Gopher Men

The University of Minnesota men’s cross team received an at-large bid to compete in the 2011 NCAA Cross Country Championships on Monday, November 21. The race will be held in Terre Haute, IN. What’s impressive is that the Golden Gophers have been to the “Big Dance” in 14 of the last 16 seasons – a feat only a handful of NCAA Division I schools have accomplished.

This year’s Minnesota squad is young. There is 1 senior, 2 juniors, 3 sophomores, and 1 redshirt-freshman that will likely compete for the maroon and gold. Leading the charge is Minneapolis South graduate Hassan Mead. Mead, who just recently placed 4^th at the Big Ten Championships and won the NCAA Midwest Regional meet, looks to be a strong contender of placing in the top-10 at the NCAA Championships. Mead has placed 43^rd, 31^st, and 16^th in his previous NCAA Championship appearances, the most recent being in 2009. (Side note: Hassan Mead red-shirted the 2010 season due to several injuries but sources say he is back and training nearly 100%). Also most-likely competing for the Gophers will be Minneapolis Washburn grad Pieter Gagnon; sophomore Andrew Larson from Glen Ellyn, IL; red-shirt freshmen Marcus Paulson from Sussex, WI; sophomore Steve Sulkin from Elmhurst, IL; sophomore Erik Truedson from Bemidji, MN; and junior Travis Burkstrand, an 800m and 1500m specialist from Apple Valley, MN. 

As for the team, a top 10 finish will be a tough feat to accomplish. The USATFCCCA has the Gopher men ranked #19 in the latest polls heading into the Championships. Big Ten rivals Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan (who Minnesota tied for 3^rdplace at the Big Ten meet several weeks back) are ranked above the Golden Gophers. Other powerhouse schools such as Oklahoma State, Stanford, Colorado, Portland, and Northern Arizona are sure to be in top shape and ready to roll on November 21^st. Nevertheless, the Gophers are no stranger to showing up when it counts. In 2007, Minnesota was ranked between #15 and #25 all year and finished the season as the 8^th best team in the nation on November 19^th. Who knows? This year could be similar.

Gopher Women 

The University of Minnesota women’s cross country team will be making its 7^th consecutive trip to the NCAA Cross Country Championships on Monday, November 21. Minnesota received an at-large bid to the Championships to continue their season one more week. The Gopher women have been at NC's in 12 of the last 15 seasons. Much like the Gopher men, an accomplishment like that has only been achieved by very few NCAA DI institutions.

Steph Price, a senior from Rochester, MN, leads the very young Minnesota squad this year at the Championships. Price, a returning All-American, recently placed 5^th at the Big Ten Championships (where the Gopher women finished 5th....) and 6^th in a tough Regional Meet last weekend.  Price will be the lone senior representing the maroon and gold when the Gophers toe the line at the Championships. Joining her will most likely be: sophomore Ashlie Decker from Des Moines, IA; red-shirt freshmen Molly Kayfes from Maple Grove, MN; sophomore Katie Moraczewski from White Bear Lake, MN; sophomore Rachel Drake also from White Bear Lake, MN; sophomore Cassy Opitz from Eden Prairie, MN; and sophomore Laura Docherty from St. Paul, MN. Maggie Bollig, a sophomore from Cross Plains, WI has been the Gopher’s #4 -6 runner all year but came down with some sickness last week and did not compete in the Midwest Regional meet. Coach Gary Wilson will have some tough roster decisions to make before November 21^st. 

As far as the team goes, the Gophers are currently ranked number 28 in the nation. That is a position that Minnesota is not used to as of late. From 2005 – 09, the Gophers finished 9^th, 11^th, 12^th, t-11^th, and 10^th at the NCAA Championships. In 2010, the Gophers placed 27^th – a result they were not happy about. The young Gopher squad is poised and ready to get back on the national stage and prove to themselves they belong there. No matter the outcome next Monday, with as young of a team as they have, the future sure is bright for the Golden Gophers.

Tune in on November 21^st and follow all the action. Flotrack.com has great coverage, the Indiana State athletic department will have up to date information and several running forum websites will have almost-live results. 

Written by Ben Kampf. The opinions expressed are those only of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the University of MInnesota Athletic Department, the Run N Fun web-masters, Run N Fun, Inc. or anyone else mentioned in the article above.