University of Minnesota Athletics
Women's Track & Field 2003 Season in Review
6/24/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
If a highlight reel were created for the 2003 Minnesota indoor and outdoor women's track & field seasons, several disciplines of the Golden Gopher team would be included. The best moments would be provided by a triple jumper, a shot putter, two pole vaulters and a bunch of talented 400-meter runners.
In the end, brilliant careers would be completed, other new ones begun and still others would see their hard work and dedication pay off in top finishes and records.
Senior Shani Marks placed her finishing touches on a spectacular Minnesota career and goes down in the books as one of the most highly decorated track & field athletes in Gopher history. Marks rewrote the record books in the triple jump five times en route to earning both indoor and outdoor All-America honors.
Marks would end her career by placing second at the NCAA Championships, joining a list of seven Gopher athletes to garner national runner-up honors. The two-year Gopher captain was so very close to becoming the first national champion in Minnesota women's track & field history, but a great effort by a Nebraska jumper in her final jump snagged the title from Marks' grasp.
Marks did capture titles in the event at the Drake Relays and the Big Ten Outdoor Championships. Her winning leap of 45 feet, 3 inches at Drake not only stands as the new Minnesota record, but was also the best jump by an American collegian this season.
During the indoor season, Marks notched All-America honors with a sixth-place finish at the NCAA Indoor Championships.
Obviously talented athletically, Marks also earned national recognition academically. She earned Verizon Academic All-America First Team honors and was recognized as that honor squad's Academic All-American of the Year. Marks was also one of Minnesota's recipients of the Big Ten Medal of Honor.
Marks' talented extended further than just the triple jump. She was the 2003 Big Ten runner-up in the 600-meters indoors and the 400-meter hurdles outdoors but it was in a team event, the 4x400-meter relay, that Marks was part of something special on the track.
The 4x400-meter relay brought together four talented sprinters to make Gopher history. The foursome of Lisa Michelson, Marks, Rachel Schutz and Kou Luogon ran to the Big Ten indoor title, marking the first conference relay crown in Minnesota history.
The relay gained strength as the outdoor season wore on. The group broke the school record not once but twice while placing fifth at the prestigious Drake Relays. The record would be rewritten one more time in their final race of the season when the relay posted a time of 3 minutes, 38.59 seconds at the NCAA Midwest Regional.
The anchor leg of the 4x400-meter relay, freshman Kou Luogon, ran to individual honors in the 400-meter dash during the season. Luogon ran a time of 54.45 at the Iowa Musco Twilight Meet to break the Gopher school record that had stood for 27 years in the event. Luogon reset the mark posting a time of 54.10 in her preliminary race the NCAA Midwest Regional.
Alean Frawley experienced highs and lows during her junior season. The brightest moment of her season also occurred at the Iowa Musco Twilight Meet on May 3, when Frawley broke a 12-year-old record in the shot put with a throw of 53-3. Six days later, she bettered the record with a throw of 53-5 1/2. Frawley was poised to contend for a Big Ten title and make her first career NCAA appearance, but it was not to be. The week of the Big Ten Outdoor Championships, Frawley suffered a back injury while lifting weights and was forced to miss the remainder of the season.
The two Gopher pole vaulters enjoyed competing against each other for the school record. Senior Erica Findlay set the ball rolling by bettering her own indoor record by clearing 12-6 on Feb. 22. Junior Monica Stearns claimed the record and a second-place finish at the Big Ten Indoor Championships less than two weeks later when she cleared 12-10.
The outdoor pole vault record is shared by the duo with a height of 12-6. Findlay first set the record in 2001 and Stearns equalled the mark at the Drake Relays this season.
All told, 15 school records were broken during the 2003 seasons.
The Gophers posted a seventh-place showing at the Big Ten Indoor Championships and a ninth-place finish at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships. Despite the team finish, a highlight of the 2003 outdoor season was Minnesota's hosting of the Big Ten Outdoor Championships.
Marks the National Runner-Up in Triple Jump
Minnesota senior Shani Marks placed second in the triple jump, earning All-America honors at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Sacramento, Calif.
Marks was extremely close to capturing the first national title in Golden Gopher women's track & field history. Marks landed her best leap of the competition at 45-0 1/2 on her first attempt of Saturday's final. Marks' lead held until only one competitor remained, Nebraska's Ineta Radevica. Radevica snagged the national title on her final jump with an effort of 45-8 1/2.
Marks is the seventh Gopher to place second in an event at the NCAA Championships. She ends her Minnesota career as a three-time triple jump All-American.
LSU scored 64 points to win the title with Texas placing second with 50 points. Minnesota tied for 33rd place with 8 points.
Marks Earns Academic All-America Acclaim
Minnesota's Shani Marks was named to the Verizon Academic All-America First Team for Women's Track & Field/Cross Country and from that team, its Academic All-American of the Year. Marks is the 19th Golden Gopher to garner Academic All-America First-Team honors, and joins men's swimmers Bernie Zeruhn (1996) and John Cahoy (1999) to be honored with Academic All-American of the Year acclaim in their sport.
