpassed the old Spectrum (5:12.67) and meet records (5:05.32) with a time of 5:03.54 in second. In the distance medley relay, Borner, Ashley Keefe, Kayla Jelen and Heather Jelen of Bethel claimed the conference title with a new meet record time of 12:27.15.

The Gustavus women scored 45 points, good for fourth place. Sophomore Kaelene Lundstrum claimed two MIAC titles. Lundstrum won the pentathlon with a meet record of 3,342 points and the high jump(1.6 meters).

The St. Thomas men scored 139 points. Junior James Ewer won MIAC titles in the 55-meter dash and the long jump. Ewer’s time of 6.34 seconds automatically qualifies him for the NCAA Division III Indoor Championships May 14-15 in Ada, Ohio. UST also received conference crowns from junior Brian Sames in the 800m (1:54.68), senior Neil Atzinger in the mile with a new Spectrum record of 4:16.29, and senior Derek Marks in the weight throw (17.15 meters), another Spectrum record.

The Saint John’s men are in second with 68.5 points . Senior Chris Erichsen automatically qualified for the NCAA Indoor Championships in the 5,000 meters with a new Spectrum record time of 14:31.02, while senior Mike Leither won the heptathlon with a total of 4,754 points. Hamline's Brandon Gleason was second in the 5K in 14:35.2, an NCAA provisional qualifying time, as the second through sixth place runners all ran provisional qualifiers. Hamline is third in the team race with 42 points.

Bethel sophomore Taylor Ferda won the 55-meter hurdles with a Spectrum-record time of 7.62 seconds, while Carleton junior Tom Ballinger won the 400-meters. Bethel is fourth in the team standings with 39 points. Carleton is in fifth with 35.

St. Olaf’s distance medley relay team of Tim Drahn, Tom Marti, Dan Varley and Doboul Ruon won the MIAC title with a new Spectrum record of 10:20.56. St. Olaf is sixth in the team compeition with 30 points. Gustavus’ Drew Hood, who finished second in the heptathlon, won the conference championship in the pole vault with a height of 4.56 meters. Gustavus is in seventh with 29.5 points.

The St. Thomas men have won every MIAC Indoor meet since 1985. The St. Thomas women are aiming for their eighth straight title. They have won 20 team titles since 1985. Concordia has won the other three titles, their last coming in 1999.

MIAC Indoor Championships Underway

The multi-events are already finished and the individual and relay action begins at 5 PM this evening at the MIAC Indoor Track Championships at St. John's University. For a complete schedule, results, previews, records, past results, and links to the individual teams, click here.

The meet got off to a record breaking start as Gustavus sophomore Kaelene Lundstrum set a new record in the pentathlon with 3,342 points, breaking the prior championship meet record of 3,317 set in 2005 by Ashley Dingles of St. Mary's. St. John's senior Mike Leither won the heptathon with 4,753 points.

Marks Fails to Quaify for Finals at Worlds

I just got done competing and it did not go very well. (Marks did not qualify for the final, finishing 16th in qualifying, jumping 13.33 meters/43' 8.75". Hrysopiyi Devetzi of Greece had the longest jump in qualifying of 14.63/48' meters Eight qualified for the final with the final spot taken by Olga Rypakova of Kazakhstan with 14.20 meters). I actually felt pretty good, but my approach was messed up, and I was either way behind the board or scratched. "It was horrible. I couldn't get into my rhythm," Marks told the USATF's Vicky Oddi. "On one of my jumps my leg collapsed and another was a foul. It just wasn't there."

I have to be honest... most countries are not fond of the US athletes. Partly because we are the US, but also partly because we dominate so many events, track and field events, especially the sprints. The US team is used to that and no one really lets it get to them. However, as US athletes I would say that we get treated very well by our governing body (USATF) in comparison to other countries. We stay at great hotels, have a great big staff ready to provide us with anything that we might need, we get an abundance of apparel to wear during the meets, etc.

I am done competing now, but I'm excited to enjoy my last few days in Spain watching the meet and cheering on my teammates. Then I will be ready to get home, take a little time off, and then get prepared for outdoor season.

The IAAF website has complete coverage of the World Championships. Full results and highlights, live radio coverage, as well as photo and video highlights. Just click here.

