University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Head to Kansas for NCAA Regional
11/12/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country
| 2015 NCAA Midwest Regional | |||||||||||
| Date | Friday, Nov. 13, 2015 | ||||||||||
| Location | Rim Rock Farm | Lawrence, Kans. | ||||||||||
| Meet Info | Meet Home | 10K Map | 6K Map | ||||||||||
| Time | Men's 10K: 1 p.m. CT | Women's 6K: 12 p.m. Ct | ||||||||||
| Coverage | Live Results | Notes | Performance List | ||||||||||
| Social | @GopherMCCTF | Facebook | ||||||||||
Nov. 12, 2015
MINNEAPOLIS (GopherSports.com) -- The No. 26 University of Minnesota men's cross country program returns to action on Friday, Nov. 13 with the 2015 NCAA Midwest Regional at Rim Rock Farm in Lawrence, Kan. The men's 10-kilometer race is set for 1 p.m. CT while the women's six-kilometer race starts at 12 p.m. CT.
Gophers Return to Rim Rock Farm
The Maroon & Gold started the year at Rim Rock Farm, picking up a team win at the Bob Timmons Dual Classic on Sept. 1. The Gophers had four runners in the top 10 and all six competitors in the top 25 for the six-kilometer course. Redshirt senior captain Aaron Bartnik grabbed the meet individual medal for his second-career win while fellow redshirt senior captain Adam Zutz was less than a second behind his teammate in the runner-up spot. Riley Macon (eighth), Matt Welch (ninth) and Eric Colvin (22nd) closed out the scoring for Minnesota. All five will be in action for the Maroon & Gold on Friday.
Zutz Hits Highlight Time in Chicago
Redshirt senior captain Adam Zutz recorded another new personal record at the 2015 Big Ten Championships on Nov. 1 in Chicago with a 23:40.0 mark. Not only was it good enough for a seventh-place finish and Zutz's first-career First Team All-Big Ten honor, the time was the fifth fastest eight-kilometer race in University of Minnesota history. Only All-Americans Hassan Mead and Chris Rombough have run faster times for the Gophers.
'U' Celebrates Three All-Big Ten Runners
Joining Zutz as All-Big Ten honorees were redshirt senior Aaron Bartnik and sophomore Obsa Ali -- both of who were tabbed Second Team All-Big Ten. Bartnik, who earned First Team All-Big Ten honors a year ago, added his second-straight conference accolade in the performance while Ali ran a personal record to pick up his first Big Ten honor. The Gophers finished third at the conference meet this year.
In the Polls
After a third-place showing at the Big Ten Championships earlier this month, Minnesota vaulted into the USTFCCCA national polls -- tying for 26th.
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 33 All-Big Ten honors. A two-time All-American for the Gophers, Plasencia still holds the school record for a 10-kilometer race.
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.
Players Mentioned
