University of Minnesota Athletics
Golden Gopher Men's Cross Country Season in Review
12/1/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country
- Click Here for Golden Gopher Season in Review Release
The 2003 Golden Gopher men's cross country season was highlighted by the squad's seventh consecutive appearance at the NCAA Championships. Minnesota placed 26th but will return all but one runner from its nationals contingent for the 2004 campaign.
Minnesota needed to run its finest meet of the season at the NCAA Midwest Region Championships and did just that to earn the national berth with a second-place finish. Senior Luke Mullranin had never even been the Gophers' top runner in a big race, until the regional that is.
Mullranin ran the race of his career, earning all-region honors with a sixth-place finish. He was one of four Golden Gophers to capture all-region honors. Antonio Vega placed ninth, while Ryan Ford was 23rd and Martin Robeck finished 25th.
The Gophers made a strong showing in NCAA competition after a sub-par performance in placing sixth in the Big Ten Championships. Vega was the top runner for the Gophers finishing in 23rd place.
The loss of senior All-American and team captain Andrew Carlson to injury affected the Gophers throughout the season. Head coach Steve Plasencia spoke of the Gophers' inconsistency up front, as evidenced by having four different teammates finish as the team's number-one runner.
Junior Erik Grumstrup paced the Golden Gophers as the top finisher in three meets to start the season, before Vega (Big Ten), Mullranin (NCAA Midwest Regional) and Ryan Malmin (NCAA Championships) took turns at the top spot.
Vega, a redshirt freshman, showed continuous improvement in his first collegiate season of competition. He finished in the Gophers' top three in the last four meets of the season, including the three championship events.
The only senior the Gophers lose for the 2004 season in Mullranin. Carlson will return for his senior season.
- Click Here for Golden Gopher Season in Review Release
The 2003 Golden Gopher men's cross country season was highlighted by the squad's seventh consecutive appearance at the NCAA Championships. Minnesota placed 26th but will return all but one runner from its nationals contingent for the 2004 campaign.
Minnesota needed to run its finest meet of the season at the NCAA Midwest Region Championships and did just that to earn the national berth with a second-place finish. Senior Luke Mullranin had never even been the Gophers' top runner in a big race, until the regional that is.
Mullranin ran the race of his career, earning all-region honors with a sixth-place finish. He was one of four Golden Gophers to capture all-region honors. Antonio Vega placed ninth, while Ryan Ford was 23rd and Martin Robeck finished 25th.
The Gophers made a strong showing in NCAA competition after a sub-par performance in placing sixth in the Big Ten Championships. Vega was the top runner for the Gophers finishing in 23rd place.
The loss of senior All-American and team captain Andrew Carlson to injury affected the Gophers throughout the season. Head coach Steve Plasencia spoke of the Gophers' inconsistency up front, as evidenced by having four different teammates finish as the team's number-one runner.
Junior Erik Grumstrup paced the Golden Gophers as the top finisher in three meets to start the season, before Vega (Big Ten), Mullranin (NCAA Midwest Regional) and Ryan Malmin (NCAA Championships) took turns at the top spot.
Vega, a redshirt freshman, showed continuous improvement in his first collegiate season of competition. He finished in the Gophers' top three in the last four meets of the season, including the three championship events.
The only senior the Gophers lose for the 2004 season in Mullranin. Carlson will return for his senior season.