Photo Courtesy of USATF

Cheever Goes the Distance for the Gophers

University of Minnesota junior Jamie Cheever put in a total of 11,218 meters last weekend at the Big Ten Championships. Her second place finish in the mile and sixth in both the 3K and 5K helped the women win their second straight Big Ten team title. This week she was named to the All Big Ten Indoor Team. She tells DtB about the weekend and her plans for NCAA indoors and outdoor season.

DtB: You put in a lot of mileage over the weekend. How did you approach it? Take one at a time? Just block out the fatigue or let the adrenaline of the team race pull you through?

JC: I definitely took each race one at a time. On Friday night I visualized the mile prelims and talked to coach Wilson about how Heather and I should run the race. Once the mile prelims were done, I repeated the process with the 3K, then mile finals, then the 5K, although there wasn't much time to prepare for that race. It's difficult to block out the fatigue, but running at home in front my friends, family, and other Minnesota track fans was so exciting, that I forgot how tired I was during my races. The adrenaline of the team also helped pull me through because everyone had spectacular performances from the first event to the last event.

DtB: There wasn't a lot of time between the events. Did that help or make it more difficult?

JC: The limited amount of time was challenging. I was very thankful for the two false starts in the 5K. However, watching other athletes with tough doubles and triples--Liz and Heather come to mind right away--gave me inspiration.

DtB: Did being in front of the home crowd help? Where they able to push you along when the fatigue started to set in?

JC: I had so much fun running at home. The University staff did a wonderful job of setting up the fieldhouse, and the meet was well run. The crowd was very supportive, which made racing even more exciting than usual.

DtB: What were your thoughts during the 600 when you saw Heather go down?

JC: I was warming up for the 5K during her race, but I heard all about the fall. As usual, she amazes me with her strength and competitiveness. I am proud that I have a teammate who is so tough. I heard Jamie Dittmar also looked very strong during the 600 meters. I was able to see the finish of the 800 meters, which was very inspiring.

DtB: What are your plans for the rest of the indoor season? NCAAs? Outdoors?

JC: I will declare in either the mile or 3K for nationals, and I will run in the distance medley relay. I'm excited to see how well our DMR can do, and hopefully Heather will stay on her feet. During the outdoor season, I want to focus on the steeplechase and 1500 meters.

Photo Courtesy of the University of Minnesota

Shani Marks Gets Ready for Worlds, Without Her Luggage

Triple jumper Shani Marks, four-time USATF champ and University of Minnesota grad, is in Valencia, Spain with the US team to compete in the IAAF World Indoor Championships, March 7-9. She agreed to file occassional reports from there for DtB. Here is her first report.

"Spain so been quite the adventure so far. I got here on Monday afternoon and was without my bags for about two days. So my first two days here were spent working out and then shopping for what clothes and other things I would need for the day. Luckily my roommate was kind enough to share her things with me. We started referring to her stuff as 'our stuff.' But now my things are here and all is good.

"The USA team, as well as the Jamaican and Italian teams, are staying at the Melia Palace Hotel right in Valencia. The hotel is beautiful and in a great location within walking distance to lots of restaurants, tourist attractions, and of course the subway. We have about 50 athletes from the US that are here for the competition. Because there are so many athletes here and the weather has been pretty decent, all teams have been practicing at the outdoor track located near the indoor meet track. It's been in the 60's since we've been here, so it feels great compared to Minnesota weather right now. The meet starts tomorrow, but today will be the first day that we are allowed to practice at the indoor competition facility.

"All of the members of the team are friendly and get along pretty well. We have an athlete lounge set up in the hotel where we have snacks, movies and games. So the athletes are usually hanging out either in the lounge or in the cafeteria. They also bring a full medical staff so there are two suites set up with massage, trainers, doctors, and chiropractors. USATF really does a good job of making sure that the athletes have everything they need here.

"We have been in Valencia since Monday so most of us are anxious for the meet to start."

Photo Courtesy of USATF

Big Ten Honors Announced

The Big Ten has announced its honors for the indoor track season. Three Gopher female athletes won season awards. Three were selected to the the Big Ten first team. Seven made second team All Big Ten. Women's coach Matt Bingle was named coach of the year. Among the men, one was selected to first team All Big Ten. Six made the second team All Big Ten team.

