University of Minnesota Athletics
'U' Set for NCAA Prelims in Kansas
5/25/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Track & Field
| 2016 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field West Preliminary Round | |||||||||||
| Date | Thursday-Saturday, May 26-28 | ||||||||||
| Location | Rock Chalk Park | University of Kansas | Lawrence, Kan. | ||||||||||
| Meet Info | Meet Info | Updated Schedule | Heat Sheets | ||||||||||
| Time | 12 p.m. CT Thurs. | 12 p.m. CT Fri. | 3 p.m. CT Sat. | ||||||||||
| Coverage | Live Results | Live Video | @GopherMCCTF | #NCAATF | Facebook | ||||||||||
MINNEAPOLIS (GopherSports.com) -- The No. 16 University of Minnesota men's track & field program returns to action this weekend with the 2016 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field West Preliminary Round at Rock Chalk Park in Lawrence, Kan.
NCAA Preliminary Competitors
Obsa Ali - 5,000 Meters
Nick Bachinski - High Jump
Aaron Bartnik - 3,000 Meter Steeplechase
Jordan Charles - 4x100 Meter Relay
Goaner Deng - 800 Meters, 4x400 Meter Relay
Sean Donnelly - Hammer Throw
Sam Elsner - Discus
Gemechu Godi - 4x100 Meter Relay
Mitch Hechsel - 800 Meters,
Luke Johnson - Shot Put
Ryan Lockard - High Jump
Brad Neumann - 4x400 Meter Relay, 4x100 Meter Relay
Mac Riedy - Hammer Throw
Nate Roese - 4x400 Meter Relay
Shane Streich - 800 Meters
Jack Wellenstein - 400 Meters, 4x400 Meter Relay
Derek Wiebke - 1,500 Meters
Luca Wieland - High Jump, Long Jump
Trevor Yedoni - 4x100 Meter Relay
NCAA Preliminary Competitors by Event
400 Meters - Jack Wellenstein
800 Meters - Mitch Hechsel, Goaner Deng, Shane Streich
1,500 Meters - Derek Wiebke
5,000 Meters - Obsa Ali
3,000 Meter Steeplechase - Aaron Bartnik
4x100 Meter Relay - Jordan Charles, Brad Neumann, Gemechu Godi, Trevor Yedoni
4x400 Meter Relay - Brad Neumann, Nate Roese, Goaner Deng, Jack Wellenstein
High Jump - Ryan Lockard, Nick Bachinski, Luca Wieland
Long Jump - Luca Wieland
Hammer Throw - Sean Donnelly, Mac Riedy
Discus - Sam Elsner
Shot Put - Luke Johnson
NCAA Championships Competitors
Luca Wieland - Decathlon
Wieland Repeats as B1G Decathlon Champ
Junior Luca Wieland tallied 7,784 points to successfully defend his Big Ten decathlon title and earn First Team All-Big Ten earlier this month in Lincoln, Neb. Wieland's point total moves him up to second all-time at Minneosta behind Jack Szmanda's school record of 7,862 points while Wieland is just the second Gopher to repeat as Big Ten decathlon champion (Travis Brandstatter in 2004 and 2005). The University of Minnesota made history at this year's Big Ten meet as Wieland and Jess Lehman of the women's program both repeated as decathlon and heptathlon champions, respectively, -- the first time in Big Ten history a school has swept the outdoor multi-event titles in consecutive years. Minnesota finished seventh at the Big Ten meet while the team also celebrated Second Team All-Big Ten honors from Sean Donnelly, Ryan Lockard and the 4x400 meter relay team of Goaner Deng, Brad Neumann, Nate Roese and Jack Wellenstein.
Gophers Sit at No. 16 in USTFCCCA Rankings
The University of Minnesota enters this weekend's NCAA west prelims ranked No. 16 in the USTFCCCA NCAA Division I Men's Rankings. Purdue is the only Big Ten squad ranked higher than the Maroon & Gold -- sitting one spot up in 15th. The Gophers had moved up to No. 13 following the Big Ten meet although this week's rankings only consider competitors who have qualified for the NCAA preliminary meets.
Gophers Pace Big Ten in Program of the Year Rankings
As track & field season transitions from indoor to outdoor, the University of Minnesota men's track & field and cross country program stands 19th in the USTFCCCA Division I John McDonnell Program of the Year Award, which honors the institution that has achieved the most success in each academic year (spanning the cross country, indoor track & field, and outdoor track & field seasons) based on the institution's finish at the NCAA Championships.
Behind a 19th-place finish at the NCAA Cross Country Championships in the fall and a 44th-place finish last week at the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships, the Maroon & Gold posted 65.5 points - the top ranking among Big Ten programs. The final rankings will be announced following the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in June.
Minnesota Carries Five All-Americans During Indoor Season
The University of Minnesota sent five men to Birmingham, Ala., for the 2016 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships last week, and all five came home as All-Americans. Luca Wieland repeated as a First Team All-American in the heptathlon while Gian Ferretti (weight throw), Goaner Deng (800 meters), Luke Johnson(shot put) and Ryan Lockard (high jump) were named Second Team All-Americans. Johnson and Lockard earned national acclaim for the first time in their careers while Deng (third overall, first indoor) and Ferretti (second overall, first indoor) repeated as Second Team All-Americans.
Remembering Roy Griak
For the first time in more than half a century, the University of Minnesota men's track & field team will head into competition without Roy Griak on its coaching staff. The legendary coach passed away in July after dedicating his life to the University of Minnesota and the sports of cross country and track & field. A Minnesota alum, Griak spent more than 50 years on the Gophers coaching staff including 33 as head coach of the men's track & field and cross country programs. In that time, he guided the Gophers to three Big Ten titles, three national champions, 47 All-Americans and 60 Big Ten champions.
Three to Lead in 2016
The Gophers have tabbed a trio of seniors to serve as team captains this season with Luke Johnson (Redwing, Minn.), Goaner Deng (Apple Valley, Minn.) and Adam Zutz (St. Francis, Minn.) earning the honor for the Maroon & Gold.
Players Mentioned
