University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Announce 2023-24 Signing Class of 30 Student-Athletes
7/19/2023 9:41:00 AM | Men's Cross Country, Men's Track & Field, Women's Cross Country, Women's Track & Field
The class features athletes from five countries and eight different states.
MINNEAPOLIS – University of Minnesota director of track and field and cross country Matt Bingle is pleased to announce the signing class for the 2023-24 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 30 talented additions coming from multiple levels from around the United States and the globe.
MEN'S SIGNEES:
Charles Godfred, Ukana Mkpa Eyop, Nigeria (Sprints/Jumps)
One of the most talented young athletes in the country of Nigeria, Charles Godfred is bringing some incredible marks to the Twin Cities. In 2023 the Nigerian dropped a 100m time of 10.96 (+0.2 m/s wind) along with a long jump of 7.86m (25-9 1/2). He won the African U20 Championship in the long jump with his lifetime best and finished third in the 100m at the 3rd African Golden League meet at Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, the federal capital territory of Nigeria.
Top Marks: 100m – 10.42, Long Jump – 7.86m (25-9 1/2)
Angelos Mantzouranis, Athens, Greece (Throws)
One of the best young hammer throw talents in the world will be attending the University of Minnesota this fall. Angelos Mantzouranis is fresh off a fourth-place finish at the Greece Senior National Championships at just 19 years of age where he threw a lifetime best 70.71m (232-0) with the senior level weight (7.26 kilograms). Mantzouranis in 2023 is undefeated at the six-kilogram hammer throw weight, which is the weight that the junior level uses in the event and holds a lifetime best mark of 78.30m (256-11).
Top Marks: Hammer – 70.71m (232-0)
Cameron Stocke, Virginia, Minn., Rock Ridge (Mid-Distance/Distance)
Cameron Stocke, another stellar local product, is joining the Golden Gophers in the 2023-24 signing class out of Rock Ridge. The three-time state champion won his first career double this past season winning the 800m and the 1600m at the Class AA state track meet at St. Michael-Albertville High School. Stocke's winning times of 1:52.79 (800m) and 4:11.25 (1600m) both are new class records. Stocke was also the state runner-up in the 5000m during the cross country season in 2022 and holds a personal best time of 15:22.30 that he set at the NXR Heartland Regional Championships where he finished 25th.
Top Marks: 800m – 1:52.79, 1600m – 4:11.25
Emmett Gerres, Belle Plaine, Minn., Belle Plaine High School (Distance)
Staying home is the 2023 Class AA Minnesota State Champion in the 3200m, Emmett Gerres. Breaking the meet record in a time of 9:03.72, Gerres' time was also a lifetime best in the event by almost 14 seconds. Gerres' state title was the first of his career and followed it up with a runner-up finish in the 1600m. The year prior Gerres was the state runner-up in both the 1600m and the 800m. The talented local product also was the state's cross country champion at the 5000m distance in 2022. He led the boys program to their first appearance at the state cross country meet in history and led them to a seventh-place finish.
Top Marks: XC 5000m – 15:07.30, 800m – 1:53.12, 1500m 3:57.39, 1600m – 4:12.67, 3200m – 9:03.72
Aidan Jones, Minneapolis, Minn., Minneapolis Washburn (Distance)
The first individual boys champion from a Minneapolis public school since Minnesota legend Hassan Mead is following Mead's footsteps to the University of Minnesota. Aidan Jones of Minneapolis Washburn, who was the first to achieve the feat since 2006, was also named the Star Tribune Metro Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year in 2022. He then finished 14th at the CHAMPS Midwest Regional XC Championships and was sixth at the NXR Heartland Regional Championships in a lifetime best time of 15:01.20.
ARTICLE: https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-high-school-boys-cross-country-runner-of-the-year-aidan-jones-minneapolis-washburn/600233776/
Top Marks: XC 5000m – 15:01.20, 1500m – 3:55.77, 3200m – 8:54.48
Kashief King, Cochrane Village, Trinidad & Tobago, Naparima Boys College/Illinois (Sprints)
Joining the Maroon and Gold via the transfer portal is Kashief King, an All-Big Ten sprinter from Illinois. The graduate transfer joins Minnesota after the best season of his college career in 2023 where he posted lifetime bests in both the 200m and 400m while being a part of the Big Ten Championship 4x400m relay indoor team as well as running a leg on the silver medal 4x400m relay outdoor team. Individually King reached one Big Ten 400m final in his career.
Top Marks: 400m – 46.88, 200m – 20.88, 100m – 10.52
Spencer Brown, New Milford, Conn., Immaculate High School/Ole Miss (Hurdles)
The men's squad will have a strong 110m hurdles crew next season with the addition of Spencer Brown, a graduate transfer from Ole Miss. The SEC product narrowly missed the SEC final in the hurdles last season, finishing 10th. He qualified for the NCAA East Regional in 2022 in the high hurdles and also participated on the Rebels 4x100m relay team a pair of times last season. NOTE: Brown is eligible to represent Croatia in national representative competitions.
