University of Minnesota Athletics
BLOG: Winter Sports Recap
4/10/2009 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
The University of Minnesota is quickly wrapping up the 2008-09 winter season as nine teams competed in the NCAA action. Of the nine, six competed in the final week of competition for their various sports. Along with the NCAA action, Minnesota garnered three conference championships over the course of the winter season. Only one sport is still in action with men’s gymnastics competing at the NCAA Championships, held at the Gophers’ home facility, the Minnesota Sports Pavilion, April 16-18.
For the first time since 2005, Minnesota had both basketball teams compete in March Madness. Men’s basketball finished the season with a 22-11 overall record and a 9-9 mark in Big Ten Conference play, finishing seventh in the Big Ten standings. Lawrence Westbrook led the Gophers in scoring, averaging 12.6 points per game. Westbrook was named to as an All-Big Ten honorable mention, while Damian Johnson was an All-Defensive Team selection. The women’s basketball team reached the second round of the NCAA tournament after defeating Notre Dame (79-71) and falling to Texas A & M (73-42) to end the season. The Gophers held a 20-12 overall record and an 11-7 mark in conference action to finish fifth in the Big Ten standings. Emily Fox was named to the All-Big Ten second team, while Ashley Ellis-Milan was coaches’ and media’s All-Big Ten third team.
Women’s hockey played in the final weekend of competition when the Gophers reached the Frozen Four for the first time since 2006. The women’s hockey team won the Western Collegiate Hockey Association regular season title with a 23-2-3 conference record. The Gophers defeated Boston College in the NCAA regional game to advance to the Frozen Four. Minnesota fell to Mercyhurst, 5-4 in the national semifinal game. On the season, the Gophers posted an overall record of 32-5-3. Melanie Gagnon and Monique Lamoureux were named second-team All-Americans, the first honor for both individuals.
Wrestling sent five individuals to the NCAA Championships with Jayson Ness finishing third overall for the Gophers’ highest finish. Minnesota tied for 14th overall as Ness, Zach Sanders and Tyler Safratowich earned All-America honors. The Gophers finished fifth at the Big Ten Championships. During the regular season the Gophers posted a dual record of 15-8 and went 5-4 in conference action.
Men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams each had a strong contingent of student athletes at their respective championships, both finishing 11th overall. Women’s swimming wrapped up their season first, garnering 10 All-America honors. For the second-straight year, Jillian Tyler finished as the national runner-up in the 100 breaststroke. At Big Tens, the Gophers finished second overall, while Jenny Shaughnessy was named the Swimmer of the Championship. The men’s program had nine swimmers earn All-America honors, including Curt Carlson, who was a four-time All-American. At the conference tournament, Minnesota finished third overall as Colin Lee-To earned the championship in the 100 breaststroke. With their third-place finish, Minnesota extended a streak of 21 consecutive years with a top three finish at the Big Ten Championships.
For the second-straight year, the women’s indoor track & field team finished 12th overall at NCAAs. Alicia Rue and Heather Dorniden earned top-three finishes to score for the Golden Gophers and earn All-America honors. The Gophers edged out Penn State by four points to earn their third-straight Big Ten title. On the men’s side, Minnesota finished 14th at the NCAA Championships with Hassan Mead and Chris Rombough placed fourth and seventh in the 3,000 meters. Prior to the NCAAs, men’s track & field won its second Big Ten title in program history and first since 1998, with Matt Fisher named the field athlete of the year and head coach Steve Plasencia being the coach of the year.
Women’s gymnastics finished their season at the NCAA North Central Region Championships in Iowa City, Iowa on April 4. The Gophers finished fifth overall with a score of 193.775. In the all around competition, Carmelina Carabajal was the top scorer for Minnesota with a 39.150, and tied for seventh place. In conference action, Minnesota was fourth overall with Carabajal winning the all around and the balance beam. Both Carabajal and Alexis Russell were named to the All-Big Ten team.
Although men’s hockey just missed NCAA action, the Gophers finished in the top half of the WCHA. The Gophers held an overall record of 17-13-7, while posting a conference record of 12-11-5 for fifth place. Ryan Stoa was named a first-team All-American as he led the league in scoring with 36 points. Freshman Jordan Schroeder was named the national rookie of the year.
As the Gophers enter the spring season, Minnesota has five sports ranked within their respective national polls. The Gopher baseball team started the season ranked 25th in the Baseball America poll and are now ranked 30th in the Collegiate Baseball Magazine. Women’s outdoor track & field is ranked 15th, while the men’s team is 23rd in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches’ Association. Rowing’s First Varsity Eight boat is ranked 18th overall in the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association/USRowing. Men’s tennis rounds out the Gophers’ ranked teams, sitting at 33rd in the ITA rankings.
Quotes from NCAA competitors:
Jamal Abu-Shamala, Senior, Men’s Basketball
“It was an overall great experience playing in the NCAA tournament. It was great to finally make the tournament and be a part of March Madness, but it was tough to have it end so suddenly. I wish I could have played in a few more tournaments, but it was nice to end my career finally playing in the Big Dance.”
Emily Fox, Senior, Women’s Basketball
"As a senior, going to the NCAA Tournament is so special. It’s what I strive for, what this team strives for, every year. It’s so special to me too because I get to show these young players what it’s all about. Hopefully they will be back many times down the road."
Melanie Gagnon, Senior Women’s Hockey, 2009 All-American
“The 2009 Women's Frozen Four at Boston University was quite an event. Unfortunately our hard work didn't get us past the semi-finals and we did not get a national championship ring, we came away with some great memories. The facility was very impressive and it was nice to see our logo and school name plastered all over the rink. We had a wonderful host with great facts about Boston and both the Patty Kazmaier award dinner and the welcome banquet were delicious and entertaining. Even though we left empty handed, our minds will forever be filled with great memories of teamwork, friends, laughs, and Boston!
Jenny Shaughnessy, Senior Women’s Swimming, 2009 All-American, Big Ten Champion
“Competing at NCAA's is truly an experience like no other. The meet represents the culmination of an entire season's worth of training, decision making, and team bonding. The excitement in the air is enough to bring out the best in each competitor. I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to experience the competition with my teammates and to represent the University of Minnesota.”
Anthony Portela, Senior Men’s Swimming, 2009 All-American
“NCAA's is when you finally get to prove to nation how strong of a team you have. Your season record doesn't matter anymore. It’s the one meet where you know everybody is shaved, tapered, and trying to win. After thousands of hours of practicing, training, and traveling, the races come down to hundredths, tenths, and seconds. The enormity of talent under one roof was an adrenaline rush in its self.
Heather Dorniden, Senior Women’s Track & Field, 2009 All-American
"When given the opportunity to compete against the best of the very best of collegiate athletes, one can only expect to perform to the best of his or her abilities. I am so grateful to have had the opportunities at NCAA Championships in both cross country and track, to be challenged by fellow competitors and to find out what I’m made of. It is a great honor to compete at a national meet. No matter where you finish, you know you were a part of something special, simply by making it there."
