University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
Gophers Announce Full 2022-23 Signing Class
7/25/2022 9:20:00 AM | Men's Cross Country, Men's Track & Field, Women's Cross Country, Women's Track & Field
MINNEAPOLIS – University of Minnesota director of track and field and cross country Matt Bingle is pleased to announce the full signing class for the 2022-23 cross country and track and field teams who have all signed National Letters of Intent or Financial Aid Tenders with the Golden Gophers.
The newest class of Gophers includes 35 talented additions coming from multiple levels from around the United States and the globe.
Hakeem Ford, Minneapolis, Minn., Minneapolis Southwest (Horizontal Jumps)
Staying home is Hakeem Ford, choosing to pursue track and field after his first season of the sport coming in 2022 where he eventually won the state meet at the AAA level. In his lone season in high school Ford also finished fourth in the long jump. In his small time in the sport Ford also ran in the 200m as well as competing in the high jump. Ford also had a stellar prep career on the basketball court, at 6-5 Ford averaged nearly 13 points per game in 24 games.
Top Marks: Triple Jump - 47-8, Long Jump - 21-10 1/4
Erik Fredrickson, St. Louis Park, Minn., Robbinsdale Armstrong HS (Sprints)
Another local talent for the Maroon and Gold comes in the form of Erik Fredrickson. At his last state track meet Fredrickson finished seventh overall in the 100m and helped his 4x100m relay team finish second overall at the AAA level.
Top Marks: 100m - 10.81, 200m - 22.06
Willem Landis, West Hartford, Ct., Hall High School/George Mason University (Distances)
Another transfer joining the Maroon and Gold is Willem Landis from George Mason. A mainstay in the Patriots cross country lineup, Landis qualified for the NCAA Southeast Region meet in 2021 and holds a 10K personal best of 32:29.7. He's second on George Mason's indoor 5000m top 10 list with a personal best of 14:27.50 that he posted last season.
Top Marks: 5K (XC) – 15:55.7, 10K (XC) – 32:29.7, 8K (XC) – 25:20.7, 5000m – 14:27.50
Hailey Anchor, Wisconsin Dells High School, Wis. (Multi Event)
Crossing the border into the great state of Minnesota is Hailey Anchor out of Wisconsin Dells High School. Talented in both the 400m and the 800m, Anchor is a multiple time top-eight finisher in the 400m in Wisconsin and finished in third in the 800m at the 2021 Wisconsin Division 2 state meet. She is a three-sport athlete, participating in cross country, basketball and track and field.
Top Marks: 800m - 2:18.82, 400m - 57.98, High Jump - 1.60m | 5-3
Ramy Ayoub, Farmington, Minn., Farmington High School (Sprints)
The 5-foot-10, 150-pound senior broke a meet record at the Class AAA state meet in the 400-meter dash this past season and his record-setting time of 47.34 seconds ranked No. 51 nationally among prep competitors in 2022 at the time of his selection. Ayoub's best 800-meter run mark of 1:51.96 at the South Suburban Conference Championship meet ranked No. 58 in the country this spring. Ayoub was the Gatorade Player of the Year in Minnesota this year, the first to be chosen from Farmington High School. Ayoub has volunteered locally on behalf of Feed My Starving Children and community beautification projects. Ayoub has maintained a weighted 3.79 GPA in the classroom.
Top Marks: 400m – 47.34, 800m – 1:51.95
Ella Pavlovich, Weston, Wis., DC Everest High School (Throws)
A WIAA state runner-up in the discus this past year, Ella Pavlovich crosses the border to join the Gophers throws group next year. She brings in a personal best of 41.45m in the event, a mark she posted this past season.
Top Marks: Discus – 41.45m (136-0)
Laubenra Ben, Brooklyn Park, Minn., Park Center High School (Sprints)
Another short sprinter signee on the women's side is Laubenra Ben. The Brooklyn Park, Minn., native brings in personal best times of 11.80 in the 100m, 24.01 in the 200m and 55.61 in the 400m. Ben will bring quality depth to the Gophers sprint group and brings in experience in big moments as the Minnesota State runner-up in 2021 in the 400m as well as the state runner-up in the 200m in 2022 and a fourth-place finish in the 100m.
Top Marks: 400m – 55.61, 100m – 11.80, 200m – 24.01
Zoie Dundon, Burnsville, Minn., Burnsville High School (Mid-Distance/Distance)
The Golden Gophers kept one of the best individual Minnesota athletes in the state with the signing of Zoie Dundon. Out of Burnsville, Minn., Dundon defended her state championship in the 800m this past season with a personal best time of 2:09.51. A year prior she had won the state title, giving Burnsville its first individual state championship in over 10 years. She also brings in great times in the 1600m at 4:58.70 and in cross country with a 5K time of 18:28.
Top Marks: 800m – 2:09.51, 1600m – 4:58.70, 5K (XC) – 18:28.00
Shane Griepentrog, Valders Wis., Valders High School (Distance)
Signing with the Gophers out of the Badger state is Shane Griepentrog of Valders High School. A talented distance runner on and off the track, Griepentrog won two more state titles this past season in the 3200m and the 1600m at the Division 2 level. His 3200m title was his second straight and his 1600m title improved on his runner-up finish from the year prior. He was also a cross country state champion, notably finishing his senior cross country season undefeated.