Women

Track Athlete of the Year
Tiffany Ofili, Michigan

Field Athlete of the Year
Liz Roehrig, Minnesota

Freshman of the Year
Shavon Greaves, Penn State

Track Athlete of the Championships
Shana Cox, Penn State

Field Athlete of the Championships
Liz Roehrig, Minnesota

Coach of the Year
Matt Bingle, Minnesota

First Team All-Big Ten
Tiara Armstrong, Illinois
Audrey Smoot, Indiana
Meghan Armstrong, Iowa
Renee White, Iowa
Nicole Edwards, Michigan
Geena Gail, Michigan
Alyson Kohlmeier, Michigan
Tiffany Ofili, Michigan
Danielle Tauro, Michigan
Bettie Wade, Michigan
Serita Williams, Michigan
Liz Podominick, Minnesota
Liz Roehrig, Minnesota
Alicia Rue, Minnesota
Veronica Jatsek, Ohio State
Aleesha Barber, Penn State
Dominque Blake, Penn State
Shana Cox, Penn State
Briene Simmons, Penn State
Katrina Rundhuag, Wisconsin

Second Team All-Big Ten
Kineke Alexander, Iowa
Amber Hay, Michigan
Casey Taylor, Michigan
Shana Vinson, Michigan
Nicole Bush, Michigan State
Gabriele Anderson, Minnesota
Jamie Cheever, Minnesota
Heather Dorniden, Minnesota
Christin Kingsley, Minnesota
Challis Larson, Minnesota
Caitlin Roemhildt, Minnesota
Julie Schwengler, Minnesota
Nikki Swenson, Minnesota
Emma Schmelzer, Penn State
Mallory Peck, Purdue
Astin Steward, Purdue
Jenny Soceka, Wisconsin

The Big Ten Conference office honors an individual from each team with the Sportsmanship Award. The student-athletes chosen were individuals who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior. In addition, the student-athletes must be in good academic standing and have demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting. Honorees for women's indoor track and field are: Illinois's Angela Bizzarri, Indiana's Vera Neunswander, Iowa's Renee White, Michigan's Bettie Wade, Michigan State's Meagan Halliwill, Minnesota's Heather Dorniden, Ohio State's Veronica Jatsek, Penn State's Claire Berryman, Purdue's Lauren Scott and Wisconsin's Lindsey Biel. These eleven student-athletes are now candidates for the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award, as the conference office will honor one male and one female student-athlete from each institution at the end of the school year.

Men

Track Athlete of the Year
Brandon Bethke, Wisconsin

Field Athlete of the Year
Jon Pullum, Purdue

Freshman of the Year
Josh Hembrough, Purdue

Track Athlete of the Championships
Brandon Bethke, Wisconsin

Field Athlete of the Championships
Jon Pullum, Purdue

Coach of the Year
Ed Nuttycombe, Wisconsin

First Team All-Big Ten
Gakolegwang Masheto, Illinois
John Hickey, Iowa,
Adam Harris, Michigan
Frank Shotwell, Michigan
Ben Peterson, Minnesota
Matt Comer, Ohio State
Curtis Leuenberger, Ohio State
Stephen Robinson, Ohio State
Jeff See, Ohio State
Elon Simms, Ohio State
Mark Miller, Penn State
Clarence Smith, Penn State
Adesanya Adetayo, Purdue
Josh Hembrough, Purdue
Jon Pullum, Purdue
Jh'Rome Tuggle, Purdue
Brandon Bethke, Wisconsin
Jack Bolas, Wisconsin
James Groce, Wisconsin
Luke Hoenecke, Wisconsin
Craig Miller, Wisconsin
Joe Pierre, Wisconsin

Second Team All-Big Ten
Kyle Jenkins, Indiana
Adam Hairston, Iowa
Shane Maier, Iowa
Jeremy Orr, Michigan State
Ibrahim Kabia, Minnesota
Eddie Kibira, Minnesota
Mike Linnemann, Minnesota
Hassan Mead, Minnesota
David Pachuta, Minnesota
Chris Rombough, Minnesota
Anthony Cole, Ohio State
Lenny Jatsek, Ohio State
Ryan Fritz, Penn State
Ron Jules, Penn State
Chris Morrissey, Penn State
Eric Sparks, Purdue
Evan Jager, Wisconsin
Rayme Mackinson, Wisconsin

