University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Head to Big Ten Championships
10/29/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country
| 2015 Big Ten Championships | |||||||||||
| Date | Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015 | ||||||||||
| Location | Sydney R. Marovitz Golf Course | Chicago, Ill. | ||||||||||
| Meet Info | Meet Home | ||||||||||
| Time | Men: 10:45 a.m. CT | Women: 11:45 a.m. CT | ||||||||||
| Coverage | Live Results | Notes | Performance List | ||||||||||
| TV | BTN (Tape Delay on Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. CT) | ||||||||||
| Social | @GopherMCCTF | Facebook | ||||||||||
Oct. 29, 2015
MINNEAPOLIS(GopherSports.com) -- The University of Minnesota men's cross country program returns to action Sunday, Nov. 1 with the 2015 Big Ten Championships in Chicago, Ill. Northwestern hosts this year's conference meet at the Sydney R. Marovitz Golf Course. The men's eight-kilometer race will begin at 10:45 a.m. CT while the women's race is set for 11:45 a.m.
Last Time Out - Jim Drews Invitational/Pre-Nationals
The University of Minnesota men's cross country team repeated as team champions at the 2015 Jim Drews Invitational on Oct. 17 in Ettrick, Wis. Redshirt sophomore Eric Colvin won the indiviudal title at the event and set an eight-kilometer personal record at 24:42.38 while all five Gophers scorers finished among the top-25 scorers. The Gophers competed at the Pre-National Meet in Louisville, Ky. that day as well, finishing 24th. Redshirt senior captain Adam Zutz cut more than 30 seconds off his eight-kilometer personal record to pace the team in 44th with a time of 23:53.1.
Looking Back -- 2014 Big Ten Championships
The Maroon & Gold finished seventh at the Big Ten meet one year ago in Iowa City while Aaron Bartnik led the Gophers squad with a seventh-place finish -- earning the Eden Prairie native Minnesota's first First Team All-Big Ten honor since John Simons in 2010.
Remembering Roy Griak
For the first time in more than half a century, the University of Minnesota men's cross country team will head into competition without Roy Griak on its coaching staff. The legendary coach passed away in July after dedicating his life to the University of Minnesota and the sports of cross country and track & field. A Minnesota alum, Griak spent more than 50 years on the Gophers coaching staff including 33 as head coach of the men's track & field and cross country programs. In that time, he guided the Gophers to three Big Ten titles, three national champions, 47 All-Americans and 60 Big Ten champions. The Gophers will wear a special commemorative patch to honor Griak this season.
Three to Lead in 2015
A trio of redshirt seniors will serve as team captains for the Minnesota men's cross country team this year. Christian Skaret (Minnetonka, Minn.), Adam Zutz (St. Francis, Minn.) and First Team All-Big Ten honoree Aaron Bartnik (Eden Prairie, Minn.) were selected as captains for the 105th season of Gopher cross country.
Success Under Plasencia
Now in his 20th season at the helm of the Minnesota men's cross country program, Director of Men's Track & Field and Cross Country Steve Plasencia has continued to guide the Gophers program to successful season after successful season. During his 19-year tenure, the Gophers have earned 14 NCAA Championship bids as well as three NCAA regional titles. Plasencia has also coached the Gophers to a total of 12 All-America honors and 29 All-Big Ten honors. A two-time All-American for the Gophers, Plasencia still holds the school record for a 10-kilometer race.
Big Ten Network to Televise Meet
The Big Ten Network plans to air the championship via tape delay on Nov. 12th at 7:00 p.m. CT.
Up Next - Fall Finale
The Maroon & Gold looks to defend its team championship from last year's Fall Finale on Nov. 6 in Collegeville, Minn. The Gophers have won three-straight individual titles at the meet with Matthew Jergenson taking the crown in 2014, Aaron Bartnik in 2013 and Blayne Dulian in 2012. Minnesota then competes at the NCAA Midwest Regional in Lawrence, Kans. on Nov. 13.
Players Mentioned