Marks, a fifth-year senior, has already graduated with both a bachelor's and master's degree in kinesiology and completed one of the most highly decorated track & field career in Gopher women's track & field history. She achieved a perfect 4.0 grade-point-average in her graduate studies. Marks recently placed second in the triple jump at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, claiming her third All-America citation in the event. During the season, she captured the Drake Relays and Big Ten Outdoor Championships triple jump titles. Her best jump this season - 45 feet, 3 inches - set a new Minnesota and Big Ten Conference record and was the best leap by an American collegian this season.
"Shani is certainly deserving of such a magnificent award," said Golden Gopher head women's track & field coach Gary Wilson. "Shani brings the term 'student-athlete' to life. She's a wonderful representative for the University of Minnesota. We are extremely proud of her."
Shani Marks Leads Gopher Women at Big Tens
Senior Shani Marks set the Big Ten Championships record with a leap of 44 feet, 11 inches, taking the Big Ten title in the final day of competition at Minnesota's Bierman Field on May 19. The previous Big Ten record had been held by Christine Gulbrandson, also of Minnesota, who jumped 43-9 3/4 in 2000. Marks currently holds the top distance in the nation and the all-time Big Ten record in the event with a mark of 45-3 set at the Drake Relays earlier this season.
Marks ran to a pair of second-place finishes in addition to her title. Michigan's Vera Simms edged Marks in the 400-meter hurdles for the second consecutive year, clocking in at 58.78 seconds to top Marks' time of 59.27. Minnesota's Melissa Steele ran a 61.11 to earn fifth.
Marks also ran on the 4x400 relay that placed second to Iowa. Lisa Mickelson, Marks, Rachel Schutz and Kou Luogon finished in 3:40.41 to Iowa's 3:38.95. Minnesota came into the meet with the top time and school record of 3:40.28, which they ran at the Drake Relays. Minnesota took the indoor Big Ten title this year, earning the first indoor relay title in Minnesota history.
Mickelson and Luogon competed individually in the 400 meters. Luogon took third with a time of 54.68, and Mickelson ran a 55.96 to place fifth. Shellene Williams of Iowa won the event with a time of 53.58.
Melissa Woltman, Marks, Elizabeth Woolford and Majik Reed comprised the 4x100 relay that placed fifth with a time of 45.80. Indiana won the event for the fourth consecutive year with all four athletes returning to clock in at 44.06.
In the discus, Nicole Kopari and Jessica Stephan advanced to finals. Kopari threw a 148-4 for eighth place. Stephan finished ninth with her mark of 147-8.
As a team, Minnesota placed ninth with 47 points. Defending champion Michigan won with 137 points.
Following is a complete list of the Golden Gopher scorers in the Big Ten Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
First Place (10 points) Triple Jump Shani Marks 44-11 Second Place (8 points) 400m Hurdles Shani Marks 59.27 4x400m Relay Lisa Mickelson, Shani Marks 3:40.41 Rachel Schutz, Kou Luogon Third Place (6 points) 400m Kou Luogon 54.68 Fifth Place (4 points) 400m Lisa Mickelson 55.96 4x100m Relay Melissa Woltman, Shani Marks 45.80 Elizabeth Woolford, Majik Reed Seventh Place (2 points) Pole Vault Erica Findlay 12-0 Eighth Place (1 point) Discus Nicole Kopari 148-4
Marks Places Sixth at NCAA Indoor Meet
Shani Marks earned All-America honors with a sixth-place finish in the triple jump in the NCAA Women's Indoor Track and Field Championships in Fayetteville Ark. Marks landed a mark of 43 feet, 10 inches on her final jump of the competition to collect her second career All-America honor in the event. Auburn senior Elva Goulborne won the title with a leap of 45-2 1/2.
Relay Tops Gophers' Performance at Big Ten Indoor
Minnesota saved its best for last in the 2003 Big Ten Indoor Track & Field Championships in Bloomington, Ind. The Golden Gophers' 4x400-meter relay of Lisa Mickelson, Shani Marks, Rachel Schutz and Kou Luogon make Minnesota history by winning the Gophers' first conference relay title in a time of 3 minutes, 46.22 seconds in the meet's final event.
Michigan captured the team title with 129.5 points with Indiana second at 115 points. Minnesota scored 61.5 points for seventh place but in a tight battle in the middle of the pack, finished just 7.5 points from fourth place.
The Gophers had two individuals garner second-place finishes. Marks was the runner-up in the triple jump but bettered her own Minnesota record with a leap of 43 feet, 11 1/4 inches. Junior Monica Stearns cleared 12-10 in the pole vault to place second and set another school record.
Minnesota posted a strong showing in the 400-meters with Luogon, running in her first Big Ten Championships, placing third a time of 56.05 and Lisa Mickelson fourth in 56.47.
Following is a complete list of the Golden Gopher scorers in the Big Ten Indoor Track & Field Championships.