Top Marks: 110mH - 13.75
Mateo Alvarado Venegas, Sun Prairie, Wis., Sun Prairie West (Distance)
Jumping the border from Wisconsin is Mateo Alvarado Venegas of Sun Prairie. An All-State performer in cross country, Alvarado Venegas also brings in talented times in the 1600m and 3200m at the prep level. After his school split into two districts during his high school career Alvarado Venegas is the school's record holder in the 5000m and most recently finished fifth in the 3200m at the WIAA Division I Sectional and sixth in the 1600m.
Top Marks: XC 5000m – 15:26.20, 3200m – 9:11.71, 1600m – 4:20.21
Jordan Dunigan, Woodbury, Minn., Woodbury High School (Throws)
A talented all-around athlete Jordan Dunnigan joins the Maroon and Gold as a future member of the throws group in Dinkytown. The Woodbury, Minn., native boasts a discus personal best of 55.71m (182-9) along with a personal best of 16.64m (54-7) in the shot put (12 lbs.). He was undefeated throughout his latest prep season in the discus before finishing seventh at the MSHSL State Track and Field Championships where he also finished eighth in the shot put. Dunigan also was a talented defensive lineman for Woodbury at 6-foot 6-inches, Dunigan was listed at 255-pounds in high school and helped his team reach the Class 6A second round in 2022.
Top Marks: Discus – 55.71m (182-9), Shot Put – 16.64m (54-7)
Dante White, Plymouth, Minn., Wayzata High School/North Dakota State University (Sprints/Jumps)
Returning to his home state Dante White comes to Minnesota via the transfer portal from NDSU. White was a two-time Summit League medalist in his three seasons in Fargo. He was the conference silver medalist in the 100m in 2023 and was the bronze medalist in the long jump, posting two lifetime bests at the meet to earn conference honors.
Top Marks: 100m – 10.48, 200m – 21.74, Long Jump – 7.14m | 23-5 1/4
Aaron Leavens, Snohomish, Wash., Snohomish High School/BYU (Distance)
Minnesota will welcome another graduate transfer in Aaron Leavens from BYU for the next season. Leavens comes to Dinkytown with experience in the 5000m and the 10000m events. He did not compete this past athletic season but was a top eight finisher at the 2022 Mt. SAC Relays in the 10000m where he posted a lifetime best time of 29:18.10. At the prep level he was a two-time All-State performer, once as a cross country runner and once on the track as well as being a three-time Snohomish cross country Hardest Worker Award recipient.
Top Marks: 10000m – 29:18.10, 5000m – 14:16.88
Ahmed Khadar, Osseo, Minn., Osseo High School
Minnesota will welcome local talent Ahmed Khadar from Osseo High School, a 400m specialist who completed just his second year of track and field at the prep level. Khadar was a fourth-place finisher at the 2023 MSHSL State Track and Field Championships in his second season in the sport and holds a personal best time of 48.81 that he set in the preliminary rounds this past season.
Top Marks: 400m – 48.81
WOMEN'S SIGNEES:
Brooke Jaworski, Wausau, Wis., Wausau West/Texas (Mid-Distance)
A native of Wausau, Wis., Jaworski returns to the Midwest after a successful career in Austin, Texas. She won individual Big 12 titles in the 600-yard event at the 2020 Big 12 Indoor Championships, the 800m indoor title in 2021 and the 400m hurdles title at the 2021 Big 12 Outdoor Championships. Jaworski also claimed titles in 2020 as a member of the Longhorns 4x400m relay team and the team's Distance Medley Relay squad. Additionally, Jaworski is a three-time NCAA All-American, twice individually in the 800m, earning a Second Team distinction in 2022. Most recently Jaworski posted the No. 6 time in Texas history in the outdoor 800m in a time of 2:03.57 at the NCAA West Regional. She also held the school's 800m program record indoors at 2:03.87 and now sits at the No. 2 spot. She's also a part of the Longhorn's No. 2 performances in both the Distance Medley Relay (2020) and the Sprint Medley Relay (2022).
Top Marks: 800m – 2:03.57, 400m – 54.29
Sofia Condon, Andover, Minn., Anoka High School (Pole Vault)
Minnesota is excited to welcome the Class AAA back-to-back Minnesota state pole vault champion in Sofia Condon of Anoka High School. Condon continued to improve her senior campaign and reached as high as 4.08m (13-4 3/4) during the 2023 season. Condon competed at countless USATF meets including the USATF Region 8 Junior Olympic Championships in July.
