University of Minnesota Athletics
Saturday, January 9
UM Fieldhouse
12:00 PM
University of Minnesota
vs
Northwest Open
Gophers Garner Eight Titles at Northwest Open
1/9/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Track & Field
Jan. 9, 2016
MINNEAPOLIS (GopherSports.com) ââ'¬" The University of Minnesota men's track & field program kicked off the 2016 indoor season with eight titles at the Northwest Open on Saturday at the University of Minnesota Fieldhouse on campus.
"It's always exciting to kick off the new season, and we certainly have a lot to look forward to this year," Minnesota Director of Men's Track & Field and Cross Country Steve Plasencia said. "Our team has been looking forward to getting the season started, and it was great to see some of the guys have a chance to really compete after working so hard to get ready for the season."
After winning the 400 meters last year at this meet, Nate Roese added a 600-meter title to his accomplishments ââ'¬" leading a pack of five Gophers at the top of the event. Roese, who clocked the second-fastest 600 meters in the nation last year behind teammate Mitch Hechsel, ran a 1:18.79 ââ'¬" just short of Hechsel's meet record of 1:18.73 from last year. Unattached Josh Tracy (1:20.76), Matt Rosen (1:21.17), unattached Shane Streich (1.23.91) and Luca Wieland (1:23.91) rounded out the top five for Minnesota.
All-American Goaner Deng succeeded Roese as this year's Northwest Open 400-meter champion. Deng clocked a 48.26 to beat Hechsel in the runner-up spot at 48.57. Jack Wellenstein, running unattached, finished third at 48.65.
The Maroon & Gold also boasted the top five finishers in the 800-meter run, led by Christian Skaret's winning time of 1:55.18. Sam Carlson came in second at 1:56.14, Wayde Hall was third at 1:56.17, Aaron Bartnik placed fourth at 1:56.20 and Adam Zutz finished fifth at 1:58.33.
Luke Johnson successfully defended his Northwest Open shot put title, leading a trio of Gophers in the top three finishes. Johnson hit 18.61 meters (61-00.75) while unattached Jonathan Tharaldsen finished second at 16.84 meters (55-03.00 ft.) followed by Bryan Bjerk in third at 15.74 meters (51-07.75 ft.).
The Gophers finished with the top three performers in the men's 60-meter hurdles as Eric Walker (8.29), Ben Holcomb (8.34) and Matthew Baker (8.56) finished in first, second and third, respectively. Walker and Baker were competing unattached.
Likewise for the men's mile run where Evan Ferlic ran a 4:17.57 as an unattached competitor for the event title. Riley Macon (4:20.81) and Charlie Lawrence (4:22.99) finished in second and third for Minnesota.
Roese, Rashawn Fountain, Godi and Rosen also teamed up to win the men's 4x400 meter relay race in 3:19.31, ahead of an unattached group of Wellenstein, Alex Kelner, Josh Tracy and Sam Lundquist that placed second at 3:20.48.
In additional field events, Nick Bachinski won the high jump at 2.05 meters (6-08.75 ft.) while former Gopher All-American and Big Ten champion Zach Siegmeier won the men's pole vault at 5.42 meters (17-09.25 ft.).
Meanwhile, Mac Riedy (17.68 meters, 58-00.25 ft.) and Viktor Stelter (17.39 meters, 58-00.25 ft.) finished second and third, respectively, in the men's weight throw while Gemechu Godi (22.23) and Johnathan Webb (22.00, unattached) did so in the 200 meters and James Travis (14.37 meters, 47-01.75 ft.) and unattached Sammie Houston (14.12 meters, 46-04.0 ft.) did so in the triple jump.
The Gophers return to action at home next weekend with the Minnesota Open.
###
MINNEAPOLIS (GopherSports.com) ââ'¬" The University of Minnesota men's track & field program kicked off the 2016 indoor season with eight titles at the Northwest Open on Saturday at the University of Minnesota Fieldhouse on campus.
"It's always exciting to kick off the new season, and we certainly have a lot to look forward to this year," Minnesota Director of Men's Track & Field and Cross Country Steve Plasencia said. "Our team has been looking forward to getting the season started, and it was great to see some of the guys have a chance to really compete after working so hard to get ready for the season."