First Place (10 points) 4x400m Relay Lisa Mickelson, Shani Marks 3:46.22 Rachel Schutz, Kou Luogon Second Place (8 points) Triple Jump Shani Marks 43-11 1/4 600m Shani Marks 1:32.61 Pole Vault Monica Stearns 12-10 Third Place (6 points) 400m Kou Luogon 56.05 Fourth Place (5 points) 400m Lisa Mickelson 56.47 Distance Medley Carly Emil, Amber Day 11:51.32 Tanna-Marie Simmons, Darja Vasiljeva Fifth Place (due to 4-way tie for fifth place 2.5 points were awarded) Pole Vault Erica Findlay 11-11 3/4 Sixth Place (3 points) Shot Put Alean Frawley 50-6 600m Rachel Schutz 1:33.84 Eighth Place (1 point) 60m hurdles Liz Woolford 8.77 200m Majik Reed 24.89 Triple Jump Saree Zweifel 39-1
2003 Honors List
Verizon Academic All-American of the Year: Shani Marks Big Ten Medal of Honor: Shani Marks Verizon Academic All-America First Team: Shani Marks NCAA All-America: Shani Marks, triple jump indoor (6th) and outdoor (2nd) Big Ten Champions: 4x400m Relay (indoor) - Lisa Mickelson, Shani Marks, Rachel Schutz, Kou Luogon Triple Jump (outdoor) - Shani Marks All-Big Ten First Team: See Big Ten Champions All-Big Ten Second Team: Monica Stearns (pole vault, indoor) Shani Marks (600m indoor, triple jump indoor, 400m hurdles outdoor) 4x400m Relay (outdoor) - Lisa Mickelson, Shani Marks, Rachel Schutz, Kou Luogon Academic All-Big Ten: Laura Bjork, Nadine Conboy, Amber Day, Allyson DeVries, Jill Field, Erica Findlay, Alean Frawley, Sarah Hesser, Paula Hoffert, Megan Johnson, Nicole Kopari, Rachel Kuhn, Kimberly Magee, Shani Marks, Allison Mumbleau, Zoe Nagell, Rachel Schutz, Tanna-Marie Simmons, Monica Stearns, Jessie Syfko, Nicole Terlouw, Daria Vasiljeva, Sarah Zweifel The 2003 Season - Meet-by-Meet Review
* - Denotes New School Record
Jan. 11 - Northwest Open Minneapolis, Minn. No team scores. Minnesota event champions: Shani Marks, triple jump, 43-1 1/2* Alean Frawley, shot put, 50-2 3/4 Amber Day, 60m, 7.84 Elizabeth Woolford, 60m hurdles, 9.00 Rachel Schutz, 400m, 58.00 Lisa Mickelson, 600m, 1:36.00 4x400m Relay (Woolford, Shuster, Marks, DeVries), 3:54.37 Jan. 18 - Minnesota Open Minneapolis, Minn. No team scores. Minnesota event champions: Alean Frawley, shot put, 50-10 Erica Findlay, pole vault, 11-6 Amber Day, 60m, 7.71; 200m, 25.72 Lisa Mickelson, 400m, 57.31 Shani Marks, 600m, 1:34.06 4x400m Relay (DeVries, Marks, Mickelson, Schutz), 3:49.26 Jan. 25 - Minnesota Gold Country Classic Minneapolis, Minn. Team Scores: 1. Minnesota 144; 2. Iowa 105; 3. South Dakota State 42; 4. North Dakota State 39. Minnesota event champions: Shani Marks, triple jump, 42-4 1/4 Alean Frawley, shot put, 52-4 Sara Clinkenbeard, weight throw, 53-8 1/4 4x400m Relay (Mickelson, DeVries, Day, R. Schutz), 3:50.8 Allyson DeVries, 600m, 1:35.75 Majik Reek, 200m, 25.13 Kou Luogon, 400m, 57.62 Feb. 1 - Panther Classic Cedar Falls, Iowa No team scores. Minnesota event champions: 4x400m Relay (Mickelson, Marks, R. Schutz, Luogon), 3:49.25 Shani Marks, 400m, 56.20 Majik Reed, 200m, 25.13 Darja Vasiljeva, 3,000m, 9:51.12 Feb. 8 - Minnesota, Mankato Open Mankato, Minn. No team scores. Minnesota event champions: Melissa Woltman, 200m, 25.15 Lisa Mickelson, 400m, 56.93 Feb. 14-15 - Iowa State Cyclone Classic Ames, Iowa No team scores. Minnesota event champions: Shani Marks, triple jump, 43-8* Feb. 22 - Parents' Day Open Minneapolis, Minn. No team scores. Minnesota event champions: Erica Findlay, pole vault, 12-6* Amanda Sullivan, high jump, 5-3 3/4 Alean Frawley, shot put, 51-10 3/4 Sara Clinkenbeard, weight throw, 56-2 Saree Zweifel, triple jump, 36-6 3/4 Kou Luogon, 300m, 39.42 Melissa Woltman, 60m, 7.64 Liz Woolford, 60m hurdles, 8.83 Tanna-Marie Simmons, 1,000m, 3:00.68 Shani Marks, 600m, 1:31.98 March 1-2 - Big Ten Indoor Championships Bloomington, Ind. Team Scores: 1. Michigan 129.5; 2. Indiana 115; 3. Penn State 87; 4. Ohio State 69; 5. Wisconsin 68; 6. Illinois 65; 7. Minnesota 61.5; 8. Purdue 50; 9. Iowa 29.5; 10. Michigan State 27.5 Minnesota event champions: 4x400m Relay (Mickelson, Marks, R. Schutz, Kou Luogon), 3:46.22 Other school-record performances: Monica Stearns, pole vault, second, 12-10* Shani Marks, triple jump, second, 43-11 1/4* March 8 - NCAA Qualifying Meet Ames, Iowa No team scores. Minnesota event champions: None March 14-15 - NCAA Indoor Championships