Top Marks: Pole Vault – 4.08m (13-4 3/4)
Kennedy Martinson, Minneapolis, Minn., Coon Rapids (Pole Vault/Multi Event)
An all-around athlete, Martinson is joining the Maroon and Gold via Coon Rapids and has had success at the prep level at both the pole vault and hurdles. Martinson was the Minnesota Class AAA runner-up in both the pole vault and the 100m hurdles. In the pole vault she came up just short against fellow Minnesota signee Sofia Condon. Martinson the year prior in 2022 was the bronze medalist in both the pole vault and the 100m hurdles.
Top Marks: Pole Vault - 3.68m (12-1), 100m Hurdles - 13.94
Autumn Glover, Novi, Mich., South Lyon East/Michigan State (Multi Event)
The University of Minnesota will welcome an inter-conference transfer with Autumn Glover joining Minnesota after three seasons in East Lansing at Michigan State. In 2023 Glover completed her first full season as a multi, finishing ninth at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships with 4907 points. She holds quality marks in the long jump at 5.85m (19-2 1/2) as well as the 800m at 2:27.67. At the prep level Glover was a standout at South Lyon East where she was the MHSAA LP Finals Division I bronze medalist in the long jump in 2019.
Top Marks: Heptathlon – 4907 points, Long Jump – 5.85m (19-2 1/2)
Grace Weber, Plymouth, Minn., Wayzata High School (Mid-Distance)
Another Wayzata standout is joining the 'U', the latest being Grace Weber. A multi-sport athlete, Weber played basketball along with running cross country and competing in track and field. She won two state titles at the 2023 MSHSL State Track and Field Championships in the 800m as well as the 4x400m relay. Her team also set a state record in the 4x800m relay with a time of 8:59.04 at the Lake Conference Championships. Weber also posted quality performances in the 400m (56.87) and the long jump (5.41m | 17-9). Weber's cross country career was highlighted by a team title in 2022 with Weber finishing 38th overall and having a lifetime best 5000m time of 18:13.60.
Top Marks: 800m – 2:10.44, 5000m – 18:13.60, Long Jump – 5.41m (17-9)
Hannah Drietz, Brainerd, Minn., Brainerd High School (Distance)
Joining the track and field and cross country world late, Hannah Drietz joins the Golden Gophers out of Brainerd, Minn., after starting her career in just her junior year of high school. Drietz led Brainerd to a Roy Griak Invitational team title in 2022 with Drietz finishing third overall. Later in the cross country season Drietz continued to improve and won the MSHSL Section 8AAA Championships and then raced to a 17-place finish at the MSHSL Class AAA State Championships in a lifetime best 5000m time of 18:34.50. On the track Drietz primarily competed in the 3200m and 1600m.
Top Marks: XC 5000m – 18:34.50, 3200m – 11:38.54, 1600m – 5:33.64
Lauren Triarsi, Westfield, N.J., Westfield High School (Multi Event)
Coming over from the University of Vermont is Lauren Triarsi, a multi event student-athlete. A graduate transfer Triarsi joins with a heptathlon lifetime best of 4601 points which helped her claim the 2023 America East Outdoor Championships back in May of 2023. She holds quality marks in the 100m hurdles (14.45), the 200m (25.62) as well as the long jump (5.57m | 18-3 1/4).
Top Marks: Heptathlon – 4601 points, Pentathlon – 3511 points, 100mH – 14.45
Isabelle Schmidt, Rice Lake, Wis., Rice Lake High School (Throws)
Coming across the Wisconsin-Minnesota border is Isabelle Schmidt of Rice Lake. Schmidt was the 2023 WIAA D2 State Track and Field runner-up in the shot put and posted a lifetime best in the event at the regional meet back in May. Schmidt was also the state runner-up at the indoor state meet and was a three-time state finalist in the shot put outdoors.
Top Marks: Shot Put – 13.93m (45-8 1/2)
Shayna Hinds, Temecula, Calif., Great Oak (Pole Vault)
Another pole vault talent, Shayna Hinds, is joining the Maroon and Gold next season. At the CIF-SS Division 1 Track and Field, Hinds broke through with a lifetime best vault of 3.88m (12-9) to finish fourth overall. She followed that up with back-to-back results of 3.58m (11-9) at the CIF-SS Masters Meet and the 103rd CIF State Track and Field Champs Prelims.
Top Marks – 3.88m (12-9)
Taylor Isabel, Saint Paul, Minn., Mounds View (Distance)
In a breakout 2023 campaign Taylor Isabel made great strides in her final prep season and joins the Golden Gophers as a part of the distance crew. Isabel earned a state runner-up finish at the MSHSL State Track and Field Championships with a personal best time of 10:40.77, and followed that up with a 1600m third-place finish in a time of 5:02.82. She also had a huge breakout performance at the 2023 Nike Outdoor Nationals in the 5000m, running a lifetime best time of 17:08.26 to finish eighth overall. During the cross country season Isabel finished 13th overall at the MSHSL Class AAA State Championships and then followed that up with a cross country 5000m lifetime best of 17:55.70 at the NXR Heartland Regional Championships in November of 2022.
