University of Minnesota Athletics
Blankenship Smashes Gopher Record in Mile
3/6/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Track & Field
Minnesota sophomore Ben Blankenship smashed the Golden Gopher school record in the mile run winning the title at the Washington Qualifier running a time of 3 minutes, 57.87 seconds. The time broke a 10 year-old record (Andrew McKessock, 4:02.56, 2000) and marks the first sub-4 minute mile in school history. Blankenship also collects an automatic berth into the NCAA Championships.
Blankenship, who captured the Big Ten title in the event a week ago, edged a pair of Oregon Ducks: one current – All-American A.J. Acousta – and one former All-American – Galen Rupp now running for Nike. Acousta ran a time of 3:58.08, while Rupp was clocked at 3:58.79.
The Gopher distance medley relay earned an NCAA provisional qualifying time of 9:33.86, the second-fastest time in school history, in placing fourth at the Notre Dame Alex Wilson Invitational. Making up the Minnesota relay was Andy Richardson, Logan Stroman, Harun Abda and Chris Rombough.
Abda was one of the two Gophers that turned in NCAA provisional performances in the 800-meter run. Travis Burkstand was 11th in 1:49.30, followed by Abda in 12th in 1:49.61.
The Gopher pole vaulters Ben Peterson and Joe Plencner completed at a third meet, the Iowa State Qualifier in Ames. Peterson won with a height of 17 feet, 1 3/4 inches. Plencner placed in a tie for fifth at 16-2.
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Blankenship, who captured the Big Ten title in the event a week ago, edged a pair of Oregon Ducks: one current – All-American A.J. Acousta – and one former All-American – Galen Rupp now running for Nike. Acousta ran a time of 3:58.08, while Rupp was clocked at 3:58.79.
The Gopher distance medley relay earned an NCAA provisional qualifying time of 9:33.86, the second-fastest time in school history, in placing fourth at the Notre Dame Alex Wilson Invitational. Making up the Minnesota relay was Andy Richardson, Logan Stroman, Harun Abda and Chris Rombough.
Abda was one of the two Gophers that turned in NCAA provisional performances in the 800-meter run. Travis Burkstand was 11th in 1:49.30, followed by Abda in 12th in 1:49.61.
The Gopher pole vaulters Ben Peterson and Joe Plencner completed at a third meet, the Iowa State Qualifier in Ames. Peterson won with a height of 17 feet, 1 3/4 inches. Plencner placed in a tie for fifth at 16-2.
Players Mentioned
MD
/ Men's Track & Field
MD
/ Men's Track & Field
PV
/ Men's Track & Field
PV
/ Men's Track & Field
MD
/ Men's Track & Field
DIS
/ Men's Track & FieldMD
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