The Big Ten Conference office honors an individual from each team with the Sportsmanship Award. The student-athletes chosen were individuals who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior. In addition, the student-athletes must be in good academic standing and have demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting. Honorees for men's indoor track and field are, Illinois's Gakolegwang Masheto, Indiana's Paul Fearnow, Iowa's Max Milder, Michigan's Frank Shotwell, Michigan State's Kyron Foster, Minnesota's Ibrahim Kabia, Ohio State's Lenny Jatsek, Penn State's Ryan Taylor, Purdue's Brian Kaluf and Wisconsin's Peter Dykstra. These eleven student-athletes are now candidates for the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award, as the conference office will honor one male and one female student-athlete from each institution at the end of the school year.

Medtronic TC One Mile Registration Begins March 13

Registration for the Medtronic TC 1 Mile gets under-way March 13. The race, offering one of the nation’s largest one-mile prize purses of $25,000 and a $10,000 bonus for any man running under 4:00 or woman under 4:28, is scheduled for May 8.

“The $25,000 prize purse is the culmination of the vision to bring a highly competitive field to downtown Minneapolis, not only to showcase the beauty of the city, but to recognize the phenomenal growth and interest in this race,” said Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. Race Director Brian Mastel. “In addition to first place prize money of $4,000, we’re excited to also offer a $10,000 bounty each to the first place male breaking four minutes and to the first place female breaking 4:28.”

In its fourth year, the Medtronic TC 1 Mile is now part of the USATF MN Team Circuit/Championship Race Schedule. Click on usatfmn.org for more information on the Team Circuit Championship or to obtain 2008 USATF Membership. On-line only registration starts at 12:01 AM March 13 and the first 600 to register are guaranteed an entry into the lottery-only, Medtronic TC 10 Mile race.

Another 400 Medtronic TC 1 Mile finishers will be randomly selected for a guaranteed entry into that race as well. The Medtronic TC 1 Mile runs along Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis. Race officials expect about 2,500 participants, including runners from around the country.The first wave begins at 6:50 PM, Thursday, May 8.

Teams can take part in the Corporate Team Challenge again this year and spectators can cheer on their favorite participant at one of the Official Cheers Zones along the route.Visit mtcmarathon.org for more details and registration information.

Garrett Heath Talks Track

Winona native and Stanford junior Garrett Heath continues to impress during the indoor season. After his performances at the MPSF Indoor Championships, he answered a few questions from DtB.

DtB: You got the qualifying time in the distance medley relay. Were you also trying for one in the 3K or was that just for points?

GH: Qualifying for the DMR was really our main goal for this last weekend, so having everyone come together and run well on the same day to make it happen for us was great. There was a lot of good competition in that race as well, in terms of UCLA and Arizona State, and that really helped us run the way we did. On the other hand, the 3K was my third event of the weekend, so at that point I was just running to get points for the team. Originally this season, I had hoped to take a shot at the 3K fresh, but the season is just too short and it never really materialized. At the time of the 3K, the team race was pretty tight, so we were just trying to get as many possible points in there as we could.

DtB: What was your split on the DMR anchor?

GH: 3:56 point something.

DtB: How did the races play out? You had a one, two Stanford finish in the mile. The DMR was close, as was the team race between the top three.

GH: Having the one, two finish in the mile was great. We also had a couple of other guys on our team score in that race as well with huge PRs, so it was pretty successful all around. I ended up getting out hard and setting the pace for the first 900 meters or so before a couple of my teammates took over through about 1300 meters. The pace was slow, and we came through 1200 meters in about 3:10. From there it was an extremely tight race with everyone kicking a couple wide down the backstretch and to the line.

