When the Minnesota women’s cross country team lines up to compete at the Minnesota-Duluth Pine Hills Invitational this weekend, a few things will be strikingly unique.
Perhaps most gratifying will be the Gophers recently jump to No. 4 nationally in the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country coaches NCAA Division I poll, its all-time best ranking.
In an uncharacteristic absence, coach Gary Wilson will miss the event due to his daughter Laura’s wedding. It is the first cross country weekend Wilson has missed in his 42-year career.
And on a diverse note, the top 12 runners for the cross country team will rest after winning the Roy Griak Invitational last weekend.
The Gophers top finishers will rest in preparation for the pre-NCAA meet in Terre Haute, Ind., next weekend.
In doing so, Minnesota will allow its runners lower on the depth chart to compete in the top spots.
Meanwhile, the Gophers will be defending their title from last season at the event. Minnesota took first place out of the six-team field with a score of 29.
Sally Paulson, then a freshman, took first place individually by crossing the finish line in 23 minutes, 0.3 seconds.
Men have weekend off
For the second time in three weeks, the Minnesota men’s cross country team will not compete over the weekend.
The Gophers, ranked 25th nationally, are coming off a fourth place finish at the Roy Griak Invitational last weekend.
Minnesota will race next weekend at the Jim Drews Invitational in La Crosse, Wis.
–Mark Remme
Men’s golf to Illinois
The Gophers men’s golf team will return to action and head to Glencoe, Ill. for the Windon Memorial Classic.
For Minnesota to win its first tournament of the year they will have to deal with Big Ten foe Indiana.
“Indiana is playing very well,” coach Brad James said. “They have had three great tournaments this year.”
Participating in this tournament for the Gophers will be senior Clayton Rask, junior Victor Almstrom, sophomore Justin Kaplan, senior Andy Paulson and sophomore Ben Pisani.
Women with chance to improve in Iowa City
The Minnesota women’s golf team will participate in the Hawkeye Invitational at Iowa City, Iowa, on Oct. 6-7.
The Gophers will compete against Cincinnati, Creighton, Iowa, Jacksonville State, Longwood College, North Dakota State, Northern Iowa, South Dakota State, Texas-San Antonio, UT Chattanooga, Western Illinois and Wisconsin.
It has been a struggle early on for Minnesota to place well, but individually the Gopher golfers are improving.
“It’s a learning curve for them,” coach Brad James said. “They are learning so many different things that it is hard for them to put them into play.”
–Nick Heronimus
