University of Minnesota Athletics
Esser Wins Canadian Discus Title
7/8/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
MINNEAPOLIS - National level competition continued for the Golden Gophers on Friday as University of Minnesota junior Agnes Esser won the discus national title at the Canadian Championships and Rio Selection Trials in Edmonton, Alberta.
Esser's best throw of the day came on her fifth attempt in the final with a winning mark of 50.32m (165-01). After throwing 47.27m (155-01) on her first attempt to finish fourth in the first round, the top nine advanced to the final. Esser then moved into first place on her fifth throw, edging runner-up Brittany Crew's (York University) throw of 49.22m (161-05). Esser wraps up competition in the hammer throw final at 8:30 p.m. CT Saturday night.
Following the conclusion of the Canadian Championships and Rio Selection Trials, Athletics Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee will unveil Canada's team for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games on Monday, July 11.
Meanwhile, action continued for the Gophers at the U.S. Olympic Trials Friday evening. Minnesota alumni Gabriele Grunewald and Heather Kampf raced in the semifinal round of the 1,500-meter run with Grunewald advancing to Sunday's final (7 p.m. CT). Grunewald ran 4:11.86 to place sixth in her heat and ninth overall, while Kampf finished 15th in 4:13.28; the top five in each semifinal plus the next two fastest times moved on.
Gophers Jess Lehman (heptathlon) and Nicolle Murphy (javelin) are set to compete at the U.S. Olympic Trials this weekend as well. Lehman begins the heptathlon with the 100-meter hurdles at 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday, while Murphy competes in the javelin final at 6 p.m. CT. Saturday.
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