Top Marks: 1600m – 4:11.82, 3200m – 9:04.98, 800m – 1:58.89, 5K (XC) – 15:12.10
Tanner Klumph, Missoula, Mont., Sentinel High School (Distance)
Joining the Gophers from the Treasure State is Tanner Klumph. Specifically out of Missoula, Mont., Klumph was the all classes cross country state champion in Montana in 2021 with solid times on the track as well. On the track he brings in personal bests of 4:16 in the 1600m and 9:19 in the 3200m.
Top Marks: 5K (XC) – 15:40.70, 1600m – 4:16.26, 800m – 2:00.27, 3200m – 9:19.37
Lila Branchaw, Waunakee, Wis., Waunakee High School (Distance)
Out of Wisconsin is Lila Branchaw, a distance runner that helped her high school 3200m relay team reach the state meet this past season. She's posted a number of personal bests in her final year at the prep level including in the 3200m, the 1600m and the 800m. Her personal best individual times of 5:13.58 in the 1600m and 11:36.71 brings quality depth to the Gophers program.
Top Marks: 1600m – 5:13.58, 3200m – 11:36.71
Anna Lien, Fargo, ND, Fargo North High School (Mid-Distance/Distance)
One of Minnesota's North Dakota signees Anna Lien was a state champion in the 1600m this past season, improving her time by 10 seconds from the previous season to win the title. She also had back-to-back top five finishes at the state meet in the 800m with a personal best time of 2:16.05. She also has a 5K cross country time of 18:27 in her prep career.
Top Marks: 1600m – 5:09.66, 800m – 2:16.05, 5K (XC) – 18:27.00
Owen Lindseth, Minneapolis, Minn., Minneapolis Southwest High School (Distance)
Staying right at home is Minneapolis Southwest's Owen Lindseth. Primarily a 1600m runner, Lindseth brings in a personal best of 4:17.12 in that event. He also qualified for the 800m Class AAA state meet and finished 12th overall with a personal best time of 1:58.93.
Top Marks: 1600m – 4:17.12, 800m – 1:58.93
Jakob McCleary, Perham, Minn., Perham High School (Middle-Distance/Distance)
Another Minnesota native joins the Gophers' distance crew in the form of Jakob Mccleary. Out of Perham High School McCleary brings in personal bests of 1:55 in the 800m while also a 4:16 in the 1600m. He's a two-time state champion in the 800m and won the 1600m title this last season. He also helped his 4x400m relay team finish fifth overall by splitting an anchor leg of 50.08. McCleary was also the Minnesota Class A State Champion in cross country in 2021 and holds a personal best time of 15:48.70.
Top Marks: 800m – 1:55.03, 1600m – 4:16.38, 5K (XC) – 15:48.70
Finn McCormick, St. Paul, Minn., Nova Classical Academy (Distance)
Out of St. Paul, Minn., Finn McCormick is remaining home with the Golden Gophers. The Nova Classical Academy standout led much of the Class A state cross country championship before finishing eighth at the meet last season. On the track McCormick was the state champion in the Class A 3200m and holds a personal best time of 9:21.59. He also reached the 1600m state final this past season where he finished as the Class A runner-up in a personal best time of 4:21.13.
Top Marks: 5K (XC) – 15:47.50, 1600m – 4:21.13, 3200m – 9:21.59
Brooke Moore, Florissant, Mo., Westminster Christian Academy (Horizontal Jumps/Hurdles)
Joining the Gophers from Florissant, Mo., is Brooke Moore. A mainstay on the AAU circuit, Moore was the Missouri State Champion in the triple jump in 2021 and was a third-place finisher in the 100m hurdles and snagged a third place in the 4x200m relay with his high school squad. On the AAU circuit Moore was the 2021 AAU Junior Olympics Triple Jump Champion. She most recently posted a personal record in the triple jump of 12.80m (42-0) at the 2022 Great Southwest Track and Field Classic.
Top Marks: Triple Jump – 12.80m | 42-0, 60m Hurdles – 8.62, Long Jump – 5.72m | 18-9 ¼
Anthonette (Annie) Nabwe, Jamestown, ND, Jamestown High School (Throws)
Signing with the Gophers out of the Peace Garden State is Anthonette (Annie) Nabwe. Nabwe set the state record in the Class A Championships for shot put with a throw of 15.19m (49-10), which was top five nationally among all prep competitors. She swept the throwing events at the Class A Championships and took third place in the 100-meter dash. A year earlier Nabwe was the state champion in shot put and discus and impressively was the state runner-up in the 100m and finished third in the javelin. Her 100m also ranked sixth in North Dakota Class A high school history. Annie is a three-sport athlete, playing basketball, volleyball along with competing in track and field and maintained a 3.81 GPA in the classroom. A native of Liberia, Nabwe came to Jamestown before her freshman year of high school. A talented singer, she has performed at multiple nursing homes, and she has volunteered locally as a youth basketball and volleyball coach.
Top Marks: Shot Put – 15.19m | 49-10, Discus – 47.12m | 154-7, 100m – 12.04
Izzy Roemer, Chanhassen, Minn., Chanhassen High School (Distance)
An up and coming talent out of the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Roemer joins the Gophers out of Chanhassen, Minn. She had a breakout state meet in 2022, winning the 1600m state championship in the 1600m with a season-best time of 4:52.96 and brings in a personal best of 4:50.37. She was the state runner-up in the 3200m this past year with a personal best time of 10:24.47.
