University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers to Honor Seniors at Parents Day Invite
2/18/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
| Parents Day Invite | |||||||||||
| Date | Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015 | ||||||||||
| Location | Minnesota Fieldhouse, Minneapolis, Minn. | ||||||||||
| Meet Info | Home Meet Info | Schedule | Heat Sheets | ||||||||||
| Time | 10 a.m. Field events | 11 a.m. Running events | ||||||||||
| Coverage | Live Results | ||||||||||
Feb. 18, 2015
MINNEAPOLIS - The Minnesota women's track & field team returns home to the University of Minnesota Fieldhouse to host the Parents Day Invite this week. Field events are scheduled to get underway at 10 a.m. CT Saturday, followed by running events at 11 a.m.
About the Parents Day Invite
Minnesota's annual Parents Day Invite is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. with the weight throw. The 5,000-meter run is the first running event at 11 a.m. Fans can also follow live results throughout the day through Wayzata Results.
During Saturday's meet, Minnesota will recognize its 20 graduating seniors, Lisa Bailey, Megan Bailey, Frances Conlin, Lauren Domski, Anne Ferguson, Kelly Flynn, Marnie Kinnaird, Ally McSherry, Rachel Melum, Katie Murgic, Nicole Murphey, Megan Petermann, Chelsea Pettit, Rebecca Rethwisch, Devin Stanford, Stacey Swatek, Sara Tseng, Hannah Trasser, Jessica Waldvogel and Andie Zeman.
Last Time Out: Gophers Earn 16 Personal Bests at Iowa State Classic
Including record-breaking performances in the 60-meter hurdles and the 200-meter dash and eight mid-distance personal milestones, the Gophers finished the Iowa State Classic with 16 career-best marks last weekend.
Minnesota's record-breaking efforts included Emma Spagnola and Kimberly Golding in the 60m hurdles. Spagnola clocked an 8.48 for second place at the meet with Golding on her heels in third at 8.50 seconds. The duo now ranks first and second in Minnesota track & field history, and they have already combined to beat the previous Gopher record five times this season. Erin Hawkins also ran the second-best time in Minnesota history in the 200-meter dash at 24.14.
Eight of Minnesota's career-best performances were among the mid-distance Gophers as four runners in both the 800-meter run, Anne Ferguson (2:13.06), Stacey Swatek (2:13.74), Andie Zeman (2:14.95) and Anne Haakenstad (2:20.13), and four runners in the mile, Kaila Urick (4:50.37), Ally McSherry (4:53.01), Haley Johnson (4:53.44) and Madeline Strandemo (4:59.51), recorded personal bests.
Minnesota also competed at the St. Thomas Showcase where Sara Tseng picked up the Gophers' lone event title with a win in the pole vault at 3.60 meters. Several Gophers had impressive unattached performances, including Patty O'Brien winning the 3,000m (10:09.67), Paige Peschel placing second in the 800m (2:16.97) and Emily Castanias placing second in the mile (5:08.21).
2014 Parents Day Invite Rewind
The Golden Gophers picked up three titles on the track in the 600-meter run, 800-meter run and 1,000-meter run, as well as earning wins in the shot put, weight throw and long jump, at the 2014 Parents Day Invite.
Titania Markland led the Maroon and Gold in the 600m run as the Gophers claimed five of the top eight places, and Cassy Opitz won the 800m in a season-best 2:13.18. The 1,000m saw Stacey Swatek come in first in 2:57.09. Becci Osterdyk and Lyndsey Thorpe won the shot put and the weight throw, respectively, as the Gophers dominated the throwing events. Nicole Murphey won the long jump with a season-best leap of 5.70m as well.
USTFCCCA Week Four National Poll
No. 1 Arkansas moved up two places to take over the top spot in this week's USTFCCCA rankings. No. 2 Georgia, last week's top-ranked team, fell one place, followed by No. 3 Florida, No. 4 Texas and No. 5 Oregon to round out the top five.
NO. 10 Wisconsin is the lone Big Ten Conference team in this week's top 25. Michigan and Maryland dropped out of this week's rankings.
The Gophers come in at No. 43 this week, one spot higher than last week. Minnesota is also third in the Midwest Region, behind Kansas State and Nebraska. The next rankings will be released Feb. 23. This week is the first of the year with the rankings based solely on 2015 performances (excluding the combined events).
Gophers vs. B1G Opponents
Several Gophers rank among the best in the Big Ten Conference this season. Jess Herauf leads the league in the pentathlon with 4,311 points. Fellow Gophers Devin Stanford (second in weight throw), Heta Tuuri (fourth in high jump), Katie Murgic and Cami Gilson (tied for fourth in pole vault), Agnes Esser (fifth in shot put), Erin Hawkins (fifth in 200m), Titania Markland (fifth in 600m) also rank among the top five Big Ten performers in their respective events so far this season. The Gophers' 4x400-meter relay team of Jessica Waldvogel, Hawkins, Emerald Egwim and Markland is second in the B1G as well.
Bingle on the Parents Day Invite
Gopher Sports: How would you describe the seniors' contributions to the program?
Matt Bingle: This year's seniors have really shown great development over their careers. Whether they've scored points at the Big Ten meets or not, they've all contributed to the team in a positive way. They've been part of building the program back up over the last four or five years. They have developed both on and off the track, as athletes and as people. They have had a great impact on the team and out in the community.
As a group they've gotten more confident and know the expectation level they need to set for themselves. They do a good job of leading and taking care of the underclassmen. They've improved on the team culture by being really family-oriented with an all-in mentality.
GS: What is special about the Parents Day Invitte?
Bingle: The big thing is honoring the seniors and the parents and families this weekend. When the women are done competing, they get to spend some time with their families, which is different than most meets. This weekend it's all about family, which is fun for everyone. It's a way to honor everyone. You're only as good as your family.
On the Horizon: Big Ten Championships
Next weekend, the Gophers travel to the SPIRE Institute in Geneva, Ohio, for the 2015 Big Ten Indoor Championships on Friday, Feb. 27 and Saturday, Feb. 28. Day one action includes finals for women's pole vault, shot put, long jump, 3,000-meter run and distance medley relay, along with pentathlon.
Two-day passes are available for $20 for adults and $8 for students, seniors and retired military. Single-day passes are priced at $10 for adults and $5 for students, seniors and retired military. Active military and children five and under receive free admission. On-site parking is available for $5 as well.
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Players Mentioned