Fayetteville, Ark. Team Scores: 1. LSU 62; 2(tie). South Carolina 44, Florida 44; 8. Indiana 24; 21. Penn State 8; t27. Illinois 6; t40. Minnesota 3; t43. Wisconsin 2 (53 teams scored) Minnesota event champions: None Minnesota competitors: Shani Marks, triple jump, sixth, 43-10, All-America March 21-22 - Baldy Castillo Inv. Tempe, Ariz. No team scores. Minnesota event champions: None March 22 - Willie Williams Classic Tucson, Ariz. No team scores. Minnesota event champions: Alean Frawley, shot put, 51-7 1/4 Kou Luogon, 400m, 54.98 Darja Vasiljeva, 5,000m, 17:34.33 April 4-5 - Duke Inv. Durham, N.C. No team scores. Minnesota event champions: None April 11-12 - Oregon Pepsi Classic Eugene, Ore. Team Scores: 1. Oregon 24; 2. Minnesota 172; 3. Washington 149; 4. Colorado 100 Minnesota event champions: Shani Marks, triple jump, 44-10 1/4* Alean Frawley, shot put, 50-9 1/2 4x100m Relay (Woltman, Marks, Woolford, Reed), 45.91 4x400m Relay (Marks, R. Schutz, Mickelson, Luogon), 3:46.69 Melissa Woltman, 100m, 12.00 Majik Reed, 200m, 24.30 Shani Marks, 400m hurdles, 59.56 April 12 - St. Thomas Inv. St. Paul, Minn. No team scores. Minnesota event champions: Sarah Hesser, 10,000m, 39:03.86 Allison Mumbleau, 5,000m, 18:30.79 April 18 - Pomona-Pitzer Inv. Claremont, Calif. No team scores. Minnesota event champions: None April 19 - Northern Iowa Open Cedar Falls, Iowa No team scores. Minnesota event champions: None April 24-26 - Drake Relays Des Moines, Iowa No team scores. Minnesota event champions: Shani Marks, triple jump, 45-3* Other school record performances: 4x400m Relay (Mickelson, Marks, R. Schutz, Luogon), prelims, 3:41.51 4x400m Relay (Mickelson, Marks, R. Schutz, Luogon), fifth, 3:40.28 Monica Stearns, pole vault, 11th, 12-6 (ties record) April 26 - Macalester Inv. St. Paul, Minn. No team scores. Minnesota event champions: Allison Mumbleau, 10,000m, 39:19.48 Nadine Conboy, 400m hurdles; 1:05.11 Emily Bastyr, high jump, 5-3 3/4, 1.63m Amy Netland, shot put, 44-0 3/4, 13.43m Jessica Stephan, hammer, 50.88m April 30 - Tommie Twilight Meet St. Paul, Minn. No team scores. Minnesota event champions: Sharyl Schutz, 100m hurdles, 15.19 May 3 - Iowa Musco Twilight Meet Iowa City, Iowa Team results: 1. Minnesota 159.5; 2. Illinois 138; 3. Iowa 135; 4. 4. Iowa State 63; 5. Drake 49.5; 6. Wisconsin 48; 7. Northern Iowa 44; 8. Lincoln 38; 9. Illinois State 21 Minnesota event champions: Alean Frawley, shot put, 53-3* Shani Marks, 400m hurdles, 58.53 Other school record performances: Kou Luogon, 400m, third, 54.45* May 9 - Minnesota Qualifier Minneapolis, Minn. No team scores. Minnesota event champions: Alean Frawley, shot put, 53-5 1/2* Liz Woolford, 200m, 25.11 Lisa Mickelson, 400m, 56.72 Carly Emil, 800m, 2:19.39 Amy Lindner, 1,500m, 4:53.01 Sharyl Schutz, 100m hurdles, 14.66 Nadine Conboy, 400m hurdles, 65.86 Saree Zweifel, triple jump, 40-2 Nicole Kopari, discus, 159-0 Alean Frawley, hammer, 169-5 Emily Bastyr, high jump, 5-3 3/4 Monica Stearns, pole vault, 11-6 May 16-18 - Big Ten Outdoor Championships Minneapolis, Minn. Team results: 1. Michigan 137; t2. Indiana 124; t2. Penn State 124; 4. Ohio State 83; 5. Wisconsin 74; 6. Iowa 70; 7. Illinois 66; 8. Purdue 49; 9. Minnesota 47; 10. Michigan State 45. Minnesota event champions: Shani Marks, triple jump, 44-11 May 30-31 - NCAA Midwest Regional Lincoln, Neb. Team results: 1. Nebraska 103; 2. Texas 96; 3. Kansas State 53; 26. Minnesota 6 (36 teams scored) Minnesota event champions: None Other school record performances: Kou Luogon, 400m, 54.10, prelims 4x400m Relay (Mickelson, Marks, R. Schutz, Luogon), 3:38.59, prelims June 11-14 - NCAA Outdoor Championships Sacramento, Calif. Team results: 1. LSU 64; 2. Texas 50; 3. South Carolina 47; 6. Indiana 32; 10. Penn State 24; t22. Illinois 12; t33. Minnesota 8; t49. Michigan 4; t55. Wisconsin 3 (67 teams scored) Minnesota event champions: None Minnesota competitors: Shani Marks, triple jump, second, 45-0 1/2, All-America The Season in Review
If a highlight reel were created for the 2003 Minnesota indoor and outdoor women's track & field seasons, several disciplines of the Golden Gopher team would be included. The best moments would be provided by a triple jumper, a shot putter, two pole vaulters and a bunch of talented 400-meter runners.