In the DMR, it was a tight race for us the whole way with a couple other Pac-10 schools. Both our 1200 meter and 400 meter guys ran extremely well to hand it off to our 800 meter leg in the lead. He ran a PR 1:50 split that really made the difference in us running as fast as we did. When I got the baton, we were even with Arizona State for second place with UCLA leading. From there I just tried to settle in and maintain at least a 4:00 pace, as I could hear my teammates shouting that we needed 4:00 to qualify for nationals. The pace that I ended up running wasn't exactly even by any means, but coming around the last lap I heard 3:00 and knew that I could close in under 60 seconds. Overall, making it to nationals with this team of guys is amazing and something that we have all been looking forward to all season.

DtB: Any surprises or did things go about as expected?

GH: Going into the last weekend, we had a lot of expectations and things that we wanted to get accomplished between qualifying the DMR for nationals and win the meet as a team. I would say that we were happily surprised by a lot of the results and the way that everyone stepped up at the big meet. We didn't end up winning the team title, but just keeping ourselves in the hunt until the last event or two was pretty exciting for everyone.

Photo Courtesy of Garrett Heath

MIAC Athletes of the Week

Hamline University freshman Javan Copley (Arden Hills, MN) is the MIAC Track Athlete of the Week. Copley broke the Hamline school record in the 200 meters on Saturday afternoon at the St. Olaf Qualifier. His time of 22.62 currently ranks second in the MIAC.

Saint Mary’s University junior Chris Fisette (Elmhurst, IL)and St. Olaf sophomore John Schantzen were selected as co-field Athletes of the Week. Fisette set his third school record in two weeks at the Carleton Pre-MIAC meet on Friday. He qualified provisionally for nationals with a leap of of 14.08m (46’ 2 1/2") in the triple jump. He also won the long jump going 6.55 m (21' 6"). Finally, he anchored the 4x200 Relay to a new school record with a time of 1:31.95. Other members were Josiah Ryks, Eddie Moore and John Kelly. One week earlier, Fisette had established a school record in the 200 meters of 22.95.

Schantzen (Stillwater, MN) won the shot put at The Qualifier at St. Olaf on Saturday with a personal best, NCAA Provisional Mark of 16.33 (53'-7"). The mark ranks him first in the MIAC and sixth in Division III. It also ranks second on St. Olaf's All-Time list.

University of St. Thomas sophomore Kelly Russ (Plymouth, MN/Wayzata) and Kaeline Lundstrum were MIAC Athletes of the Week for track and field. Russ was the top track athlete, winning the 1000 meters in 2:59.94 at the Ole Open hosted by St. Olaf on February 29. Russ is now ranked first on the MIAC list in the event.

Gustavus Adolphus College sophomore pentathlete Lundstrum (Bird Island, MN) was the field athlete, winning the high jump at the Pre-MIAC meet at Carleton with a school record jump of 5' 6''. That height puts her in fourth on the national list. She also placed second in the 55 hurdles, third in the 400, and ran a leg on the winning 4 x 400 relay.

MIAC Indoor Championships Start on Thursday

The 2008 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Indoor Track & Field Championships will take place March 6-8 at the Donald McNeely Spectrum on the campus of Saint John's University in Collegeville, MN.

Gustavus, St. Olaf, Concordia, and Macalester were all middle of the pack teams in 2007. They will all look to make a move up in the final standings. Saint Mary's and Augsburg have had strong performers during the indoor season and hope to peak at this weekend's meet. For a preview on each men's team, click here. For a preview on each women's team, click here. For the meet schedule, click here.

Liz Roehrig Talks About Her Fourpeat

University of Minnesota senior Liz Roehrig became the first person at the school to win the same event four years in a row at the Big Ten Championships when she won the pentathlon on Saturday. Her win was one of three individual event wins on day one of the competition that propelled the Gophers into a lead they would never relinquish on their way to their second straight team title. Roehrig answered a few questions about her accomplishments and future plans for DtB.

DtB: You have set one of those records that can't be topped, only tied, so you'll always have your unique spot in history. How does that feel?

LR: To some extent it is really just starting to sink in what I have accomplished. At the time it was just amazing to win the title in front of the home crowd, and get the points for the team.

DtB: Did you just approach it year by year? No thoughts after the first one that you could do it four years in a row?

