University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Drake Relays
Gophers Claim Drake Relays 4x800 Title
4/29/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Track & Field
DES MOINES, Iowa (GopherSports.com) - For the fourth time in the last six years and sixth time in program history, the Golden Gophers are the Drake Relays 4x800 meter relay champions after pacing the field with a winning time of 7:23.54 on Friday night.
The relay squad of Mitch Hechsel, Shane Streich, Derek Wiebke and Goaner Deng carried the Maroon & Gold to a win at Drake Stadium, finishing more than five seconds in front of runner-up Illinois to put Minnesota on the victory podium for the first time since 2013.
"One of the reasons we enjoy coming to the Drake Relays is that you know you are going to get some of the best competition in the country, and that's what we got tonight," Minnesota Director of Men's Track & Field and Cross Country Steve Plasencia said. "We're proud of the success we've had at this meet, and we're sure proud of the way our guys earned the win tonight."
Following strong showings from Hechsel, Streich and Wiebke for the Maroon & Gold, the anchor leg came down to Deng - the lone holdover from Minnesota's last 4x800 meter relay title at Drake Relays. After winning at the Blue Oval as a freshman in 2013, the Gophers All-American was able to bolster his college accolades with another title as a senior captain this year.
The book-ended title accomplishment was not lost on him.
"It's always fun when you can compete together as a team and win as a team under the lights at Drake Relays," Deng said. "I remember the last time we won this event, the older guys told us 'Look around…this is fun. Find a way to get back here.' I took that as a responsibility to the program, and I told the younger guys the same thing tonight on the stage. 'Get back here.'"
This year's victory adds a sixth Drake Relays 4x800 meter relay title to Minnesota's trophy case. The Gophers won three-straight titles from 2011-2013 and previously won in 2004 and 1912. The win also stands as Minnesota's 14th overall relay title at the Drake Relays and 56th overall title at the meet.
Meanwhile, the 4x100 meter relay team of Jordan Charles, Brad Neumann, Gemechu Godi and Trevor Yedoni finished 11th in the Drake Relays prelims with a time of 40.85 while the 4x400 meter relay team of Brad Neumann, Nate Roese, Godi and Jack Wellenstein finished 12th in the prelims at 3:09.86.The Gophers also posted a pair of 14th-place finishes in individual events with Glen Harold hitting 5.00 meters (16-04.75 ft.) in the pole vault and Charles clearing 14.48 meters (47-06.25 ft.) in the triple jump.
The Gophers close out the weekend on Saturday, competing at the Drake Relays, Kansas' Rock Chalk Classic and the St. Mary's Open.
###
Players Mentioned
