University of Minnesota Athletics
GOPHER RECRUITING CLASS RANKS AMONG NATION'S BEST
1/4/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Track & Field
The January issue of Track & Field Newsrated the Golden Gopher freshmen "just outside the top 5." This year's class featured high school All-Americans Karl Erickson (Zumbro Falls, Minn./ Rochester Century), Erik Grumstrup (Black Hawk, S.D./Stevens), Ben Hanson (Montrose, Minn./Buffalo), Rob Merritt (Springfield, Minn./Hopkins) and Trent Riter (Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View).
Erickson was a four-time state champion and his discus mark of 201-7 last season ranked seventh nationally. Grumstrup was a six-time state champion in cross country and track, while Hanson earned All-America honors in 1998 from USA Track & Field. Merritt is the Minnesota state record-holder in the 200-meter dash and was a finalist in both the 100 meters and 200 meters at the Junior Olympics. Riter was a two-time All- American, while setting the Minnesota state 800-meter mark of 1:49.76.
