University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
2017 Big Ten Indoor Track & Field Championships
Ali Leads `U' in Opening Day at Big Tens
2/23/2018 12:00:00 AM | Men's Track & Field
Day 1 Results
GENEVA, Ohio - The University of Minnesota men's track and field program kicked off the 2018 Big Ten Indoor Track & Field Championships on Friday, Feb. 23 at the Spire Institute in Geneva, Ohio.
Through five scored events, the Maroon & Gold sit in ninth with four points, having scored in the 3,000 meters and the distance medley relay while pushing four competitors through preliminary trials during the opening day of competition.
Obsa Ali led Minnesota on Friday, picking up three points with a sixth-place finish in the 3,000 meters. Ali clocked an 8:16.91. The Gophers added another point to close out the day with an eighth-place performance in the distance medley relay as Owen Hoeft, Jackson Wellenstein, Dawson LaRance and Shane Streich clocked a 9:52.62.
Meanwhile, the Maroon & Gold pushed a total of four competitors through in three events, highlighted by Wellenstein's personal record in the 400 meters. Wellenstein clocked a 46.84 on Friday at the SPIRE Institute - the third-fastest qualifier while his showing bumps Wellenstein up to sixth all-time on Minnesota's Top-Performers List.
Jonathan Webb also pushed through the 200 meter prelims as the eighth and final qualifier at 21.26. He added a 10th in the 60 meter prelims at 6.79.
The Gophers were the only school in the field to move two competitors on to the 600-meter finals with Ben Psicihulis clocking a 1:17.72 as the third-fastest qualifier in the prelims and Chris Trotter running 1:18.48 to come in sixth among qualifiers. Josh Tracy came in 10th at 1:19.02.
Additionally, Eric Walker jumped from eighth on Minnesota' Top Performers List in the 60-meter hurdles to third with his personal record of 7.99. Walker finished 10th on Friday in the prelims. Jonathan Tharaldsen came in ninth in the shot put with a personal record of 18.14 meters (59-06.25 ft.).
The first four events of the heptathlon were also held on Friday with Teddy Frid currently in ninth at 2,996 while John Uchytil is in 13th at 2,573 points.
Players Mentioned