In the end, brilliant careers would be completed, other new ones begun and still others would see their hard work and dedication pay off in top finishes and records.
Senior Shani Marks placed her finishing touches on a spectacular Minnesota career and goes down in the books as one of the most highly decorated track & field athletes in Gopher history. Marks rewrote the record books in the triple jump five times en route to earning both indoor and outdoor All-America honors.
Marks would end her career by placing second at the NCAA Championships, joining a list of seven Gopher athletes to garner national runner-up honors. The two-year Gopher captain was so very close to becoming the first national champion in Minnesota women's track & field history, but a great effort by a Nebraska jumper in her final jump snagged the title from Marks' grasp.
Marks did capture titles in the event at the Drake Relays and the Big Ten Outdoor Championships. Her winning leap of 45 feet, 3 inches at Drake not only stands as the new Minnesota record, but was also the best jump by an American collegian this season.
During the indoor season, Marks notched All-America honors with a sixth-place finish at the NCAA Indoor Championships.
Obviously talented athletically, Marks also earned national recognition academically. She earned Verizon Academic All-America First Team honors and was recognized as that honor squad's Academic All-American of the Year. Marks was also one of Minnesota's recipients of the Big Ten Medal of Honor.
Marks' talented extended further than just the triple jump. She was the 2003 Big Ten runner-up in the 600-meters indoors and the 400-meter hurdles outdoors but it was in a team event, the 4x400-meter relay, that Marks was part of something special on the track.
The 4x400-meter relay brought together four talented sprinters to make Gopher history. The foursome of Lisa Michelson, Marks, Rachel Schutz and Kou Luogon ran to the Big Ten indoor title, marking the first conference relay crown in Minnesota history.
The relay gained strength as the outdoor season wore on. The group broke the school record not once but twice while placing fifth at the prestigious Drake Relays. The record would be rewritten one more time in their final race of the season when the relay posted a time of 3 minutes, 38.59 seconds at the NCAA Midwest Regional.
The anchor leg of the 4x400-meter relay, freshman Kou Luogon, ran to individual honors in the 400-meter dash during the season. Luogon ran a time of 54.45 at the Iowa Musco Twilight Meet to break the Gopher school record that had stood for 27 years in the event. Luogon reset the mark posting a time of 54.10 in her preliminary race the NCAA Midwest Regional.
Alean Frawley experienced highs and lows during her junior season. The brightest moment of her season also occurred at the Iowa Musco Twilight Meet on May 3, when Frawley broke a 12-year-old record in the shot put with a throw of 53-3. Six days later, she bettered the record with a throw of 53-5 1/2. Frawley was poised to contend for a Big Ten title and make her first career NCAA appearance, but it was not to be. The week of the Big Ten Outdoor Championships, Frawley suffered a back injury while lifting weights and was forced to miss the remainder of the season.
The two Gopher pole vaulters enjoyed competing against each other for the school record. Senior Erica Findlay set the ball rolling by bettering her own indoor record by clearing 12-6 on Feb. 22. Junior Monica Stearns claimed the record and a second-place finish at the Big Ten Indoor Championships less than two weeks later when she cleared 12-10.
The outdoor pole vault record is shared by the duo with a height of 12-6. Findlay first set the record in 2001 and Stearns equalled the mark at the Drake Relays this season.
All told, 15 school records were broken during the 2003 seasons.
The Gophers posted a seventh-place showing at the Big Ten Indoor Championships and a ninth-place finish at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships. Despite the team finish, a highlight of the 2003 outdoor season was Minnesota's hosting of the Big Ten Outdoor Championships.
Marks the National Runner-Up in Triple Jump
Minnesota senior Shani Marks placed second in the triple jump, earning All-America honors at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Sacramento, Calif.
Marks was extremely close to capturing the first national title in Golden Gopher women's track & field history. Marks landed her best leap of the competition at 45-0 1/2 on her first attempt of Saturday's final. Marks' lead held until only one competitor remained, Nebraska's Ineta Radevica. Radevica snagged the national title on her final jump with an effort of 45-8 1/2.
Marks is the seventh Gopher to place second in an event at the NCAA Championships. She ends her Minnesota career as a three-time triple jump All-American.
LSU scored 64 points to win the title with Texas placing second with 50 points. Minnesota tied for 33rd place with 8 points.
Marks Earns Academic All-America Acclaim
Minnesota's Shani Marks was named to the Verizon Academic All-America First Team for Women's Track & Field/Cross Country and from that team, its Academic All-American of the Year. Marks is the 19th Golden Gopher to garner Academic All-America First-Team honors, and joins men's swimmers Bernie Zeruhn (1996) and John Cahoy (1999) to be honored with Academic All-American of the Year acclaim in their sport.
Marks, a fifth-year senior, has already graduated with both a bachelor's and master's degree in kinesiology and completed one of the most highly decorated track & field career in Gopher women's track & field history. She achieved a perfect 4.0 grade-point-average in her graduate studies. Marks recently placed second in the triple jump at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, claiming her third All-America citation in the event. During the season, she captured the Drake Relays and Big Ten Outdoor Championships triple jump titles. Her best jump this season - 45 feet, 3 inches - set a new Minnesota and Big Ten Conference record and was the best leap by an American collegian this season.
