University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Minnesota Open
`U' Picks Up Three Titles at Home
1/16/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Track & Field
2016 Minnesota Open Results | Photo Gallery
MINNEAPOLIS (GopherSports.com) - A small contingency of Gopher competitors picked up three titles at the University of Minnesota Fieldhouse on Saturday at the Minnesota Open while a Minnesota alum added a title of his own.
After finishing second in the weight throw a year ago at the Minnesota Open, Gian Ferretti earned his first title of the young season on Saturday as the Gophers posted three of the top four performances in the event. Ferretti led the way with a toss of 20.00 meters (65-07.50 ft.) with Mac Riedy coming in second at 19.15 meters (62-10.00 ft.). Viktor Stelter finished fourth at 18.17 meters (59-07.50 ft.).
The Gophers also had three of the top four finishers in the 60 meters as Gemechu Godi earned the individual title with a time of 6.81. Unattached freshman Jonathan Webb came in second at 7.00 while Quinton Coleman finished fourth at 7.07.
Saturday's Minnesota Open also saw the hosts earn a title from unattached freshman Eric Walker in the 60-meter hurdles. The Minnesota newcomer ran an 8.36 while fellow unattached freshman Matthew Baker came in third at 8.47.
Additionally, unattached freshman Jonathan Tharaldsen finished second in the shot put at 16.00 meters (50-07.25 ft.) while unattached freshman Joey Duerr came in second in the mile run with a time of 4:18.78.
"We've got a big dual next Saturday at home against Wisconsin, and we really want our guys ready to go for the Badgers," Minnesota Director of Men's Track & Field and Cross Country Steve Plasencia said. "We've had some nice performances over the first two weeks of the season including today, and now we have to put all of our focus on defending our title in the Border Battle rivalry."
Minnesota was also well represented in the pole vault competition as Glen Harold finished third at 4.74 meters (15-05.50 ft.) and Luca Wieland came in fourth at 4.59 meters (15-00.75 ft.). Former Gopher All-American and Big Ten champion Zach Siegmeier led the field with a new meet record of 5.35 meters (16-00.50 ft.).
The Gophers return to action next Saturday with a dual meet against Border Battle rival Wisconsin at the University of Minnesota Fieldhouse.
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Players Mentioned
