University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
NCAA Championships
Strandemo Earns Top-10 Finish in NCAA Debut
6/10/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
Photo Gallery | Meet Results (Complete) 
EUGENE, Ore. - Madeline Strandemo earned Second Team All-American honors in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and Taylor Wiebke tied for 21st in the high jump as the University of Minnesota women's track & field team wrapped up competition at the 2017 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championship at Oregon's Hayward Field Saturday evening.
"There were some struggles and some good things that happened for us here at the national meet, but the biggest thing is that we were able to bring five competitors who have the opportunity to come back," director of women's track & field and cross country Matt Bingle said. "They've learned a lot, just like they did from indoor to outdoor. It just adds to our team for next year and that's what we'll take away from it."
After running the sixth-fastest time in the 3,000m steeplechase semifinal at 9:52.74, Strandemo placed ninth in a time of 10:04.62 in her NCAA final debut. The 2017 Big Ten champion in the 3,000m steeplechase, Strandemo ends her third season of eligibility as Minnesota's program record-holder in the event at 9:51.83.
Wiebke also wrapped up the 2017 season with her first NCAA Championship appearance, clearing 1.73m (5-08.00) to tie for 21st in the high jump at the national meet. Her sophomore season comes to a close after breaking Minnesota's outdoor program record in high jump at 1.85m (6-00.75).
"It was a great meet in terms of learning," Bingle said. "They all learned that you can't make mistakes here. Even if you have one little moment where you slip, at this level, you're going to lose it. It's a powerful thing for us in terms of growth and building our team for the future.
"Pre-competition, they looked like they felt comfortable, but once the gun goes off or once they call your name, you have to execute -- probably at a higher level than you ever have, and that's the thing. Each stage of the game asks more. You have to be able to come into a meet like this ready for a PR."
On day one of women's competition, four more Gophers represented the Maroon & Gold at the NCAA Championship led by Emma Spagnola, who placed 16th in the 100m hurdles (13.31 seconds) and earned her second All-American nod of the season after also picking up Second Team All-American honors in the 60m hurdles during the indoor season.
Emerald Egwim, Angie Guenther, and Temi Ogunrinde also represented the Gophers in Eugene, Ore. Egwim took 20th in the 400-meter dash in 53.95 seconds while Ogunrinde and Guenther both made their NCAA debuts in the hammer throw. Ogunrinde threw 60.75m (199-03) to place 18th overall while Guenther posted a mark of 60.06m (197-00) to finish 21st.
"Like I told all of them, I'm very proud of them for the season and getting to this point," Bingle said. "They had an awesome year, and there's a lot to be thankful for."
Minnesota's 2017 season comes to a close with two outdoor All-Americans, six NCAA Outdoor Championship qualifiers, four indoor All-Americans, four NCAA Indoor Championship qualifiers, and a team runner-up showing at the Big Ten Outdoor Championship after a fourth-place team finish at the B1G indoor meet.
Gophers' NCAA Results
9. Madeline Strandemo (Second Team All-American), 3,000m steeplechase, 10:04.62
16. Emma Spagnola (Second Team All-American), 100m hurdles, 13.31
18. Temi Ogunrinde, hammer throw, 60.75m (199-03)
20. Emerald Egwim, 400m, 53.95
21. Angie Guenther, hammer throw, 60.06m (197-00)
T-21. Taylor Wiebke, high jump, 1.73m (5-08.00)
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Players Mentioned
