The University of Minnesota track and field program will put its talents on display this week with the 115th Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa, from April 24-26.
ABOUT THE 115TH DRAKE RELAYS
A day after the Gary Wilson Invitational the Maroon and Gold will compete in Des Moines, Iowa, at the 115th Drake Relays. Minnesota’s participation at the historical meet will begin on Thursday, April 24, and will conclude on Saturday, April 26. The meet will be available to stream via RunnerSpace and live results will be accessible via GoDrakeBuldogs.com.
LAST TIME OUT
Over a course of four days of competition in California the University of Minnesota track and field program posted eight different program top 10 performances last weekend. The Gophers competed at the Bryan Clay Invitational, the Beach Invitational, the Mt. SAC Relays and the St. Thomas Easter Invitational.
The tone was set on Wednesday night out in Azusa, Calif., with Isabelle Schmitz and Zoie Dundon in the 3000m steeplechase. Schmitz, a true freshman, posted a time of 9:55.19 to move to No. 4 all-time at Minnesota. Her time also propelled her to the No. 3 spot among freshmen this season in the NCAA. Dundon, a returning NCAA finalist in the steeple, followed Schmitz with a lifetime best 9:52.46 at the Bryan Clay Invitational to move to No. 3 all-time at the ‘U’ in the event. Dundon’s time also pushes her to the No. 9 spot in the country this season in the event and the No. 2 spot among Big Ten competitors with Schmit sitting at the No. 11 position nationally.
MINNESOTA’S MEN RANKED FIFTH NATIONALLY
The University of Minnesota men’s track and field team remained inside the top five of the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) team rankings this week. The latest rankings that dropped on April 22 saw the Golden Gophers inside the nation’s top five for the fourth consecutive week to begin the outdoor season.
Minnesota’s men have been as high as No. 2 this season, which was the second highest ranking in program history. The only other time the men have been ranked higher in the current USTFCCCA ranking system was back in 2023 when the team opened the first outdoor ranking at No. 1. That season the Golden Gopher men finished the season ranked No. 20 and finished tied for 20th at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Additionally since 1921, according to the USTFCCCA, in the final national poll Minnesota has been ranked No. 1 once (1948).
Additionally, Minnesota’s women’s team moved up 57 spots in the latest team rankings to No. 29 in the country after their performances in California last weekend.
MINNESOTA’S EVENT SQUAD RANKINGS
Alongside the national rankings, the USTFCCCA released its latest Event Squad rankings with the Gopher men holding on to its top spot in the long jump. The men’s long jump (7.60m | 24-11 1/4 average) lead the way while the men’s hammer throw (No. 2), 200m (No. 9) and 100m (No. 9) all sit inside the top 10 in the nation. On the women’s side, the 3000m steeplechase group sits at No. 4 nationally this week while the women’s hammer ranks seventh and the 400m hurdles quartet comes in at ninth. For the full rankings, click here.
UP NEXT
Next week Minnesota competes in a pair of road track meets. The first will be in St. Paul, Minn., at the Hamline Meet of the UnSaintly on April 30. Then the Maroon and Gold will travel to Baton Rouge, La., for the LSU Invitational on May 3 at Bernie Moore Track Stadium.
(info and stock photo courtesy of Gopher Sports)