"Shani is certainly deserving of such a magnificent award," said Golden Gopher head women's track & field coach Gary Wilson. "Shani brings the term 'student-athlete' to life. She's a wonderful representative for the University of Minnesota. We are extremely proud of her."
Shani Marks Leads Gopher Women at Big Tens
Senior Shani Marks set the Big Ten Championships record with a leap of 44 feet, 11 inches, taking the Big Ten title in the final day of competition at Minnesota's Bierman Field on May 19. The previous Big Ten record had been held by Christine Gulbrandson, also of Minnesota, who jumped 43-9 3/4 in 2000. Marks currently holds the top distance in the nation and the all-time Big Ten record in the event with a mark of 45-3 set at the Drake Relays earlier this season.
Marks ran to a pair of second-place finishes in addition to her title. Michigan's Vera Simms edged Marks in the 400-meter hurdles for the second consecutive year, clocking in at 58.78 seconds to top Marks' time of 59.27. Minnesota's Melissa Steele ran a 61.11 to earn fifth.
Marks also ran on the 4x400 relay that placed second to Iowa. Lisa Mickelson, Marks, Rachel Schutz and Kou Luogon finished in 3:40.41 to Iowa's 3:38.95. Minnesota came into the meet with the top time and school record of 3:40.28, which they ran at the Drake Relays. Minnesota took the indoor Big Ten title this year, earning the first indoor relay title in Minnesota history.
Mickelson and Luogon competed individually in the 400 meters. Luogon took third with a time of 54.68, and Mickelson ran a 55.96 to place fifth. Shellene Williams of Iowa won the event with a time of 53.58.
Melissa Woltman, Marks, Elizabeth Woolford and Majik Reed comprised the 4x100 relay that placed fifth with a time of 45.80. Indiana won the event for the fourth consecutive year with all four athletes returning to clock in at 44.06.
In the discus, Nicole Kopari and Jessica Stephan advanced to finals. Kopari threw a 148-4 for eighth place. Stephan finished ninth with her mark of 147-8.
As a team, Minnesota placed ninth with 47 points. Defending champion Michigan won with 137 points.
Following is a complete list of the Golden Gopher scorers in the Big Ten Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
First Place (10 points) Triple Jump Shani Marks 44-11 Second Place (8 points) 400m Hurdles Shani Marks 59.27 4x400m Relay Lisa Mickelson, Shani Marks 3:40.41 Rachel Schutz, Kou Luogon Third Place (6 points) 400m Kou Luogon 54.68 Fifth Place (4 points) 400m Lisa Mickelson 55.96 4x100m Relay Melissa Woltman, Shani Marks 45.80 Elizabeth Woolford, Majik Reed Seventh Place (2 points) Pole Vault Erica Findlay 12-0 Eighth Place (1 point) Discus Nicole Kopari 148-4
Marks Places Sixth at NCAA Indoor Meet
Shani Marks earned All-America honors with a sixth-place finish in the triple jump in the NCAA Women's Indoor Track and Field Championships in Fayetteville Ark. Marks landed a mark of 43 feet, 10 inches on her final jump of the competition to collect her second career All-America honor in the event. Auburn senior Elva Goulborne won the title with a leap of 45-2 1/2.
Relay Tops Gophers' Performance at Big Ten Indoor
Minnesota saved its best for last in the 2003 Big Ten Indoor Track & Field Championships in Bloomington, Ind. The Golden Gophers' 4x400-meter relay of Lisa Mickelson, Shani Marks, Rachel Schutz and Kou Luogon make Minnesota history by winning the Gophers' first conference relay title in a time of 3 minutes, 46.22 seconds in the meet's final event.
Michigan captured the team title with 129.5 points with Indiana second at 115 points. Minnesota scored 61.5 points for seventh place but in a tight battle in the middle of the pack, finished just 7.5 points from fourth place.
The Gophers had two individuals garner second-place finishes. Marks was the runner-up in the triple jump but bettered her own Minnesota record with a leap of 43 feet, 11 1/4 inches. Junior Monica Stearns cleared 12-10 in the pole vault to place second and set another school record.
Minnesota posted a strong showing in the 400-meters with Luogon, running in her first Big Ten Championships, placing third a time of 56.05 and Lisa Mickelson fourth in 56.47.
Following is a complete list of the Golden Gopher scorers in the Big Ten Indoor Track & Field Championships.