Top Marks: 1600m – 4:50.37, 3200m – 10:24.47
I'Tianna Salaam, Inver Grove Heights, Minn., De LaSalle High School (Sprints)
A talented sprinter from the state of Minnesota, I'Tianna Salaam joins the Gophers with quality times at the prep level. Salaam brings in personal bests of 12.18 in the 100m, 25.60 in the 200m and 57.94 in the 400m. Out of Inver Grove Heights, Minn., Salaam was a top five finisher for De LaSalle High School in Minneapolis at the Minnesota high school state championships.
Top Marks: 100m – 12.18, 200m – 25.60, 400m – 57.94
Diarra Sow, Horsham, United Kingdom, College of Richard Collyer (Horizontal Jumps)
Making the trip from Europe to the United State to join the Gophers is Diarra Sow out of the United Kingdom. An outstanding jumper out of Horsham, United Kingdom, Sow joins the Maroon and Gold with some serious credentials. She was the Italian U18 Championship Triple Jump Champion and earned a runner-up finish at the U20 Italian meet. Sow brings in a personal best mark in the triple Jump of 13.08m (42-11).
Top Marks: Triple Jump – 13.08m | 42-11
Hadley Streit, Saint Paul, Minn., Mounds View High School (Throws)
Remaining home to dawn the Maroon and Gold is Hadley Streit of Mounds View High School. The Minnesota state champion in the shot put in 2021, Streit posted a personal best in 2022 and finished as the runner-up with a mark of 13.13m (43-1). Streit was also a two-sport athlete, competing in volleyball.
Top Marks: Shot Put – 13.13m | 43-1
Griffin Ward, Middleton, Wis., Middleton High School (Distance)
Also joining the Golden Gophers from the state of Wisconsin is Griffin Ward out of Middleton High School. Ward made huge leaps in 2022, bringing home state titles in the 1600m and the 3200m at the Division 1 level in Wisconsin. He dropped his 1600m time six seconds to win his state title and dropped 23 seconds from 2021 in his 3200m time to win his 3200m crown. Ward also earned a fourth-place finish at the Wisconsin cross country state championships last season.
Top Marks: 1600m – 4:14.86, 3200m – 9:07.04, 5K (XC) – 15:27.40
Dan VanAcker, Scandia, Minn., Forest Lake High School (Distance)
Staying home in Minnesota is Forest Lake's Dan VanAcker. A quality distance runner, VanAcker made strong strides in 2022 by dropping his personal best time in the 1600m by 16 seconds to win the state title at the Class AAA level. He also finished fourth overall in the 3200m with a personal best time of 9:09.08, dropping his time from 9:26 in 2021. VanAcker was a third-place finisher at the state cross country meet, tying his high school's best individual finisher in school history.
Top Marks: 1600m – 4:10.27, 5K (XC) – 15:26.39, 3200m – 9:09.08
Ali Weimer, Saint Michael, Minn., Saint Michael-Albertville High School (Distance)
Minnesota kept another talented Minnesotan home in the form of Ali Weimer out of Saint Michael, Minn. The 2021 Minnesota State Champion in cross country, Weimer brings in outstanding times of 17:03 in the 5K along with a 4:49.93 in the 1600m on the track and a 10:21.41 in the 3200m. Weimer has placed among the top 10 finishers at every state meet going back to her eighth grade season and her times this past season were the fastest by any individual in the state of Minnesota in 2021. This past season on the track she finished with a bronze medal at the Class AAA 3200m final in Minnesota and finished fourth in the 1600m.
Top Marks: 5K (XC) – 17:03, 1600m – 4:49.93, 3200m – 10:21.41
Matthew Lepine, Red Bank, N.J., Middletown HS/Providence (Distances)
Minnesota will be joined by transfer Matthew Lepine who comes from Providence. Lepine was a seventh-place finisher at the BIG EAST championships in the 10000m this past season. Lepine competed at five difference BIG EAST championships in his career in the northeast between track and cross country.
Top Marks: XC 8K - 24:57.7, 10000m - 30:18.95, 5000m 14:12.43, 1500m - 3:57.29
Joseph Manser, Edina, Minn., Edina HS (Sprints)
Another stellar quartermiler will join the Maroon and Gold next season with Joseph Manser coming from Edina. Bringing in a personal best of 48.52 in the 400m Manser made a big jump his latest year which included a two and a half second improvement in his 400m time that helped him qualify for the MSHSL State Track and Field Championships. Manser qualified for the state meet in the 100m, 200m and the 400m in his final season at the prep level.
Top Marks: 100m - 10.75, 200m - 21.97, 400m - 48.52
Austin Parsons, Reading, Mass., The Pingry School/Notre Dame (Javelin)
Minnesota will be back in the javelin competition next season with Austin Parsons joining Minnesota after an outstanding career at Notre Dame. He is a three-time NCAA qualifier in javelin and narrowly missed out on his first trip to Eugene with a 13th place finish this past year. He was the ACC runner up in 2021 with a personal best throw of 70.23m (230-5) and is a three-time scorer in the event at the conference meet. He was a top 10 finisher at the New Balance Nationals as a junior at The Pingry School. He was also state runner-up in New Jersey and his father and sister also attended Notre Dame.
