University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Ranked 25th In Latest National Rankings
5/1/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Track & Field
May 1, 2012
The University of Minnesota men's track and field team has entered the latest national rankings at No. 25. Minnesota enters the latest USTFCCCA NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field rankings after a stellar performance over the weekend at both the Drake Relays and Payton Jordan Invitational.
Minnesota captured two titles at the 103rd Drake Relays (4x800 and DMR) in Des Moines, IA. Both relays consisted of Harun Abda, Travis Burkstrand, Nick Hutton and David Pachuta. The group's time in the 4x800 was timed at 7:19.02 and the DMR time was at 9:36.21, on the famous blue track inside Drake Stadium. The DMR set a new school record that was held since 1977, when head coach Steve Plasencia was a member of the relay. It was the second straight year that Minnesota won these same two relays at the Drake Relays.
Senior Hassan Mead broke a 38-year old record in the 10,000 meter run at the Payton Jordan Invitational late Sunday night, in Stanford, CA. Mead clocked in at 28:12.74, which shattered the old record (28:24.40) set by Gopher legend Garry Bjorklund in 1974. The Minneapolis native finished fourth among collegiate runners and 26th overall, which also qualifies him for this year's U.S Olympic Trials in June.
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