First Place (10 points) 4x400m Relay Lisa Mickelson, Shani Marks 3:46.22 Rachel Schutz, Kou Luogon Second Place (8 points) Triple Jump Shani Marks 43-11 1/4 600m Shani Marks 1:32.61 Pole Vault Monica Stearns 12-10 Third Place (6 points) 400m Kou Luogon 56.05 Fourth Place (5 points) 400m Lisa Mickelson 56.47 Distance Medley Carly Emil, Amber Day 11:51.32 Tanna-Marie Simmons, Darja Vasiljeva Fifth Place (due to 4-way tie for fifth place 2.5 points were awarded) Pole Vault Erica Findlay 11-11 3/4 Sixth Place (3 points) Shot Put Alean Frawley 50-6 600m Rachel Schutz 1:33.84 Eighth Place (1 point) 60m hurdles Liz Woolford 8.77 200m Majik Reed 24.89 Triple Jump Saree Zweifel 39-1
2003 Honors List
Verizon Academic All-American of the Year: Shani Marks Big Ten Medal of Honor: Shani Marks Verizon Academic All-America First Team: Shani Marks NCAA All-America: Shani Marks, triple jump indoor (6th) and outdoor (2nd) Big Ten Champions: 4x400m Relay (indoor) - Lisa Mickelson, Shani Marks, Rachel Schutz, Kou Luogon Triple Jump (outdoor) - Shani Marks All-Big Ten First Team: See Big Ten Champions All-Big Ten Second Team: Monica Stearns (pole vault, indoor) Shani Marks (600m indoor, triple jump indoor, 400m hurdles outdoor) 4x400m Relay (outdoor) - Lisa Mickelson, Shani Marks, Rachel Schutz, Kou Luogon Academic All-Big Ten: Laura Bjork, Nadine Conboy, Amber Day, Allyson DeVries, Jill Field, Erica Findlay, Alean Frawley, Sarah Hesser, Paula Hoffert, Megan Johnson, Nicole Kopari, Rachel Kuhn, Kimberly Magee, Shani Marks, Allison Mumbleau, Zoe Nagell, Rachel Schutz, Tanna-Marie Simmons, Monica Stearns, Jessie Syfko, Nicole Terlouw, Daria Vasiljeva, Sarah Zweifel The 2003 Season - Meet-by-Meet Review
* - Denotes New School Record
Jan. 11 - Northwest Open Minneapolis, Minn. No team scores. Minnesota event champions: Shani Marks, triple jump, 43-1 1/2* Alean Frawley, shot put, 50-2 3/4 Amber Day, 60m, 7.84 Elizabeth Woolford, 60m hurdles, 9.00 Rachel Schutz, 400m, 58.00 Lisa Mickelson, 600m, 1:36.00 4x400m Relay (Woolford, Shuster, Marks, DeVries), 3:54.37 Jan. 18 - Minnesota Open Minneapolis, Minn. No team scores. Minnesota event champions: Alean Frawley, shot put, 50-10 Erica Findlay, pole vault, 11-6 Amber Day, 60m, 7.71; 200m, 25.72 Lisa Mickelson, 400m, 57.31 Shani Marks, 600m, 1:34.06 4x400m Relay (DeVries, Marks, Mickelson, Schutz), 3:49.26 Jan. 25 - Minnesota Gold Country Classic Minneapolis, Minn. Team Scores: 1. Minnesota 144; 2. Iowa 105; 3. South Dakota State 42; 4. North Dakota State 39. Minnesota event champions: Shani Marks, triple jump, 42-4 1/4 Alean Frawley, shot put, 52-4 Sara Clinkenbeard, weight throw, 53-8 1/4 4x400m Relay (Mickelson, DeVries, Day, R. Schutz), 3:50.8 Allyson DeVries, 600m, 1:35.75 Majik Reek, 200m, 25.13 Kou Luogon, 400m, 57.62 Feb. 1 - Panther Classic Cedar Falls, Iowa No team scores. Minnesota event champions: 4x400m Relay (Mickelson, Marks, R. Schutz, Luogon), 3:49.25 Shani Marks, 400m, 56.20 Majik Reed, 200m, 25.13 Darja Vasiljeva, 3,000m, 9:51.12 Feb. 8 - Minnesota, Mankato Open Mankato, Minn. No team scores. Minnesota event champions: Melissa Woltman, 200m, 25.15 Lisa Mickelson, 400m, 56.93 Feb. 14-15 - Iowa State Cyclone Classic Ames, Iowa No team scores. Minnesota event champions: Shani Marks, triple jump, 43-8* Feb. 22 - Parents' Day Open Minneapolis, Minn. No team scores. Minnesota event champions: Erica Findlay, pole vault, 12-6* Amanda Sullivan, high jump, 5-3 3/4 Alean Frawley, shot put, 51-10 3/4 Sara Clinkenbeard, weight throw, 56-2 Saree Zweifel, triple jump, 36-6 3/4 Kou Luogon, 300m, 39.42 Melissa Woltman, 60m, 7.64 Liz Woolford, 60m hurdles, 8.83 Tanna-Marie Simmons, 1,000m, 3:00.68 Shani Marks, 600m, 1:31.98 March 1-2 - Big Ten Indoor Championships Bloomington, Ind. Team Scores: 1. Michigan 129.5; 2. Indiana 115; 3. Penn State 87; 4. Ohio State 69; 5. Wisconsin 68; 6. Illinois 65; 7. Minnesota 61.5; 8. Purdue 50; 9. Iowa 29.5; 10. Michigan State 27.5 Minnesota event champions: 4x400m Relay (Mickelson, Marks, R. Schutz, Kou Luogon), 3:46.22 Other school-record performances: Monica Stearns, pole vault, second, 12-10* Shani Marks, triple