Top Marks: 5000m – 17:08.26, 3200m – 10:40.77, 1600m – 4:57.76, XC 5000m – 17:55.70
Mariana Lanz, Alta Loma, Calif., Los Osos High School (Sprints/Triple Jump)
A 2023 NCAA qualifier at UC Santa Barbara Mariana Lanz joins the Maroon and Gold after spending most of her track and field career exclusively in California. Lanz broke through for her first NCAA qualifying mark back in March when she won the 2023 Beach Opener with a leap of 12.57m (41-3). She also has posted quality performances in the 400m in her career, holding a lifetime best time of 55.20.
Top Marks: Triple Jump – 12.57m (41-3), 400m – 55.20
Lauren Peterson, Rosemount, Minn., Rosemount High School (Distance)
Returning to her home state of Minnesota Lauren Peterson joins the 'U' after two successful seasons at the University of Utah. A native of Rosemount, Minn., Peterson had a breakout season in 2023. She started with a 34th-place finish at the 2022 Pac-12 Cross Country Championships, helping the Utes to a second-place team finish. She also assisted in the Utes 2022 Roy Griak Invitational team title in September. On the track Peterson put down countless lifetime bests in the 1500m, 3000m, 5000m and the 800m. Peterson is also a four-time Academic Honor Roll student-athlete and was named to the 2019 Southern Conference Cross Country All-Freshman Team and the 2020 Southern Conference Indoor All-Freshman Team while attending Furman University.
Top Marks: XC 6000m – 20:11.40, 800m – 2:12.63, 3000m – 9:34.57
Delia Johnson, Saint Paul, Minn., St. Paul Highland Park (Mid-Distance)
Minnesota's runner-up in the 800m Class AA state track and field meet, Delia Johnson, is joining the Gophers. The St. Paul Highland Park product posted a lifetime best time of 2:13.96, which was the eighth-best time in the state of Minnesota this past season in any class. She also was the winner of the Section 6AAA True Team meet in the 1600m with a personal best time of 4:57.53.
Top Marks: 800m – 2:13.96, 1600m – 4:57.53
Brielle Kuechle, Eden Valley, Minn., Eden Valley-Watkins/Kimball (Multi Event)
A two-time Class A state champion in the long jump, Brielle Kuechle brings in great potential for the Maroon and Gold in both the jumps and the hurdles. Kuechle broke through in the 2022 outdoor season with a state title in the long jump and then successfully defended that state title in 2023. She also was a two-time state finalist in the 100m hurdles, which included a bronze medal finish in 2022 with a lifetime best time of 14.77. Brielle will also be joined by her cousin Ellie Kuechle at the University of Minnesota next season.
Top Marks: Long Jump – 5.60m (18-4 3/4), 100m hurdles – 14.77
Ellie Kuechle, Eden Valley, Minn., Eden Valley-Watkins/Kimball (Sprints)
Joining her cousin Brielle, Ellie Kuechle is welcomed to the 'U' as a standout 400m specialist. She won the 2022 MSHSL state title in the 400m in a lifetime best time of 55.86 and ended as the state's runner-up in 2023 in a time of 56.69, missing out on a back-to-back state title by 0.01 seconds. Ellie also qualified for the state meet in the long jump and finished fifth in 2022 and holds a lifetime best mark of 5.28 (17-4).
Top Marks: 400m – 55.86, Long Jump – 5.28m (17-4)
Grace Mignone, Plymouth, Minn., Wayzata High School (Distance)
Along with teammate Grace Weber, Grace Mignone aided Wayzata's 4x800m state record time in 2023 at the Lake Conference Championships. Along with her performance in the relay Mignone was stellar in the 1600m as well as on the cross country course during the 2022 campaign. Mignone finished 12th overall in the MSHSL Class AAA State Championship and led Wayzata to a team title. Just a week after the state cross country meet Mignone posted a lifetime best time at the NXR Heartland Regional Championships in 18:10 to finish 35th overall.
Top Marks: XC 5000m 18:10.0, 1600m – 4:59.28, 3200m – 10:47.79
Charlotte Lange, LaGrange, Ill., LaGrange (Distance)
Charlotte Lange, a native of LaGrange, Ill., will bolster the Maroon and Gold in the distance events along with adding quality cross country times. She qualified for the IHSA 3A Girls State Track and Field Championships in the 1600m this last season after winning her sectional title in a lifetime best time of 5:07.89. On the cross country course Lange was second on her team at the state meet where her team finished seventh overall.
Top Marks: XC 5000m – 19:11.90, 1600m – 5:07.89
Caroline Mendyk, Clovis, Calif., Buchanan High School (Distance)
Coming from the Golden State is Caroline Mendyk, who brings in quality times in various distance events. Mendyk has a lifetime best time of 4:59.78 in the 1600m and finished 10th at the CIF Division 1 Championships in May. She also was 18th at the 103rd CIF State Track and Field Champs in the 3200m and has a lifetime best time of 10:28.57 in the event.
