University of Minnesota Athletics
Ali Claims B1G Steeplechase Crown
5/12/2018 12:00:00 AM | Men's Track & Field
Results
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Obsa Ali's first conference title capped the second day of competition for the University of Minnesota men's track & field program at the 2018 Big Ten Outdoor Track & Field Championships, hosted by Indiana at the Haugh Track & Field Complex.
Behind Ali's 10 points as 3,000 meter steeplechase champion, the Gophers recorded 25 points on Saturday to jump up to sixth in the team standings ahead of Sunday's final day of competition.
Minnesota more than doubled its point total in the final event of the night as the Maroon & Gold claimed 15 points in the 3,000 meter steeplechase. Ali led the way with his first career conference crown and Minnesota's first Big Ten 3,000 meter steeplechase crown since 1999. An All-American in the event last year, Ali clocked a personal record of 8:44.77 to move himself up to sixth all-time at Minnesota in the event. Alec Basten added another five points with his fourth-place showing at 8:58.67. The `U' notched four of the top-10 performers in the event as Jack Manderscheid came in ninth at 9:13.97 and Nick Rink finished 10th at 9:14.37.
The Gophers also picked up six points in the decathlon after a strong second day of competition saw Teddy Frid jump from seventh in the decathlon to start the day to third at its conclusion. The Gophers newcomer led the field in three of Saturday's five events for a new personal record of 7,402 points - a score that moves Frid up to eighth in Gophers history.
Frid led the 110-meter hurdles with 887 points at 14.69, the pole vault with 849 points at 4.80 meters (15-09 ft.) and the 1,500 meters with 717 points at 4:34.30. He also added 605 points in the discus at 37.07 meters (121-07 ft.) and 512 points in the javelin at 44.77 meters (146-10 ft.). On Friday, Frid picked up 825 points in the 100 meters at 11.16, 776 points in the long jump at 6.84 meters (22-05.25 ft.), 654 points in the shot put at 12.78 meters (41-11.25 ft.) and 749 points in the high jump at 1.94 meters (6-04.25 ft.). He closed out the first day of competition with 828 points in the 400 meters behind a time of 49.72.
In the long jump, Mason Roomes added two points to the team total with his seventh-place performance for the Maroon & Gold. Roomes' best attempt of the day came in at 7.39 meters (24-03.00 ft.). Jonathan Tharaldsen also picked up two points in the shot put with his seventh-place finish. Tharaldsen's top toss of the competition came in at 18.39 meters (60-04 ft.).
The Gophers sent a pair of competitors through the 400-meter prelims to Sunday's finals as Jonathan Webb and Jackson Wellenstein both qualified for Minnesota. Already in the 200-meter finals, Webb clocked a personal record of 46.17 to finish first in his heat and third among qualifiers. His performance now ranks sixth all-time for the Gophers. Wellenstein also led his heat and was fifth overall among qualifiers at 46.71.
Meanwhile, Chris Trotter led the Minnesota 800-meter prelim contingency with a 1:50.29 to finish 10th. Josh Tracy was 13th at 1:51.30 while Dawson LaRance finished 19th at 1:52.04 and Lucas Trapp was 20th at 1:52.70. Ben Psicihulis finished 13th in the 400-meter prelims at 47.36, Eric Walker finished 13th in the 110-meter hurdle prelims at 14.60 and Zach Nelson tied for 17th in the 100-meter prelims at 10.69.
The Gophers continue the 2018 Big Ten Outdoor Track & Field Championships on Sunday.