jump, second, 43-11 1/4* March 8 - NCAA Qualifying Meet Ames, Iowa No team scores. Minnesota event champions: None March 14-15 - NCAA Indoor Championships Fayetteville, Ark. Team Scores: 1. LSU 62; 2(tie). South Carolina 44, Florida 44; 8. Indiana 24; 21. Penn State 8; t27. Illinois 6; t40. Minnesota 3; t43. Wisconsin 2 (53 teams scored) Minnesota event champions: None Minnesota competitors: Shani Marks, triple jump, sixth, 43-10, All-America March 21-22 - Baldy Castillo Inv. Tempe, Ariz. No team scores. Minnesota event champions: None March 22 - Willie Williams Classic Tucson, Ariz. No team scores. Minnesota event champions: Alean Frawley, shot put, 51-7 1/4 Kou Luogon, 400m, 54.98 Darja Vasiljeva, 5,000m, 17:34.33 April 4-5 - Duke Inv. Durham, N.C. No team scores. Minnesota event champions: None April 11-12 - Oregon Pepsi Classic Eugene, Ore. Team Scores: 1. Oregon 24; 2. Minnesota 172; 3. Washington 149; 4. Colorado 100 Minnesota event champions: Shani Marks, triple jump, 44-10 1/4* Alean Frawley, shot put, 50-9 1/2 4x100m Relay (Woltman, Marks, Woolford, Reed), 45.91 4x400m Relay (Marks, R. Schutz, Mickelson, Luogon), 3:46.69 Melissa Woltman, 100m, 12.00 Majik Reed, 200m, 24.30 Shani Marks, 400m hurdles, 59.56 April 12 - St. Thomas Inv. St. Paul, Minn. No team scores. Minnesota event champions: Sarah Hesser, 10,000m, 39:03.86 Allison Mumbleau, 5,000m, 18:30.79 April 18 - Pomona-Pitzer Inv. Claremont, Calif. No team scores. Minnesota event champions: None April 19 - Northern Iowa Open Cedar Falls, Iowa No team scores. Minnesota event champions: None April 24-26 - Drake Relays Des Moines, Iowa No team scores. Minnesota event champions: Shani Marks, triple jump, 45-3* Other school record performances: 4x400m Relay (Mickelson, Marks, R. Schutz, Luogon), prelims, 3:41.51 4x400m Relay (Mickelson, Marks, R. Schutz, Luogon), fifth, 3:40.28 Monica Stearns, pole vault, 11th, 12-6 (ties record) April 26 - Macalester Inv. St. Paul, Minn. No team scores. Minnesota event champions: Allison Mumbleau, 10,000m, 39:19.48 Nadine Conboy, 400m hurdles; 1:05.11 Emily Bastyr, high jump, 5-3 3/4, 1.63m Amy Netland, shot put, 44-0 3/4, 13.43m Jessica Stephan, hammer, 50.88m April 30 - Tommie Twilight Meet St. Paul, Minn. No team scores. Minnesota event champions: Sharyl Schutz, 100m hurdles, 15.19 May 3 - Iowa Musco Twilight Meet Iowa City, Iowa Team results: 1. Minnesota 159.5; 2. Illinois 138; 3. Iowa 135; 4. 4. Iowa State 63; 5. Drake 49.5; 6. Wisconsin 48; 7. Northern Iowa 44; 8. Lincoln 38; 9. Illinois State 21 Minnesota event champions: Alean Frawley, shot put, 53-3* Shani Marks, 400m hurdles, 58.53 Other school record performances: Kou Luogon, 400m, third, 54.45* May 9 - Minnesota Qualifier Minneapolis, Minn. No team scores. Minnesota event champions: Alean Frawley, shot put, 53-5 1/2* Liz Woolford, 200m, 25.11 Lisa Mickelson, 400m, 56.72 Carly Emil, 800m, 2:19.39 Amy Lindner, 1,500m, 4:53.01 Sharyl Schutz, 100m hurdles, 14.66 Nadine Conboy, 400m hurdles, 65.86 Saree Zweifel, triple jump, 40-2 Nicole Kopari, discus, 159-0 Alean Frawley, hammer, 169-5 Emily Bastyr, high jump, 5-3 3/4 Monica Stearns, pole vault, 11-6 May 16-18 - Big Ten Outdoor Championships Minneapolis, Minn. Team results: 1. Michigan 137; t2. Indiana 124; t2. Penn State 124; 4. Ohio State 83; 5. Wisconsin 74; 6. Iowa 70; 7. Illinois 66; 8. Purdue 49; 9. Minnesota 47; 10. Michigan State 45. Minnesota event champions: Shani Marks, triple jump, 44-11 May 30-31 - NCAA Midwest Regional Lincoln, Neb. Team results: 1. Nebraska 103; 2. Texas 96; 3. Kansas State 53; 26. Minnesota 6 (36 teams scored) Minnesota event champions: None Other school record performances: Kou Luogon, 400m, 54.10, prelims 4x400m Relay (Mickelson, Marks, R. Schutz, Luogon), 3:38.59, prelims June 11-14 - NCAA Outdoor Championships Sacramento, Calif. Team results: 1. LSU 64; 2. Texas 50; 3. South Carolina 47; 6. Indiana 32; 10. Penn State 24; t22. Illinois 12; t33. Minnesota 8; t49. Michigan 4; t55. Wisconsin 3 (67 teams scored) Minnesota event champions: None Minnesota competitors: Shani Marks, triple jump, second, 45-0 1/2, All-America
Players Mentioned