Top Marks: 3200m – 10:28.57, 1600m – 4:59.78, XC 5000m – 18:02.10
The newest class of Gophers includes 30 talented additions coming from multiple levels from around the United States and the globe.
MEN'S SIGNEES:
Charles Godfred, Ukana Mkpa Eyop, Nigeria (Sprints/Jumps)
One of the most talented young athletes in the country of Nigeria, Charles Godfred is bringing some incredible marks to the Twin Cities. In 2023 the Nigerian dropped a 100m time of 10.96 (+0.2 m/s wind) along with a long jump of 7.86m (25-9 1/2). He won the African U20 Championship in the long jump with his lifetime best and finished third in the 100m at the 3rd African Golden League meet at Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, the federal capital territory of Nigeria.
Top Marks: 100m – 10.42, Long Jump – 7.86m (25-9 1/2)
Angelos Mantzouranis, Athens, Greece (Throws)
One of the best young hammer throw talents in the world will be attending the University of Minnesota this fall. Angelos Mantzouranis is fresh off a fourth-place finish at the Greece Senior National Championships at just 19 years of age where he threw a lifetime best 70.71m (232-0) with the senior level weight (7.26 kilograms). Mantzouranis in 2023 is undefeated at the six-kilogram hammer throw weight, which is the weight that the junior level uses in the event and holds a lifetime best mark of 78.30m (256-11).
Top Marks: Hammer – 70.71m (232-0)
Cameron Stocke, Virginia, Minn., Rock Ridge (Mid-Distance/Distance)
Cameron Stocke, another stellar local product, is joining the Golden Gophers in the 2023-24 signing class out of Rock Ridge. The three-time state champion won his first career double this past season winning the 800m and the 1600m at the Class AA state track meet at St. Michael-Albertville High School. Stocke's winning times of 1:52.79 (800m) and 4:11.25 (1600m) both are new class records. Stocke was also the state runner-up in the 5000m during the cross country season in 2022 and holds a personal best time of 15:22.30 that he set at the NXR Heartland Regional Championships where he finished 25th.
Top Marks: 800m – 1:52.79, 1600m – 4:11.25
Emmett Gerres, Belle Plaine, Minn., Belle Plaine High School (Distance)
Staying home is the 2023 Class AA Minnesota State Champion in the 3200m, Emmett Gerres. Breaking the meet record in a time of 9:03.72, Gerres' time was also a lifetime best in the event by almost 14 seconds. Gerres' state title was the first of his career and followed it up with a runner-up finish in the 1600m. The year prior Gerres was the state runner-up in both the 1600m and the 800m. The talented local product also was the state's cross country champion at the 5000m distance in 2022. He led the boys program to their first appearance at the state cross country meet in history and led them to a seventh-place finish.
Top Marks: XC 5000m – 15:07.30, 800m – 1:53.12, 1500m 3:57.39, 1600m – 4:12.67, 3200m – 9:03.72
Aidan Jones, Minneapolis, Minn., Minneapolis Washburn (Distance)
The first individual boys champion from a Minneapolis public school since Minnesota legend Hassan Mead is following Mead's footsteps to the University of Minnesota. Aidan Jones of Minneapolis Washburn, who was the first to achieve the feat since 2006, was also named the Star Tribune Metro Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year in 2022. He then finished 14th at the CHAMPS Midwest Regional XC Championships and was sixth at the NXR Heartland Regional Championships in a lifetime best time of 15:01.20.
ARTICLE: https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-high-school-boys-cross-country-runner-of-the-year-aidan-jones-minneapolis-washburn/600233776/
Top Marks: XC 5000m – 15:01.20, 1500m – 3:55.77, 3200m – 8:54.48
Kashief King, Cochrane Village, Trinidad & Tobago, Naparima Boys College/Illinois (Sprints)
Joining the Maroon and Gold via the transfer portal is Kashief King, an All-Big Ten sprinter from Illinois. The graduate transfer joins Minnesota after the best season of his college career in 2023 where he posted lifetime bests in both the 200m and 400m while being a part of the Big Ten Championship 4x400m relay indoor team as well as running a leg on the silver medal 4x400m relay outdoor team. Individually King reached one Big Ten 400m final in his career.
Top Marks: 400m – 46.88, 200m – 20.88, 100m – 10.52
Spencer Brown, New Milford, Conn., Immaculate High School/Ole Miss (Hurdles)
The men's squad will have a strong 110m hurdles crew next season with the addition of Spencer Brown, a graduate transfer from Ole Miss. The SEC product narrowly missed the SEC final in the hurdles last season, finishing 10th. He qualified for the NCAA East Regional in 2022 in the high hurdles and also participated on the Rebels 4x100m relay team a pair of times last season. NOTE: Brown is eligible to represent Croatia in national representative competitions.