LR: It's definitely something that just kind happened year by year. My freshman year I didn't say to myself: "Wow, my goal is to win the pentathlon four years in a row," it was something that just kind of fell in place, and I enjoyed the ride the entire way. I could have never done it without being able to just go out there and have fun.

DtB: What is the toughest event for you? Which one do you enjoy most?

LR: The toughest event is definitely the 800, however, I feel this season I have more mental and physical control and power to compete strong in this event. When asked which event I enjoy the most, I always have trouble answering that question. High jump has always been my favorite event because it is the event that I have done for my entire life. I do enjoy competing in hurdles and long jump also a lot!

DtB: How does the team aspect play into it?

LR: The team means a lot to me. Many people ask about big tens and nationals, and I always say that nationals is just like a bonus. I like to train my season around Big Tens because that is the most important meet to me. Sacrificing my body to score as many points as I can for the team at the Big Tens, in hopes that our team can win means more to me then winning a national title. A team title you can share and enjoy with everyone you have been training with all year. An individual title you just kind of celebrate by yourself. I will compete my hardest, and try my best to be a national champ, but winning with the team is just different. It's kind of hard to explain, but that's just how I feel.

DtB: Have any of the titles been more memorable than the others?

LR: I think the title I just won is probably my most memorable. Being at home and having the home crowd there to cheer for you. I had so many family members and friends there to watch, it made me so proud to look out into the crowd after I won and see people standing up, cheering and waving. Some of them have never seen me compete, and I felt like winning the title was a way of thanking them for all of their support throughout my athletic career. (Roehrig and Coach Bingle celebrate the victory. Photo courtesy of University of Minnesota)

DtB: What are your fondest memories of the last four years?

LR: Any memories of being with the team and coaches, just having a good time. My favorite memories are from multi competitions when Maggie, Jacenta, me, and Coach Bingle travel together and spend WAY to much time together, ha ha. We all have become really close through track, and can joke around and just have so much fun doing the oddest/craziest things.

DtB: What's next? NCAAs?

LR: NCAAs are a week from Friday, and the pentathlon at NCAAs are a week form Saturday. I am really looking forward to that competition, because it will be really intense. There will be some amazing athletes there, and it is always great to get out there and compete.

DtB: What are your goals? Goals beyond college?

LR: Track is more important when it comes to the outdoor season, so ultimately I would just like to pick-up where I left off last year when I got injured. I feel I have come a long way, and I am stronger and more capable of improving my heptathlon score from last year before the injury. Another goal is to compete well in the Olympic trials, and continue to progress in the heptathlon

DtB: Do you have the desire to continue on with the sport?

LR: I would love to compete in track and field forever! This sport has shaped my life so much the way it is. However, we all know that forever is not an option, ha ha. I do plan on continuing with track and field as long as my body allows me to!

DtB: How does it fit in with your school work, your future career plans?

LR: I plan on graduating in December and starting my graduate work in the spring for my final season of eligibility. Then in June of '09, I will start a year long program here at the U of M to get my Physical Education license. As far as after that, everything is up in the air! I like to just go with the flow of things, and more then likely that is what I will end up doing!

Photo Courtesy of the University of Minnesota

Coach Matt Bingle Gives His Thoughts on Big Ten Indoors

This weekend at the University of Minnesota Fieldhouse, the Gopher women won their second straight Big Ten Indoor Championship. That makes it four of the last five Big Ten Championships(XC, Indoor[2] and Outdoor) have been won by the University of Minnesota women. Head coach Matt Bingle gave these replies to questions from DtB.

DtB: Your pre-meet quotes take on what I, tongue in cheek, call the Cyndi Lauper approach--girls just wanna have fun--to the competition. Any insights into the rationale for this approach. Why you use it?

MB: The girls taught me this. When I first came here I tried the fire and brimstone. Did not work. So I changed to what my team was like.

DtB: You also said that you like it better when you are on the road, so you had the team stay in a hotel for the Big Tens. Why the desire to recreate the "road" atmosphere?

MB: The women on the team like to hang out together and are more relaxed when we do travel together. So we were just trying to recreate that atmosphere.

DtB: Why do you believe it works for the team?

MB: I think this team knows how to compete and has the fire in them to do that. I don't need to fire them up. They are all ready lit. The staff just needs to create that fun atmosphere, and let them do the rest

DtB: How important was the good start you had on the first day of the meet?