Top Marks: Javelin - 70.23m (230-5)
John Quigley, Omaha, Neb., Millard West/Creighton (Distances)
Joining the men's distance group from Creighton is John Quigley who holds the Bluejays outdoor 10K school record holder. Quigley is a two-time NCAA regional qualifier in cross country and was a top 50 finisher at the BIG EAST championships twice. He was a seven time state qualifier in high school in track and cross country and won the All-Metro Academic Scholar Athlete Award during his prep career.
Top Marks: 10000m - 31:19.44, 5000m - 14:44.30, 8K - 24:40.2, 6K - 18:48.6
Isaiah Schafer, Pewamo, Mich., Pewamo-Westphalia/Davenport (Throws)
Joining the throws group is Isaiah Schafer from Davenport University where he won the NCAA Division II National Championship both indoors and outdoors this past season the shot put with a mark of 19.89m (65-3 1/4). Schafer's throw was the eighth-best throw in Division II history and was paired with his sixth-place finish in the discus event to earn two First Team All-American honors in 2022. In 2021 Schafer was a CoSIDA Second Team Academic All-American, becoming the first male track and field athlete to earn the distinction.
Top Marks: Shot Put - 19.89m (65-3 1/4), Discus - 53.89m (176-10), Hammer - 58.48m (191-10)
Laurenz Waldbauer, Vilsbiburg, Germany, Maximilian von Montgelas Gymnasium/Northwest Nazarene University (Javelin)
Another outstanding Division II talent joining the Maroon and Gold next year with be Laurenz Waldbauer from Northwest Nazarene University. Waldbauer will focus on the javelin throw where he was a conference champion last season as a freshman as well as a Second Team All-American with a 13th place finish at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships. His 72.38m (237-6) career-best throw came just in April and will propel Minnesota's javelin group to one of the best in the Big Ten.
Top Marks: Javelin - 72.38m (237-6)
Meredith Smith, Minneapolis, Minn., Minneapolis Southwest (Multis)
Another All-State performer is staying home with Meredith Smith coming to the Gophers from Minneapolis Southwest. A section champion in the high jump, Smith finished fifth overall in the high jump at the state meet this past season and helped her team finish seventh as a member of the 4x200m relay team. Smith also won a conference title in the high jump, and won the Section 6AAA True Team title in the high jump as well.
Top Marks: High Jump - 1.68m (5-6)
Dyandra Gray, Manchester, Jamaica, Holmwood Technical/Iowa Western CC (Sprints/Jumps)
A big-time junior college transfer is joining the Gophers next season with Dyandra Gray coming from Iowa Western CC. She qualified for the NJCAA final in both the 60m hurdles and 100m hurdles this past season, which included a third-place finish in the 60m hurdles final with a personal best time of 8.37. She also was a finalist in the 200m indoors, finishing eighth overall and qualified for the 400m hurdles final two years in a row with a personal-best finish of second in 2021. Gray was also a member of the team's 4x400m relay national championship team that helped her overall team win back-to-back NJCAA National Championships.
Top Marks: 60m hurdles - 8.37, 100m hurdles - 13.30w (+3.2), 400m Hurdles - 1:00.18, 200m - 24.64
Elsa Bergman, Hopkins, Minn., Hopkins HS (Mid-Distance/Distances)
Minnesota gained depth in its middle distances with the addition of Elsa Bergman. A local product, Bergman holds a personal best time of 2:21.93 in the 800m where she was a top five finisher in her conference meet last season. She also finished as the bronze medalist in the 1600m at the Lake Conference Championships in a time of 5:08.86 and eventually finished fifth at the MSHSL Section 6AAA Championships.
Top Marks: 800m - 2:21.93, 1600m - 5:08.86, 3200m - 11:16.70
Alliyah McNeil, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, St. Elizabeth Technical HS/Iowa Western CC (Sprints/Jumps)
A NJCAA national champion comes to the Maroon and Gold once again by way of Jamaica with Alliyah McNeil. McNeil blossomed on the big-stage back in May winning the national championship in the high jump with a personal best mark of 1.82m (5-11 1/2) and also finished as the national runner-up in the long jump with a personal best wind-legal mark of 6.45m (21-2). McNeil, who spent two seasons at Iowa Western CC, helped her team win back-to-back national outdoor team championships and won three championships herself between indoor and outdoor in those two years.
Top Marks: High Jump - 1.82m | 5-11 1/2, 400m - 57.51, Long Jump - 6.45m | 21-2
Michael Buchanan, Westmoreland, Jamaica, St. Elizabeth Technical HS/Iowa Western CC (Jumps/Hurdles)
A NJCAA All-American, Buchanan joins the Gophers as one of the top juco high hurdles in the nation. He's a two-time finalist in the 110m hurdles at the NJCAA outdoor championships and was a sixth-place finisher at the 2022 indoor meet in the 60m hurdles. He also was one of the top long jumpers, finishing third both indoors and outdoors last season while finishing as the runner-up indoors in 2021.
