University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
2015 Big Ten Outdoor Track & Field Championships
Gophers Finish Sixth at Big Ten Outdoor Meet
5/17/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Track & Field
Link: 2015 Big Ten Championships Results
EAST LANSING, Mich. (Gophersports.com) -- The University of Minnesota men's track & field program closed out the 2015 Big Ten Outdoor Track & Field Championships with a sixth-place finish on Sunday highlighted by one of the best shot put performances in school history by senior captain Mark Jennings.
The Gopher totaled 64 points at the conference crown including Luca Wieland's Big Ten decathlon title and Gian Ferretti's school record in the hammer throw earlier in the weekend.
Jennings continued his climb up Minnesota's top performers list on Sunday with a toss of 19.17 meters (62-10.75 ft.) -- a new personal record for the senior that ranks fourth all-time at Minnesota. Jennings' fourth-place finish netted five points for the Maroon & Gold.
"We had a number of nice performances this weekend, and we had a number of young guys get valuable experience," Minnesota Director of Men's Track & Field and Cross Country Steve Plasencia said. "Some of the older guys stepped up today, and that's what we need from our veterans. We lose a couple key contributors to graduation this year, but that's the kind of program we have - the younger guys got a taste of the Big Ten meet and will come back hungry next season."
On the track, the Gophers added 10 points thanks to a trio of finalists in the 800 meters. For the second day in a row, Goaner Deng hit a new personal record -- running 1:49.24 to pace the Gophers with a fourth-place showing. Mitch Hechsel was one spot back in fifth at 1:49.65 while Bradley Johnson came in eighth at 1:51.76.
Deng and Hechsel also made up half of the 4x400 meter relay team, along with Nate Roese and Rashawn Fountain, that scored three points with a sixth-place finish at 3:10.9.
Blayne Dulian added four points to the team total with his fifth-place finish in the 1,500 meters after clocking a 3:58.35. Brad Neumann also combined for four points for the Gophers with a seventh-place finish in the 200 meters at 21.47 and a seventh-place finish as part of the 4x100 meter relay squad with Gemechu Godi, Trevor Yedoni and Jordan Charles. The relay team posted a 40.85 -- the second fastest time by Minnesota this season.
The Gophers return to action at the 2015 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Regionals, May 28-30, in Austin, Texas.
Players Mentioned