Top Marks: 110mH - 13.75
Mateo Alvarado Venegas, Sun Prairie, Wis., Sun Prairie West (Distance)
Jumping the border from Wisconsin is Mateo Alvarado Venegas of Sun Prairie. An All-State performer in cross country, Alvarado Venegas also brings in talented times in the 1600m and 3200m at the prep level. After his school split into two districts during his high school career Alvarado Venegas is the school's record holder in the 5000m and most recently finished fifth in the 3200m at the WIAA Division I Sectional and sixth in the 1600m.
Top Marks: XC 5000m – 15:26.20, 3200m – 9:11.71, 1600m – 4:20.21
Jordan Dunigan, Woodbury, Minn., Woodbury High School (Throws)
A talented all-around athlete Jordan Dunnigan joins the Maroon and Gold as a future member of the throws group in Dinkytown. The Woodbury, Minn., native boasts a discus personal best of 55.71m (182-9) along with a personal best of 16.64m (54-7) in the shot put (12 lbs.). He was undefeated throughout his latest prep season in the discus before finishing seventh at the MSHSL State Track and Field Championships where he also finished eighth in the shot put. Dunigan also was a talented defensive lineman for Woodbury at 6-foot 6-inches, Dunigan was listed at 255-pounds in high school and helped his team reach the Class 6A second round in 2022.
Top Marks: Discus – 55.71m (182-9), Shot Put – 16.64m (54-7)
Dante White, Plymouth, Minn., Wayzata High School/North Dakota State University (Sprints/Jumps)
Returning to his home state Dante White comes to Minnesota via the transfer portal from NDSU. White was a two-time Summit League medalist in his three seasons in Fargo. He was the conference silver medalist in the 100m in 2023 and was the bronze medalist in the long jump, posting two lifetime bests at the meet to earn conference honors.
Top Marks: 100m – 10.48, 200m – 21.74, Long Jump – 7.14m | 23-5 1/4
Aaron Leavens, Snohomish, Wash., Snohomish High School/BYU (Distance)
Minnesota will welcome another graduate transfer in Aaron Leavens from BYU for the next season. Leavens comes to Dinkytown with experience in the 5000m and the 10000m events. He did not compete this past athletic season but was a top eight finisher at the 2022 Mt. SAC Relays in the 10000m where he posted a lifetime best time of 29:18.10. At the prep level he was a two-time All-State performer, once as a cross country runner and once on the track as well as being a three-time Snohomish cross country Hardest Worker Award recipient.
Top Marks: 10000m – 29:18.10, 5000m – 14:16.88
Ahmed Khadar, Osseo, Minn., Osseo High School
Minnesota will welcome local talent Ahmed Khadar from Osseo High School, a 400m specialist who completed just his second year of track and field at the prep level. Khadar was a fourth-place finisher at the 2023 MSHSL State Track and Field Championships in his second season in the sport and holds a personal best time of 48.81 that he set in the preliminary rounds this past season.
Top Marks: 400m – 48.81
WOMEN'S SIGNEES:
Brooke Jaworski, Wausau, Wis., Wausau West/Texas (Mid-Distance)
A native of Wausau, Wis., Jaworski returns to the Midwest after a successful career in Austin, Texas. She won individual Big 12 titles in the 600-yard event at the 2020 Big 12 Indoor Championships, the 800m indoor title in 2021 and the 400m hurdles title at the 2021 Big 12 Outdoor Championships. Jaworski also claimed titles in 2020 as a member of the Longhorns 4x400m relay team and the team's Distance Medley Relay squad. Additionally, Jaworski is a three-time NCAA All-American, twice individually in the 800m, earning a Second Team distinction in 2022. Most recently Jaworski posted the No. 6 time in Texas history in the outdoor 800m in a time of 2:03.57 at the NCAA West Regional. She also held the school's 800m program record indoors at 2:03.87 and now sits at the No. 2 spot. She's also a part of the Longhorn's No. 2 performances in both the Distance Medley Relay (2020) and the Sprint Medley Relay (2022).
Top Marks: 800m – 2:03.57, 400m – 54.29
Sofia Condon, Andover, Minn., Anoka High School (Pole Vault)
Minnesota is excited to welcome the Class AAA back-to-back Minnesota state pole vault champion in Sofia Condon of Anoka High School. Condon continued to improve her senior campaign and reached as high as 4.08m (13-4 3/4) during the 2023 season. Condon competed at countless USATF meets including the USATF Region 8 Junior Olympic Championships in July.
Top Marks: Pole Vault – 4.08m (13-4 3/4)
Kennedy Martinson, Minneapolis, Minn., Coon Rapids (Pole Vault/Multi Event)
An all-around athlete, Martinson is joining the Maroon and Gold via Coon Rapids and has had success at the prep level at both the pole vault and hurdles. Martinson was the Minnesota Class AAA runner-up in both the pole vault and the 100m hurdles. In the pole vault she came up just short against fellow Minnesota signee Sofia Condon. Martinson the year prior in 2022 was the bronze medalist in both the pole vault and the 100m hurdles.