MB: It was awesome. Those event finals on Saturday really got the team rolling, and it just took off!

DtB: You noted the importance of Heather's (Dorniden)efforts in the 600. Were you beginning to feel pressure or panic as Michigan was making its run?

MB: I think we were starting to look at the point situation down the stretch, so it did seem critical at that point.

DtB: What were your thoughts when you saw Heather go down?

MB: We are going to lose. Then it was we can do this. Finally, she is going to get that girl.

DtB: How quickly did they change when she got up and won the heat?

MB: After that you felt relieved, but then it was the 5K and Michigan had Kohlmier. So we were still not assured of anything.

DtB: Is the Big Ten win something you have time to savor now or do you just go into planning mode for the NCAA Championships and outdoor season?

MB: I savored the win on Sunday night with my family, and we are now looking ahead to the NCAAs and to outdoor. That is what is great about track. You just have to keep looking ahead. There is always something, whether it is recruiting or competing.

DtB: What are the special memories that you'll take away from this weekend?

MB: Liz Roehrig breaking the Big ten record and winning her fourth title in the event. First ever Minnesota athlete in any sport to do so. Watching the team going crazy during the high jump, 600 meters, and 800 meters. Hearing the crowd go crazy during the 600/800 races and, finally, to win on our own track with our families and friends!

Ramsey Kavan of South Dakota and Denise Mokaya of Minnesota State-Mankato have been named the Outstanding Athletes for their efforts at the North Central Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships held February 29-March 1 in Mankato. Lucky Huber of South Dakota and Mark Schuck of Minnesota State-Mankato have been named the North Central Conference Indoor Track and Field Coaches of the Year.

Kavan, a sophomore from Yankton, SD, won the mile(5:01.4), 3,000 meter(10:13.01) and 1,000 meter(2:53.33) runs and ran a leg of the winning distance medley relay. Kavan had an NCAA provisional mark in the mile. South Dakota claimed the team title for the eighth time overall and third time in the last four years.

Moyaka, a junior from Ngong, Kenya, won the mile and 800-meter run at the Championships and helped lead Minnesota State to a 284-148 victory over second-place South Dakota. He ran the mile in 4:16.47 as Minnesota State took four of the top five places in the event. Mokaya won the 800 in 1:53.71, an NCAA provisional-qualifying time. Mokaya was the Outstanding Athlete at the 2007 NCC Cross Country Championships.

Huber guided South Dakota to its eighth NCC Indoor Track & Field Championship and the third in the last four years. The Coyotes captured seven event championships at the meet to finish with a 192-162 edge over second-place Minnesota State-Mankato. Huber is being honored for the sixth time in his career.

Schuck led Minnesota State to the largest margin of victory in the history of the league. The Mavericks captured 14 of the 19 events in the meet. Minnesota State has now claimed eight indoor NCC titles, including two of the last three.

Garrett Heath Wins Mile, Anchors DMR at MPSF Indoor Track Championships

Stanford junior Garrett Heath won the mile and anchored the winning DMR at this weekend's MPSF Indoor Track Championships at the University of Washington. Heath led a one, two Stanford finish in the mile, running 4:07.39. Teammate Hakon DeVries was second in 4:07.83.

The Distance Medley Relay team broke the conference record, running 9:31:52. The mark is an automatic qualifier for the NCAA indoor championships. To complete his busy weekend, Heath also finished fifth in the 3K in 8:07.79.

Stanford(83) finished third in a tight race in the men's team competition behind Oregon(90), and California(84.5).

Photo Courtesy of Garrett Heath

Katie McGregor Interviewed By Runner's World

As frigid temperatures continue in Minnesota, the "snowbirds," Team USA Minnesota's Katie McGregor, along with teammates Mandi Zemba, Jason Lehmkuhle, Andrew Carlson, and Matt Gabrielson, will be running this weekend in Jacksonville, Florida's Gate River Run 15K. McGregor will also be running in Central Park Challenge 8K the next weekend on March 15. She talks about teammate Emily Brown, World Cross, training in the Minnesota winters, and other topics. To read the interview, click here.