Shae Kelley returns to Lynx

Former Gophers forward Shae Kelley will return to the Minnesota Lynx after being cut from the team in June.

The Lynx expect Kelley to return to practice on Wednesday in order to complete their roster.

Kelley played five minutes in a preseason game with the Lynx in June and had one shot.

Kelley was selected by the Lynx 35th overall in the WNBA’s April draft.

In her one senior season at Minnesota, Kelley started in all 33 games and averaged 17.5 points per game.

Kelley was also given Second Team All-Big Ten honors by coaches.

Sara Groenewegen wins gold at Pan Am Games

Minnesota standout Sara Groenewegen helped lead her home country of Canada to their first Pan Am Games softball gold since 1983.  

The Canadians upset the Americans in a 4-2 game that went into extra innings.

Groenewegen struck out seven batters and only had one earned run on six hits during the game.

The victory for Canada came after finishing second to the United States for their past four Pan Am Games meetings.

Groenewegen’s international success follows an impactful season with the Gophers this past spring.

She earned the Big Ten Player of the Year award, the first time a Minnesota player has done so since 1991, secured a 1.67 ERA in 44 games pitched and acquired a cumulative .372 average in 180 at-bats.

Groenewegen will return to Minnesota next year for her junior season.

Big Ten Media Days kick off Thursday

Minnesota and Big Ten Football will get their chance to address the season to come this weekend at Big Ten Media Days in Chicago.

The event is changing format this year. Half of the 14 teams will address the media on Thursday, July 30, and the other half on Friday, July 31.

Thursday's lineup includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan State, Ohio State and Wisconsin.

Minnesota will make their appearance on Friday along with Michigan, Nebraska, Northwestern, Penn State, Purdue and Rutgers.

Coaches and players from each team will be available to speak both days, along with a kickoff luncheon taking place on Friday afternoon.

Head Coach Jerry Kill will be attending and addressing the media on Friday, as well as defensive back Briean Boddy-Calhoun, defensive end Theiren Cockran and quarterback Mitch Leidner.

The Big Ten Network and ESPNU will provide live coverage of the event beginning with the first coaches’ session on Thursday at 12 p.m. CT.