Top Marks: Long Jump – 7.70m (25-3 1/4), 110m hurdles – 13.91, 60m hurdles – 7.80
The newest class of Gophers includes 35 talented additions coming from multiple levels from around the United States and the globe.
Hakeem Ford, Minneapolis, Minn., Minneapolis Southwest (Horizontal Jumps)
Staying home is Hakeem Ford, choosing to pursue track and field after his first season of the sport coming in 2022 where he eventually won the state meet at the AAA level. In his lone season in high school Ford also finished fourth in the long jump. In his small time in the sport Ford also ran in the 200m as well as competing in the high jump. Ford also had a stellar prep career on the basketball court, at 6-5 Ford averaged nearly 13 points per game in 24 games.
Top Marks: Triple Jump - 47-8, Long Jump - 21-10 1/4
Erik Fredrickson, St. Louis Park, Minn., Robbinsdale Armstrong HS (Sprints)
Another local talent for the Maroon and Gold comes in the form of Erik Fredrickson. At his last state track meet Fredrickson finished seventh overall in the 100m and helped his 4x100m relay team finish second overall at the AAA level.
Top Marks: 100m - 10.81, 200m - 22.06
Willem Landis, West Hartford, Ct., Hall High School/George Mason University (Distances)
Another transfer joining the Maroon and Gold is Willem Landis from George Mason. A mainstay in the Patriots cross country lineup, Landis qualified for the NCAA Southeast Region meet in 2021 and holds a 10K personal best of 32:29.7. He's second on George Mason's indoor 5000m top 10 list with a personal best of 14:27.50 that he posted last season.
Top Marks: 5K (XC) – 15:55.7, 10K (XC) – 32:29.7, 8K (XC) – 25:20.7, 5000m – 14:27.50
Hailey Anchor, Wisconsin Dells High School, Wis. (Multi Event)
Crossing the border into the great state of Minnesota is Hailey Anchor out of Wisconsin Dells High School. Talented in both the 400m and the 800m, Anchor is a multiple time top-eight finisher in the 400m in Wisconsin and finished in third in the 800m at the 2021 Wisconsin Division 2 state meet. She is a three-sport athlete, participating in cross country, basketball and track and field.
Top Marks: 800m - 2:18.82, 400m - 57.98, High Jump - 1.60m | 5-3
Ramy Ayoub, Farmington, Minn., Farmington High School (Sprints)
The 5-foot-10, 150-pound senior broke a meet record at the Class AAA state meet in the 400-meter dash this past season and his record-setting time of 47.34 seconds ranked No. 51 nationally among prep competitors in 2022 at the time of his selection. Ayoub's best 800-meter run mark of 1:51.96 at the South Suburban Conference Championship meet ranked No. 58 in the country this spring. Ayoub was the Gatorade Player of the Year in Minnesota this year, the first to be chosen from Farmington High School. Ayoub has volunteered locally on behalf of Feed My Starving Children and community beautification projects. Ayoub has maintained a weighted 3.79 GPA in the classroom.
Top Marks: 400m – 47.34, 800m – 1:51.95
Ella Pavlovich, Weston, Wis., DC Everest High School (Throws)
A WIAA state runner-up in the discus this past year, Ella Pavlovich crosses the border to join the Gophers throws group next year. She brings in a personal best of 41.45m in the event, a mark she posted this past season.
Top Marks: Discus – 41.45m (136-0)
Laubenra Ben, Brooklyn Park, Minn., Park Center High School (Sprints)
Another short sprinter signee on the women's side is Laubenra Ben. The Brooklyn Park, Minn., native brings in personal best times of 11.80 in the 100m, 24.01 in the 200m and 55.61 in the 400m. Ben will bring quality depth to the Gophers sprint group and brings in experience in big moments as the Minnesota State runner-up in 2021 in the 400m as well as the state runner-up in the 200m in 2022 and a fourth-place finish in the 100m.
Top Marks: 400m – 55.61, 100m – 11.80, 200m – 24.01
Zoie Dundon, Burnsville, Minn., Burnsville High School (Mid-Distance/Distance)
The Golden Gophers kept one of the best individual Minnesota athletes in the state with the signing of Zoie Dundon. Out of Burnsville, Minn., Dundon defended her state championship in the 800m this past season with a personal best time of 2:09.51. A year prior she had won the state title, giving Burnsville its first individual state championship in over 10 years. She also brings in great times in the 1600m at 4:58.70 and in cross country with a 5K time of 18:28.
Top Marks: 800m – 2:09.51, 1600m – 4:58.70, 5K (XC) – 18:28.00
Shane Griepentrog, Valders Wis., Valders High School (Distance)
Signing with the Gophers out of the Badger state is Shane Griepentrog of Valders High School. A talented distance runner on and off the track, Griepentrog won two more state titles this past season in the 3200m and the 1600m at the Division 2 level. His 3200m title was his second straight and his 1600m title improved on his runner-up finish from the year prior. He was also a cross country state champion, notably finishing his senior cross country season undefeated.
Top Marks: 1600m – 4:11.82, 3200m – 9:04.98, 800m – 1:58.89, 5K (XC) – 15:12.10
Tanner Klumph, Missoula, Mont., Sentinel High School (Distance)
Joining the Gophers from the Treasure State is Tanner Klumph. Specifically out of Missoula, Mont., Klumph was the all classes cross country state champion in Montana in 2021 with solid times on the track as well. On the track he brings in personal bests of 4:16 in the 1600m and 9:19 in the 3200m.
