University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Ink Eight in Early Signing Period
11/17/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country
MINNEAPOLIS (Gophersports.com) - The University of Minnesota track & field and cross country program has signed eight future Gophers in this year's early signing period, Minnesota Director of Men's Track & Field and Cross Country Steve Plasencia announced on Friday morning.
Joining the Gophers starting in 2015-16 will be Connor Olson, Justin Hyytinen, Jonathan Tharaldsen, Shane Streich, Jonathon Johnson, Josh Tracy, Gemechu Godi and Jack Wellenstein.
"We're very excited about the signing class we have put together," Plasencia said. "All eight of them have had successful prep careers, and we're looking forward to seeing them compete in Maroon & Gold next season."
Connor Olson | Wayzata High School
Currently a senior at Wayzata, Olson won the 2014 Minnesota State Class AA Cross Country Championship and helped Wayzata to back-to-back state championships as a team in 2013 and 2014. Olson was the 2013 Minnesota Gatorade Boy's Cross Country Runner of the Year. He earned seventh place at the 2013 Nike Cross Nationals Heartland Regional championships, crossing the line 15:37. He also finished 34th at the 2013 Nike Cross Nationals Final in 15:36. A two-time First Team All-State selection, Olson took second at the Class AA state meet as a junior, crossing the line with a time of 15:17.4.
Justin Hyytinen | Farmington High School
A senior at Farmington High School, Hyytinen finished third in the 1,600 meters at the state meet as a junior in 2014 with a time of 4:14.93. He also finished third in the 4x400 meter relay and finished seventh in the 3,200 meters at the state meet. Hyytinen won three Missota Conference titles in 2014 -- the 1,600 meters with a time of 4:32.43 (his second-straight conference title in the event), the 3,200 meters with a time of 9:18.61 (a personal record) and the 4x400 meter relay with a time of 3:26.21.
Jonathan Tharaldsen | Bismarck High School
A three-sport athlete out of Bismarck High School in North Dakota, Tharaldsen threw for a mark of 63-04 ft. at the 2014 North Dakota State meet - the second best throw in state history. Tharaldsen was the 2013 and 2014 North Dakota State Champion in the shot put and is ranked fifth overall nationally amongst shot put throwers. In addition to his athletic success (he's also a member of Bismarck's football and basketball teams), Tharaldson maintains a 4.0 GPA.
Jonathon Johnson | Champlin Park High School
A long jumper out of Champlin Park High School, Johnson cleared 22-03.00 feet to win the 2014 Section 5AA title as a junior in 2014. Johnson also qualified for the 2014 Minnesota State Class AA meet. Johnson also competes for Champlin Park's boys' basketball program.
Shane Streich | Waseca High School
As a senior at Waseca High School, Streich won the 2014 Minnesota State Cross Country title with a time of 15:46 and led Waseca to a sixth-place finish after finishing as the runner-up in 2013. Streich also won the 2014 sectional meet at Blue Earth with a time of 15:52.43. On the track, Streich has won three state titles including two-straight 1,600 meter titles. His winning time of 4:13.80 as a junior marks his personal record in the event while he also clocked a 1:55.14 to win the 800 meter state crown last season.
Josh Tracy | St. Michael Albertville High School
A senior at St. Michael Albertville High School, Tracy placed sixth at the state meet in the 800 meters in 2014 with a time of 1:56.07 after winning the 2014 5AA Finals with a time of 1:57.05. Tracy also led the Knights to a state meet appearance in the 4x800 meter relay after winning their section meet with a time of 7:57.58.
Jack Wellenstein | Madison West High School
Currently a senior at Madison West High School, Wellenstein was the 2014 WIAA D1 State Championship runner-up in the 400 meters, running a personal record of 48.39 at the meet to set a new school record. Wellenstein also finished eighth at the state meet last season in the 200 meters after setting a personal record of 22.21 at the WIAA D1 Sectional 3 meet. The 2014 state meet marked his second running of the 400 meters following a fourth-place finish as a sophomore. Wellenstein also played hockey for Madison West.
Gemechu Godi | Iowa Western Community College
Godi joins the Gophers after spending two years at Iowa Western Community College. With the Reivers, Godi was part of two school relay records with a 40.08 in the 4x100 meter relay and a 3:08.2 in the 4x400 meter relay. Godi helped Iowa Western to a fourth-place finish in the 2014 NJCAA Outdoor Championships and earned NJCAA Honorable Mention All-America honors as a member of the 4x100 meter relay squad. Godi also has personal records in the 200 meters at 21.52 and the 400 meters at 47.99. Godi prepped at Sioux Falls Lincoln High School and numerous notable performances including the South Dakota state 800-meter relay record of 1:27.90 in 2012. In 2012, he won South Dakota state titles in the 100 meters, the 400 meters, and the 4x100 meter relay while finishing second in the 200 meters. Godi will be eligible to compete for the Gophers beginning in January.
###
Players Mentioned