After winning the 400 meters last year at this meet, Nate Roese added a 600-meter title to his accomplishments ââ'¬" leading a pack of five Gophers at the top of the event. Roese, who clocked the second-fastest 600 meters in the nation last year behind teammate Mitch Hechsel, ran a 1:18.79 ââ'¬" just short of Hechsel's meet record of 1:18.73 from last year. Unattached Josh Tracy (1:20.76), Matt Rosen (1:21.17), unattached Shane Streich (1.23.91) and Luca Wieland (1:23.91) rounded out the top five for Minnesota.
All-American Goaner Deng succeeded Roese as this year's Northwest Open 400-meter champion. Deng clocked a 48.26 to beat Hechsel in the runner-up spot at 48.57. Jack Wellenstein, running unattached, finished third at 48.65.
The Maroon & Gold also boasted the top five finishers in the 800-meter run, led by Christian Skaret's winning time of 1:55.18. Sam Carlson came in second at 1:56.14, Wayde Hall was third at 1:56.17, Aaron Bartnik placed fourth at 1:56.20 and Adam Zutz finished fifth at 1:58.33.
Luke Johnson successfully defended his Northwest Open shot put title, leading a trio of Gophers in the top three finishes. Johnson hit 18.61 meters (61-00.75) while unattached Jonathan Tharaldsen finished second at 16.84 meters (55-03.00 ft.) followed by Bryan Bjerk in third at 15.74 meters (51-07.75 ft.).
The Gophers finished with the top three performers in the men's 60-meter hurdles as Eric Walker (8.29), Ben Holcomb (8.34) and Matthew Baker (8.56) finished in first, second and third, respectively. Walker and Baker were competing unattached.
Likewise for the men's mile run where Evan Ferlic ran a 4:17.57 as an unattached competitor for the event title. Riley Macon (4:20.81) and Charlie Lawrence (4:22.99) finished in second and third for Minnesota.
Roese, Rashawn Fountain, Godi and Rosen also teamed up to win the men's 4x400 meter relay race in 3:19.31, ahead of an unattached group of Wellenstein, Alex Kelner, Josh Tracy and Sam Lundquist that placed second at 3:20.48.
In additional field events, Nick Bachinski won the high jump at 2.05 meters (6-08.75 ft.) while former Gopher All-American and Big Ten champion Zach Siegmeier won the men's pole vault at 5.42 meters (17-09.25 ft.).
Meanwhile, Mac Riedy (17.68 meters, 58-00.25 ft.) and Viktor Stelter (17.39 meters, 58-00.25 ft.) finished second and third, respectively, in the men's weight throw while Gemechu Godi (22.23) and Johnathan Webb (22.00, unattached) did so in the 200 meters and James Travis (14.37 meters, 47-01.75 ft.) and unattached Sammie Houston (14.12 meters, 46-04.0 ft.) did so in the triple jump.
The Gophers return to action at home next weekend with the Minnesota Open.
###
Players Mentioned
High Jump
/ Men's Track & Field
Multi-Events
/ Men's Track & Field
Mid-Distance
/ Men's Track & Field
Throws
/ Men's Track & Field
Distance
/ Men's Track & Field
Mid-Distance
/ Men's Track & Field
Distance
/ Men's Track & Field
Sprints
/ Men's Track & Field
/ Men's Track & Field
Distance
/ Men's Track & Field
Sprints
/ Men's Track & Field
Hurdles
/ Men's Track & Field
Jumps
/ Men's Track & Field
Throws
/ Men's Track & Field
Sprints
/ Men's Track & Field
Distance
/ Men's Track & Field
Distance
/ Men's Track & Field
Throws
/ Men's Track & Field
Mid-Distance
/ Men's Track & Field
Pole Vault
/ Men's Track & Field
Mid-Distance
/ Men's Track & Field
Discus
/ Men's Track & Field
Distance
/ Men's Track & Field
Throws
/ Men's Track & Field
Mid-Distance
/ Men's Track & Field
Jumps
/ Men's Track & Field
Hurdles
/ Men's Track & Field
Multi-Events
/ Men's Track & Field
Distance
/ Men's Track & FieldCHS Home Grown Gophers: Emmett Gerres
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