Top Marks: 5K (XC) – 15:40.70, 1600m – 4:16.26, 800m – 2:00.27, 3200m – 9:19.37
Lila Branchaw, Waunakee, Wis., Waunakee High School (Distance)
Out of Wisconsin is Lila Branchaw, a distance runner that helped her high school 3200m relay team reach the state meet this past season. She's posted a number of personal bests in her final year at the prep level including in the 3200m, the 1600m and the 800m. Her personal best individual times of 5:13.58 in the 1600m and 11:36.71 brings quality depth to the Gophers program.
Top Marks: 1600m – 5:13.58, 3200m – 11:36.71
Anna Lien, Fargo, ND, Fargo North High School (Mid-Distance/Distance)
One of Minnesota's North Dakota signees Anna Lien was a state champion in the 1600m this past season, improving her time by 10 seconds from the previous season to win the title. She also had back-to-back top five finishes at the state meet in the 800m with a personal best time of 2:16.05. She also has a 5K cross country time of 18:27 in her prep career.
Top Marks: 1600m – 5:09.66, 800m – 2:16.05, 5K (XC) – 18:27.00
Owen Lindseth, Minneapolis, Minn., Minneapolis Southwest High School (Distance)
Staying right at home is Minneapolis Southwest's Owen Lindseth. Primarily a 1600m runner, Lindseth brings in a personal best of 4:17.12 in that event. He also qualified for the 800m Class AAA state meet and finished 12th overall with a personal best time of 1:58.93.
Top Marks: 1600m – 4:17.12, 800m – 1:58.93
Jakob McCleary, Perham, Minn., Perham High School (Middle-Distance/Distance)
Another Minnesota native joins the Gophers' distance crew in the form of Jakob Mccleary. Out of Perham High School McCleary brings in personal bests of 1:55 in the 800m while also a 4:16 in the 1600m. He's a two-time state champion in the 800m and won the 1600m title this last season. He also helped his 4x400m relay team finish fifth overall by splitting an anchor leg of 50.08. McCleary was also the Minnesota Class A State Champion in cross country in 2021 and holds a personal best time of 15:48.70.
Top Marks: 800m – 1:55.03, 1600m – 4:16.38, 5K (XC) – 15:48.70
Finn McCormick, St. Paul, Minn., Nova Classical Academy (Distance)
Out of St. Paul, Minn., Finn McCormick is remaining home with the Golden Gophers. The Nova Classical Academy standout led much of the Class A state cross country championship before finishing eighth at the meet last season. On the track McCormick was the state champion in the Class A 3200m and holds a personal best time of 9:21.59. He also reached the 1600m state final this past season where he finished as the Class A runner-up in a personal best time of 4:21.13.
Top Marks: 5K (XC) – 15:47.50, 1600m – 4:21.13, 3200m – 9:21.59
Brooke Moore, Florissant, Mo., Westminster Christian Academy (Horizontal Jumps/Hurdles)
Joining the Gophers from Florissant, Mo., is Brooke Moore. A mainstay on the AAU circuit, Moore was the Missouri State Champion in the triple jump in 2021 and was a third-place finisher in the 100m hurdles and snagged a third place in the 4x200m relay with his high school squad. On the AAU circuit Moore was the 2021 AAU Junior Olympics Triple Jump Champion. She most recently posted a personal record in the triple jump of 12.80m (42-0) at the 2022 Great Southwest Track and Field Classic.
Top Marks: Triple Jump – 12.80m | 42-0, 60m Hurdles – 8.62, Long Jump – 5.72m | 18-9 ¼
Anthonette (Annie) Nabwe, Jamestown, ND, Jamestown High School (Throws)
Signing with the Gophers out of the Peace Garden State is Anthonette (Annie) Nabwe. Nabwe set the state record in the Class A Championships for shot put with a throw of 15.19m (49-10), which was top five nationally among all prep competitors. She swept the throwing events at the Class A Championships and took third place in the 100-meter dash. A year earlier Nabwe was the state champion in shot put and discus and impressively was the state runner-up in the 100m and finished third in the javelin. Her 100m also ranked sixth in North Dakota Class A high school history. Annie is a three-sport athlete, playing basketball, volleyball along with competing in track and field and maintained a 3.81 GPA in the classroom. A native of Liberia, Nabwe came to Jamestown before her freshman year of high school. A talented singer, she has performed at multiple nursing homes, and she has volunteered locally as a youth basketball and volleyball coach.
Top Marks: Shot Put – 15.19m | 49-10, Discus – 47.12m | 154-7, 100m – 12.04
Izzy Roemer, Chanhassen, Minn., Chanhassen High School (Distance)
An up and coming talent out of the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Roemer joins the Gophers out of Chanhassen, Minn. She had a breakout state meet in 2022, winning the 1600m state championship in the 1600m with a season-best time of 4:52.96 and brings in a personal best of 4:50.37. She was the state runner-up in the 3200m this past year with a personal best time of 10:24.47.
