University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Iowa State Classic
Gophers Close Out Weekend at ISU
2/11/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Track & Field
AMES, Iowa (GopherSports.com) - The University of Minnesota men's track & field team added a pair of runner-up finishes and multiple personal records to close out the Iowa State Classic on Saturday including the second-fastest 5,000 kilometers in school history by Obsa Ali.
Running late in Friday night's 5,000 meter competition, Ali clocked a personal record of 13:57.43 to finish 16th overall in the competition. The mark stands as the second best performance in the Big Ten this season, behind Purdue's Jaret Carpenter, who came in 15th at the ISU Classic with a time of 13:57.08. Additionally, the time is the second fastest in Minnesota history behind Gopher great Hassan Mead, who clocked a 13:33.42 in 2012.
All-American Ryan Lockard cleared a season-best 2.15 meters (7-00.50 ft.) to finish second in the high jump on Saturday after winning the event a year ago. Teammate Nick Bachinski came in seventh at 2.05 meters (6-08.75 ft.).
"Ryan and Obsa both had really nice performances, and they look ready to breakout heading into the championship season," Minnesota Director of Men's Track & Field and Cross Country Steve Plasencia said. "That's what we're looking for right now. We had some really nice performances over the weekend in our first big test of the year. We're looking for guys to keep showing progress, and we had that this weekend."
Shane Streich finished as the runner-up in the mile run with a personal record of 4:04.44. Nate Roese added a personal record in the 400 meters, finishing eighth at 47.73 while Jackson Wellenstein ran a season-best 47.77 to come in ninth.
All-American Mitch Hechsel finished second in his heat and 12th overall in the 800 meters behind an indoor personal record of 1:49.10. Jon Tollefson posted a fourth-place finish in the 60-meter hurdles at 8.20 after clocking an 8.18 in the prelims.
The Gophers put three competitors in the top 10 of the triple jump, highlighted by James Travis' fifth-place showing at 14.46 meters (47-05.25 ft.). Jordan Charles, who won the 60-meter dash on Friday behind the fastest time in the Big Ten this season (6.68), finished one spot behind his teammate in sixth with a jump of 14.44 meters (47-04.5 ft.). Sammie Houston finished ninth at 13.95 meters (45-09.25 ft.).
Minnesota closed out the ISU Classic with four individual titles including Charles' win in the 60-meter dash. Luca Wieland won the long jump (7.50 meters, 24-07.25 ft.), Glen Harold set a personal record to win the pole vault (5.30 meters, 17-04.50 ft.) and Evan Ferlic won the open 3,000 meters (8:16.96). Additionally, the Gophers picked up four wins at the UST Showcase on Friday night. Quinton Coleman won the 60-meter dash (6.97), Tyler Tappe claimed the pole vault title (5.87 meters, 15-11.75 ft.), John Uchytil won the 60-meter hurdle (8.69) and unattached freshman Chris Trotter paced the 800 meters (1:52.11).
The Gophers host their final home meet of the season next Friday, Feb. 17 with the Snowshoe Open at the University of Minnesota Fieldhouse on campus.
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Players Mentioned