Top Marks: Pole Vault - 3.68m (12-1), 100m Hurdles - 13.94
Autumn Glover, Novi, Mich., South Lyon East/Michigan State (Multi Event)
The University of Minnesota will welcome an inter-conference transfer with Autumn Glover joining Minnesota after three seasons in East Lansing at Michigan State. In 2023 Glover completed her first full season as a multi, finishing ninth at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships with 4907 points. She holds quality marks in the long jump at 5.85m (19-2 1/2) as well as the 800m at 2:27.67. At the prep level Glover was a standout at South Lyon East where she was the MHSAA LP Finals Division I bronze medalist in the long jump in 2019.
Top Marks: Heptathlon – 4907 points, Long Jump – 5.85m (19-2 1/2)
Grace Weber, Plymouth, Minn., Wayzata High School (Mid-Distance)
Another Wayzata standout is joining the 'U', the latest being Grace Weber. A multi-sport athlete, Weber played basketball along with running cross country and competing in track and field. She won two state titles at the 2023 MSHSL State Track and Field Championships in the 800m as well as the 4x400m relay. Her team also set a state record in the 4x800m relay with a time of 8:59.04 at the Lake Conference Championships. Weber also posted quality performances in the 400m (56.87) and the long jump (5.41m | 17-9). Weber's cross country career was highlighted by a team title in 2022 with Weber finishing 38th overall and having a lifetime best 5000m time of 18:13.60.
Top Marks: 800m – 2:10.44, 5000m – 18:13.60, Long Jump – 5.41m (17-9)
Hannah Drietz, Brainerd, Minn., Brainerd High School (Distance)
Joining the track and field and cross country world late, Hannah Drietz joins the Golden Gophers out of Brainerd, Minn., after starting her career in just her junior year of high school. Drietz led Brainerd to a Roy Griak Invitational team title in 2022 with Drietz finishing third overall. Later in the cross country season Drietz continued to improve and won the MSHSL Section 8AAA Championships and then raced to a 17-place finish at the MSHSL Class AAA State Championships in a lifetime best 5000m time of 18:34.50. On the track Drietz primarily competed in the 3200m and 1600m.
Top Marks: XC 5000m – 18:34.50, 3200m – 11:38.54, 1600m – 5:33.64
Lauren Triarsi, Westfield, N.J., Westfield High School (Multi Event)
Coming over from the University of Vermont is Lauren Triarsi, a multi event student-athlete. A graduate transfer Triarsi joins with a heptathlon lifetime best of 4601 points which helped her claim the 2023 America East Outdoor Championships back in May of 2023. She holds quality marks in the 100m hurdles (14.45), the 200m (25.62) as well as the long jump (5.57m | 18-3 1/4).
Top Marks: Heptathlon – 4601 points, Pentathlon – 3511 points, 100mH – 14.45
Isabelle Schmidt, Rice Lake, Wis., Rice Lake High School (Throws)
Coming across the Wisconsin-Minnesota border is Isabelle Schmidt of Rice Lake. Schmidt was the 2023 WIAA D2 State Track and Field runner-up in the shot put and posted a lifetime best in the event at the regional meet back in May. Schmidt was also the state runner-up at the indoor state meet and was a three-time state finalist in the shot put outdoors.
Top Marks: Shot Put – 13.93m (45-8 1/2)
Shayna Hinds, Temecula, Calif., Great Oak (Pole Vault)
Another pole vault talent, Shayna Hinds, is joining the Maroon and Gold next season. At the CIF-SS Division 1 Track and Field, Hinds broke through with a lifetime best vault of 3.88m (12-9) to finish fourth overall. She followed that up with back-to-back results of 3.58m (11-9) at the CIF-SS Masters Meet and the 103rd CIF State Track and Field Champs Prelims.
Top Marks – 3.88m (12-9)
Taylor Isabel, Saint Paul, Minn., Mounds View (Distance)
In a breakout 2023 campaign Taylor Isabel made great strides in her final prep season and joins the Golden Gophers as a part of the distance crew. Isabel earned a state runner-up finish at the MSHSL State Track and Field Championships with a personal best time of 10:40.77, and followed that up with a 1600m third-place finish in a time of 5:02.82. She also had a huge breakout performance at the 2023 Nike Outdoor Nationals in the 5000m, running a lifetime best time of 17:08.26 to finish eighth overall. During the cross country season Isabel finished 13th overall at the MSHSL Class AAA State Championships and then followed that up with a cross country 5000m lifetime best of 17:55.70 at the NXR Heartland Regional Championships in November of 2022.
