University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Oz Memorial
No. 27 Gophers Win Oz Memorial
9/11/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country
Sept. 11, 2015
FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. - The No. 27 Golden Gopher women's cross country team began its 2015 season by claiming both the individual title and the team title at the annual Oz Memorial Run at Minnesota's home course at Les Bolstad Golf Course Friday evening.
Fifth-year senior Liz Berkholtz cruised to the individual title, leading the entire race and finishing the 6K race in 21:48.3, nearly 10 seconds ahead of runner-up Emma Huston of Drake (21:56.6).
No. 27 Minnesota edged No. 1 Iowa State, which did not run a full squad, by a score of 33-37 for the team title. South Dakota State (72) and Drake (87) finished third and fourth, respectively.
Behind Berkholtz, fellow Gopher captain redshirt junior Haley Johnson also earned a top-five finish, placing fifth in 22:21.0 behind Iowa State's Abby Caldwell (21:56.8) and Maryn Lowry (22:17.4.).
Redshirt freshman Tamara Gorman (seventh, 22:34.5), redshirt sophomore Madeline Strandemo (eighth, 22:42.2) and redshirt freshman Courtney Alama (12th, 22:51.7) rounded out Minnesota's top five runners.
"Overall, I thought we did a really nice job," head coach Sarah Hopkins said. "It wasn't a perfect day by any means, but it was a solid day. Obviously we came away with the win, which is always good, but I think we were winning by a lot at the 3K-mark and it got closer and closer by the end.
"I think we took a lot of good risks. Through two or three kilometers, we had a lot of bodies up towards the front, which is good. We paid the piper a bit in some spots, but I would rather have them race that way and learn that way versus being too conservative."
Hopkins noted that she was impressed with the way the younger runners stepped up, including redshirt freshman Patty O'Brien (22:58.4), who was Minnesota's sixth runner in 16th overall, along with fellow redshirt freshmen Gorman and Alama. Redshirt junior Taylor Mikkalson (23:02.0) completed the top seven Gophers in 18th place.
"Overall our young kids really stole the day," Hopkins said. "That was awesome to see some of our freshmen in there. Our upperclassmen that are savvy will bounce back and be where we need them to be for Griak and Wisconsin. We just have to do a good job of battling.
"That young class is doing a good job of sticking their noses in there, and we're going to need them to be good. Our upperclassmen will continue to improve as we go, too."
The Gophers have a week off from competition next week as they return to Les Bolstad Course to host the 30th annual Roy Griak Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 26.
Team Standings
1. Minnesota, 33
2. Iowa State, 37
3. South Dakota State, 72
4. Drake, 87
Gopher Finishers
1. Liz Berkholtz, 21:48.3
5. Haley Johnson, 22:21.0
7. Tamara Gorman, 22:34.5
9. Madeline Strandemo, 22:42.2
12. Courtney Alama, 22:51.7
16. Patty O'Brien, 22:58.4
18. Taylor Mikkalson, 23:02.0
20. Kaila Urick, 23:05.5
21. Jamie Piepenburg, 23:07.4
22. Stacey Swatek, 23:08.0
29. Tess Wasowicz, 23:33.1
38. Emily Castanias, 24:20.1
40. Violet Weibel, 24:35.4
41. Nicole Heitzman, 24:35.5
43. Melissa Cabak, 24:36.2
44. Molly Eastman, 24:38.9
48. Caitlin Dillon, 24:46.6
49. Sarah Klecker, 25:09.1
52. Paige D'Heilly, 25:36.2
54. Madeline Brighouse Glueck, 25:47.6
56. Ellen Snyder, 25:49.9
59. Naomi Ollila, 26:16.3
61. Paige Peschel, 26:53.3
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Players Mentioned