Top Marks: 1600m – 4:50.37, 3200m – 10:24.47
I'Tianna Salaam, Inver Grove Heights, Minn., De LaSalle High School (Sprints)
A talented sprinter from the state of Minnesota, I'Tianna Salaam joins the Gophers with quality times at the prep level. Salaam brings in personal bests of 12.18 in the 100m, 25.60 in the 200m and 57.94 in the 400m. Out of Inver Grove Heights, Minn., Salaam was a top five finisher for De LaSalle High School in Minneapolis at the Minnesota high school state championships.
Top Marks: 100m – 12.18, 200m – 25.60, 400m – 57.94
Diarra Sow, Horsham, United Kingdom, College of Richard Collyer (Horizontal Jumps)
Making the trip from Europe to the United State to join the Gophers is Diarra Sow out of the United Kingdom. An outstanding jumper out of Horsham, United Kingdom, Sow joins the Maroon and Gold with some serious credentials. She was the Italian U18 Championship Triple Jump Champion and earned a runner-up finish at the U20 Italian meet. Sow brings in a personal best mark in the triple Jump of 13.08m (42-11).
Top Marks: Triple Jump – 13.08m | 42-11
Hadley Streit, Saint Paul, Minn., Mounds View High School (Throws)
Remaining home to dawn the Maroon and Gold is Hadley Streit of Mounds View High School. The Minnesota state champion in the shot put in 2021, Streit posted a personal best in 2022 and finished as the runner-up with a mark of 13.13m (43-1). Streit was also a two-sport athlete, competing in volleyball.
Top Marks: Shot Put – 13.13m | 43-1
Griffin Ward, Middleton, Wis., Middleton High School (Distance)
Also joining the Golden Gophers from the state of Wisconsin is Griffin Ward out of Middleton High School. Ward made huge leaps in 2022, bringing home state titles in the 1600m and the 3200m at the Division 1 level in Wisconsin. He dropped his 1600m time six seconds to win his state title and dropped 23 seconds from 2021 in his 3200m time to win his 3200m crown. Ward also earned a fourth-place finish at the Wisconsin cross country state championships last season.
Top Marks: 1600m – 4:14.86, 3200m – 9:07.04, 5K (XC) – 15:27.40
Dan VanAcker, Scandia, Minn., Forest Lake High School (Distance)
Staying home in Minnesota is Forest Lake's Dan VanAcker. A quality distance runner, VanAcker made strong strides in 2022 by dropping his personal best time in the 1600m by 16 seconds to win the state title at the Class AAA level. He also finished fourth overall in the 3200m with a personal best time of 9:09.08, dropping his time from 9:26 in 2021. VanAcker was a third-place finisher at the state cross country meet, tying his high school's best individual finisher in school history.
Top Marks: 1600m – 4:10.27, 5K (XC) – 15:26.39, 3200m – 9:09.08
Ali Weimer, Saint Michael, Minn., Saint Michael-Albertville High School (Distance)
Minnesota kept another talented Minnesotan home in the form of Ali Weimer out of Saint Michael, Minn. The 2021 Minnesota State Champion in cross country, Weimer brings in outstanding times of 17:03 in the 5K along with a 4:49.93 in the 1600m on the track and a 10:21.41 in the 3200m. Weimer has placed among the top 10 finishers at every state meet going back to her eighth grade season and her times this past season were the fastest by any individual in the state of Minnesota in 2021. This past season on the track she finished with a bronze medal at the Class AAA 3200m final in Minnesota and finished fourth in the 1600m.
Top Marks: 5K (XC) – 17:03, 1600m – 4:49.93, 3200m – 10:21.41
Matthew Lepine, Red Bank, N.J., Middletown HS/Providence (Distances)
Minnesota will be joined by transfer Matthew Lepine who comes from Providence. Lepine was a seventh-place finisher at the BIG EAST championships in the 10000m this past season. Lepine competed at five difference BIG EAST championships in his career in the northeast between track and cross country.
Top Marks: XC 8K - 24:57.7, 10000m - 30:18.95, 5000m 14:12.43, 1500m - 3:57.29
Joseph Manser, Edina, Minn., Edina HS (Sprints)
Another stellar quartermiler will join the Maroon and Gold next season with Joseph Manser coming from Edina. Bringing in a personal best of 48.52 in the 400m Manser made a big jump his latest year which included a two and a half second improvement in his 400m time that helped him qualify for the MSHSL State Track and Field Championships. Manser qualified for the state meet in the 100m, 200m and the 400m in his final season at the prep level.
Top Marks: 100m - 10.75, 200m - 21.97, 400m - 48.52
Austin Parsons, Reading, Mass., The Pingry School/Notre Dame (Javelin)
Minnesota will be back in the javelin competition next season with Austin Parsons joining Minnesota after an outstanding career at Notre Dame. He is a three-time NCAA qualifier in javelin and narrowly missed out on his first trip to Eugene with a 13th place finish this past year. He was the ACC runner up in 2021 with a personal best throw of 70.23m (230-5) and is a three-time scorer in the event at the conference meet. He was a top 10 finisher at the New Balance Nationals as a junior at The Pingry School. He was also state runner-up in New Jersey and his father and sister also attended Notre Dame.
