University of Minnesota Athletics
Hassan Mead Wins Big Ten Cross Country Title
11/3/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country
Hassan Mead won the individual title at the Big Ten Men’s Cross Country Championships on Sunday in Ann Arbor, Mich. Mead and third-place finisher Chris Rombough led the Golden Gophers to a third-place finish in the team title chase.
Mead covered the 8-kilometer course at the University of Michigan Golf Course in a time of 24 minutes, 26.4 seconds, winning the crown that so narrowly escaped the Gopher harrier a year ago by over nine seconds in this his sophomore season. He placed second in 2007 as a true freshman, and led a good share of the race before being edged out in the final stretch.
“Winning the title feels great,” said Mead, a Minneapolis South High School grad. “This was one of my goals on the season so I’m really happy I accomplished it. I ran a relaxed race. I made my move at about the 5K and went all the way.”
“Hassan moved into the lead going up the last big major hill and just continued to build a gap on the next runner,” said Plasencia. “Hassan just continues to add to his savvy as a runner. He’s able to build off his success. It’s exciting for us that Hassan is so talented and is just a sophomore. He has great days ahead of him.”
Rombough added the third-place finish in a time of 24:42.1. The Gopher senior completed his Big Ten cross country career with three top-five finishes at the Conference meet.
Mead is the fifth Gopher to win the Big Ten title and the second in three years as teammate Rombough captured Big Ten medalist honors in 2006. Gary Bjorklund won his third straight crown in 1971. Other Minnesota champions were Fred Watson (1913-15) and Leonard Edelen in 1957.
Wisconsin continued its dominance in collecting its 10th straight Big Ten title. The Badgers landed all five of their scoring runners in the top 14 to score 40 points. Michigan was second with 57, edging Minnesota (60) for runner-up honors.
“Our guys ran well today,” said Golden Gopher head coach Steve Plasenica. “We did a nice job of tightening up our pack. Though we placed third as a team, points-wise we were closer to Wisconsin than we did last year when we placed second.”
Matt Barrett has battled injury throughout his career, but turned in his best performance as a Gopher on Sunday placing 15th, just one spot from All-Big Ten honors, in a time of 25:01.4. Barrett’s effort caught Plasencia’s attention. “As happy as I am for Hassan, I’m also pleased for Matt. He’s fought hard and he’s starting to put it all together.”
Mike Torchia finished 16th with a time of 25:03.3, while Ben Blankenship completed the Gophers’ scoring five by finishing 26th in 25:16.3. Also competing were Sean Olson (32nd, 25:26.3), Mike McFarland (42nd, 25:33.0), Ben Puhl (46th, 25:36.5) and Ben Kampf (56th, 25:47.1).
No. 20 Minnesota will now prepare for the 2008 NCAA Midwest Region Championships, set for Nov. 15 in Stillwater, Okla.
Mead covered the 8-kilometer course at the University of Michigan Golf Course in a time of 24 minutes, 26.4 seconds, winning the crown that so narrowly escaped the Gopher harrier a year ago by over nine seconds in this his sophomore season. He placed second in 2007 as a true freshman, and led a good share of the race before being edged out in the final stretch.
“Winning the title feels great,” said Mead, a Minneapolis South High School grad. “This was one of my goals on the season so I’m really happy I accomplished it. I ran a relaxed race. I made my move at about the 5K and went all the way.”
“Hassan moved into the lead going up the last big major hill and just continued to build a gap on the next runner,” said Plasencia. “Hassan just continues to add to his savvy as a runner. He’s able to build off his success. It’s exciting for us that Hassan is so talented and is just a sophomore. He has great days ahead of him.”
Rombough added the third-place finish in a time of 24:42.1. The Gopher senior completed his Big Ten cross country career with three top-five finishes at the Conference meet.
Mead is the fifth Gopher to win the Big Ten title and the second in three years as teammate Rombough captured Big Ten medalist honors in 2006. Gary Bjorklund won his third straight crown in 1971. Other Minnesota champions were Fred Watson (1913-15) and Leonard Edelen in 1957.
Wisconsin continued its dominance in collecting its 10th straight Big Ten title. The Badgers landed all five of their scoring runners in the top 14 to score 40 points. Michigan was second with 57, edging Minnesota (60) for runner-up honors.
“Our guys ran well today,” said Golden Gopher head coach Steve Plasenica. “We did a nice job of tightening up our pack. Though we placed third as a team, points-wise we were closer to Wisconsin than we did last year when we placed second.”
Matt Barrett has battled injury throughout his career, but turned in his best performance as a Gopher on Sunday placing 15th, just one spot from All-Big Ten honors, in a time of 25:01.4. Barrett’s effort caught Plasencia’s attention. “As happy as I am for Hassan, I’m also pleased for Matt. He’s fought hard and he’s starting to put it all together.”
Mike Torchia finished 16th with a time of 25:03.3, while Ben Blankenship completed the Gophers’ scoring five by finishing 26th in 25:16.3. Also competing were Sean Olson (32nd, 25:26.3), Mike McFarland (42nd, 25:33.0), Ben Puhl (46th, 25:36.5) and Ben Kampf (56th, 25:47.1).
No. 20 Minnesota will now prepare for the 2008 NCAA Midwest Region Championships, set for Nov. 15 in Stillwater, Okla.
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