Throwers helped the Gophers this weekend when they competed at the UCLA Jim Bush Legends Invitational in Los Angeles, California Saturday.
Jonathan Tharaldsen had a career best day in his events, winning the shot put with a throw of 59 feet, 7 inches and was second in discus at 171 feet, 6 inches, both personal records.
“I’ve taken a lot of reps in the throws over the past four, five months,” Tharaldsen said. “I guess this is my first meet in the discus where I really felt good and was able to use all the training that I’ve had the past four, five months to really get a good mark and a nice PR. Same thing in shot put.”
The Gophers led the 800 meters as they had five of the top six finishers. Dawson LaRance won the event at 1:49.75. Chris Trotter finished third at 1:50.01. Lucas Trapp finished fourth at 1:50.25, Derek Wiebke came in fifth at 1:50.97 and Josh Tracy ran 1:53.30 and finished sixth.
Minnesota had a pair of leaders in the long jump. Mason Roomes won the event clearing 23 feet, 7 inches, Jonathan Johnson finished second at 22 feet, 7 inches.
Jonathan Webb won the 200 meters at 21.28 seconds.
The Gophers also won the 400-meter hurdles and the 1,500-meter run. Matthew Baker ran a time of 52.40 seconds to win the 400-meter hurdles. This would break his personal record and tie him at sixth in program history.
Clayton Johnson finished second in the event at 53.76. Sam Carlson broke his personal record to in 1,500 meters winning it at 3:50.46, Hunter Staack went for second at 3:54.16.
“You can kinda feel it with guys when they are able to win an event, their confidence grows a little bit,” head coach Steve Plasencia said. “For a young group of guys to go out and have success is a good thing and we hope that will have confidence grow in a couple of the bigger meets.”
Trio wins titles on Friday
Minnesota competed in four events at UCLA’s Bob Larsen Distance Carnival on Friday.
The Gophers had three of the top six members in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Nick Rink won the race at 8:59.82. Jack Manderscheid came in second at 9:00.06, Alex Plasencia finished sixth at 9:07.93.
Kieran McKeag won the hammer throw on his final throw at a mark of 204 feet, 10 inches breaking his personal record. Jon Nerdal finished third at 194 feet, 6 inches and Connor Rousemiller finished fifth at 180 feet, 9 inches.
The mile also crowned another champion for the Gophers as Shane Streich won the competition at 4:04.35. Evan Ferlic came in fifth at 4:09.02.
