University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Drake Relays
Gophers Tally 15 Top-10 Finishes at Drake
4/29/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Track & Field
Photo Gallery | Drake Relays Results | St. Mary's Open Results
DES MOINES, Iowa (GopherSports.com) - The University of Minnesota men's track & field program closed out the 108th annual Drake Relays on Saturday with a total of 15 top-10 finishes including runner-up performances by All-American high jumper Ryan Lockard and the distance medley relay team of Derek Wiebke, Jackson Wellenstein, Mitch Hechsel and Shane Streich on Saturday.
After nine top-10 finishes in the first two days of competition at Drake Stadium, the Maroon & Gold added six more on Saturday.
Minnesota picked up a trio of top-10 finishes in the high jump, led by Lockard's runner-up finish. With the competition sent indoors due to inclement weather, the All-American cleared 2.12 meters (6-11.50 ft.) while Nick Bachinski and Luca Wieland tied for 10th at 2.08 meters (6-09.75 ft.).
The distance medley relay squad was less than half a second away from its fourth Drake Relays title and its first since 2012 as the team of Wiebke, Wellenstein, Hechsel Shane Streich posted a runner-up finish at 9:58.10. Oklahoma State won the event at 9:57.86 - just besting the Maroon & Gold -- while Streich's anchor leg held off Big Ten rival Illinois in third.
Wellenstein and Hechsel later helped Minnesota's 4x400 meter relay team close out the meet with a third-place finish. Teamed with Brad Neumann and Nate Roese, the Gophers foursome clocked a 9:58.10.
Meanwhile, the sprint medley relay team of Matthew Baker, Jonathan Webb, Josh Tracy and Matt Rosen came in 10th with a time of 3:29.78. Jonathan Tharaldsen finished 18th in the discus (47.73 meters, 156-07 ft.) to start the final day of competition.
In addition to the Drake Relays, the Gophers also sent a group of competitors to the St. Mary's Open in Winona with three Gophers capturing individual titles. Sam Carlson won the 1,500 meters (3:58.79), Jonathan Johnson took the long jump crown (6.86 meters, 22-06.25 ft.) and James Travis won the triple jump (14.63 meters, 48-00.00 ft.).
A pair of unattached Minnesota freshmen also recorded the best finishes in their events although their performances were not included in the standings. Jon Nerdal led the hammer throw (59.40 meters, 194-10 ft.) and Clayton Johnson led the 400-meter hurdles (55.28).
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Players Mentioned