Top Marks: 5000m – 17:08.26, 3200m – 10:40.77, 1600m – 4:57.76, XC 5000m – 17:55.70
Mariana Lanz, Alta Loma, Calif., Los Osos High School (Sprints/Triple Jump)
A 2023 NCAA qualifier at UC Santa Barbara Mariana Lanz joins the Maroon and Gold after spending most of her track and field career exclusively in California. Lanz broke through for her first NCAA qualifying mark back in March when she won the 2023 Beach Opener with a leap of 12.57m (41-3). She also has posted quality performances in the 400m in her career, holding a lifetime best time of 55.20.
Top Marks: Triple Jump – 12.57m (41-3), 400m – 55.20
Lauren Peterson, Rosemount, Minn., Rosemount High School (Distance)
Returning to her home state of Minnesota Lauren Peterson joins the 'U' after two successful seasons at the University of Utah. A native of Rosemount, Minn., Peterson had a breakout season in 2023. She started with a 34th-place finish at the 2022 Pac-12 Cross Country Championships, helping the Utes to a second-place team finish. She also assisted in the Utes 2022 Roy Griak Invitational team title in September. On the track Peterson put down countless lifetime bests in the 1500m, 3000m, 5000m and the 800m. Peterson is also a four-time Academic Honor Roll student-athlete and was named to the 2019 Southern Conference Cross Country All-Freshman Team and the 2020 Southern Conference Indoor All-Freshman Team while attending Furman University.
Top Marks: XC 6000m – 20:11.40, 800m – 2:12.63, 3000m – 9:34.57
Delia Johnson, Saint Paul, Minn., St. Paul Highland Park (Mid-Distance)
Minnesota's runner-up in the 800m Class AA state track and field meet, Delia Johnson, is joining the Gophers. The St. Paul Highland Park product posted a lifetime best time of 2:13.96, which was the eighth-best time in the state of Minnesota this past season in any class. She also was the winner of the Section 6AAA True Team meet in the 1600m with a personal best time of 4:57.53.
Top Marks: 800m – 2:13.96, 1600m – 4:57.53
Brielle Kuechle, Eden Valley, Minn., Eden Valley-Watkins/Kimball (Multi Event)
A two-time Class A state champion in the long jump, Brielle Kuechle brings in great potential for the Maroon and Gold in both the jumps and the hurdles. Kuechle broke through in the 2022 outdoor season with a state title in the long jump and then successfully defended that state title in 2023. She also was a two-time state finalist in the 100m hurdles, which included a bronze medal finish in 2022 with a lifetime best time of 14.77. Brielle will also be joined by her cousin Ellie Kuechle at the University of Minnesota next season.
Top Marks: Long Jump – 5.60m (18-4 3/4), 100m hurdles – 14.77
Ellie Kuechle, Eden Valley, Minn., Eden Valley-Watkins/Kimball (Sprints)
Joining her cousin Brielle, Ellie Kuechle is welcomed to the 'U' as a standout 400m specialist. She won the 2022 MSHSL state title in the 400m in a lifetime best time of 55.86 and ended as the state's runner-up in 2023 in a time of 56.69, missing out on a back-to-back state title by 0.01 seconds. Ellie also qualified for the state meet in the long jump and finished fifth in 2022 and holds a lifetime best mark of 5.28 (17-4).
Top Marks: 400m – 55.86, Long Jump – 5.28m (17-4)
Grace Mignone, Plymouth, Minn., Wayzata High School (Distance)
Along with teammate Grace Weber, Grace Mignone aided Wayzata's 4x800m state record time in 2023 at the Lake Conference Championships. Along with her performance in the relay Mignone was stellar in the 1600m as well as on the cross country course during the 2022 campaign. Mignone finished 12th overall in the MSHSL Class AAA State Championship and led Wayzata to a team title. Just a week after the state cross country meet Mignone posted a lifetime best time at the NXR Heartland Regional Championships in 18:10 to finish 35th overall.
Top Marks: XC 5000m 18:10.0, 1600m – 4:59.28, 3200m – 10:47.79
Charlotte Lange, LaGrange, Ill., LaGrange (Distance)
Charlotte Lange, a native of LaGrange, Ill., will bolster the Maroon and Gold in the distance events along with adding quality cross country times. She qualified for the IHSA 3A Girls State Track and Field Championships in the 1600m this last season after winning her sectional title in a lifetime best time of 5:07.89. On the cross country course Lange was second on her team at the state meet where her team finished seventh overall.
Top Marks: XC 5000m – 19:11.90, 1600m – 5:07.89
Caroline Mendyk, Clovis, Calif., Buchanan High School (Distance)
Coming from the Golden State is Caroline Mendyk, who brings in quality times in various distance events. Mendyk has a lifetime best time of 4:59.78 in the 1600m and finished 10th at the CIF Division 1 Championships in May. She also was 18th at the 103rd CIF State Track and Field Champs in the 3200m and has a lifetime best time of 10:28.57 in the event.
Top Marks: 3200m – 10:28.57, 1600m – 4:59.78, XC 5000m – 18:02.10
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