Top Marks: Javelin - 70.23m (230-5)
John Quigley, Omaha, Neb., Millard West/Creighton (Distances)
Joining the men's distance group from Creighton is John Quigley who holds the Bluejays outdoor 10K school record holder. Quigley is a two-time NCAA regional qualifier in cross country and was a top 50 finisher at the BIG EAST championships twice. He was a seven time state qualifier in high school in track and cross country and won the All-Metro Academic Scholar Athlete Award during his prep career.
Top Marks: 10000m - 31:19.44, 5000m - 14:44.30, 8K - 24:40.2, 6K - 18:48.6
Isaiah Schafer, Pewamo, Mich., Pewamo-Westphalia/Davenport (Throws)
Joining the throws group is Isaiah Schafer from Davenport University where he won the NCAA Division II National Championship both indoors and outdoors this past season the shot put with a mark of 19.89m (65-3 1/4). Schafer's throw was the eighth-best throw in Division II history and was paired with his sixth-place finish in the discus event to earn two First Team All-American honors in 2022. In 2021 Schafer was a CoSIDA Second Team Academic All-American, becoming the first male track and field athlete to earn the distinction.
Top Marks: Shot Put - 19.89m (65-3 1/4), Discus - 53.89m (176-10), Hammer - 58.48m (191-10)
Laurenz Waldbauer, Vilsbiburg, Germany, Maximilian von Montgelas Gymnasium/Northwest Nazarene University (Javelin)
Another outstanding Division II talent joining the Maroon and Gold next year with be Laurenz Waldbauer from Northwest Nazarene University. Waldbauer will focus on the javelin throw where he was a conference champion last season as a freshman as well as a Second Team All-American with a 13th place finish at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships. His 72.38m (237-6) career-best throw came just in April and will propel Minnesota's javelin group to one of the best in the Big Ten.
Top Marks: Javelin - 72.38m (237-6)
Meredith Smith, Minneapolis, Minn., Minneapolis Southwest (Multis)
Another All-State performer is staying home with Meredith Smith coming to the Gophers from Minneapolis Southwest. A section champion in the high jump, Smith finished fifth overall in the high jump at the state meet this past season and helped her team finish seventh as a member of the 4x200m relay team. Smith also won a conference title in the high jump, and won the Section 6AAA True Team title in the high jump as well.
Top Marks: High Jump - 1.68m (5-6)
Dyandra Gray, Manchester, Jamaica, Holmwood Technical/Iowa Western CC (Sprints/Jumps)
A big-time junior college transfer is joining the Gophers next season with Dyandra Gray coming from Iowa Western CC. She qualified for the NJCAA final in both the 60m hurdles and 100m hurdles this past season, which included a third-place finish in the 60m hurdles final with a personal best time of 8.37. She also was a finalist in the 200m indoors, finishing eighth overall and qualified for the 400m hurdles final two years in a row with a personal-best finish of second in 2021. Gray was also a member of the team's 4x400m relay national championship team that helped her overall team win back-to-back NJCAA National Championships.
Top Marks: 60m hurdles - 8.37, 100m hurdles - 13.30w (+3.2), 400m Hurdles - 1:00.18, 200m - 24.64
Elsa Bergman, Hopkins, Minn., Hopkins HS (Mid-Distance/Distances)
Minnesota gained depth in its middle distances with the addition of Elsa Bergman. A local product, Bergman holds a personal best time of 2:21.93 in the 800m where she was a top five finisher in her conference meet last season. She also finished as the bronze medalist in the 1600m at the Lake Conference Championships in a time of 5:08.86 and eventually finished fifth at the MSHSL Section 6AAA Championships.
Top Marks: 800m - 2:21.93, 1600m - 5:08.86, 3200m - 11:16.70
Alliyah McNeil, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, St. Elizabeth Technical HS/Iowa Western CC (Sprints/Jumps)
A NJCAA national champion comes to the Maroon and Gold once again by way of Jamaica with Alliyah McNeil. McNeil blossomed on the big-stage back in May winning the national championship in the high jump with a personal best mark of 1.82m (5-11 1/2) and also finished as the national runner-up in the long jump with a personal best wind-legal mark of 6.45m (21-2). McNeil, who spent two seasons at Iowa Western CC, helped her team win back-to-back national outdoor team championships and won three championships herself between indoor and outdoor in those two years.
Top Marks: High Jump - 1.82m | 5-11 1/2, 400m - 57.51, Long Jump - 6.45m | 21-2
Michael Buchanan, Westmoreland, Jamaica, St. Elizabeth Technical HS/Iowa Western CC (Jumps/Hurdles)
A NJCAA All-American, Buchanan joins the Gophers as one of the top juco high hurdles in the nation. He's a two-time finalist in the 110m hurdles at the NJCAA outdoor championships and was a sixth-place finisher at the 2022 indoor meet in the 60m hurdles. He also was one of the top long jumpers, finishing third both indoors and outdoors last season while finishing as the runner-up indoors in 2021.
Top Marks: Long Jump – 7.70m (25-3 1/4), 110m hurdles – 13.91, 60m hurdles – 7.80
CHS Home Grown Gophers: Emmett Gerres
Friday, September 05
The Greek Freak of Minnesota
Friday, July 18
Gophers Finish 1-2 in Hammer Throw
Monday, June 16
Mantzouranis Earns NCAA Silver Medal
Thursday, June 12