Minnesota Golden Gopher XC Predictions

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14 years ago 09/07/2009 1:49pm EDT

Any thoughts about the Gophers team and individual prospects for '09? Is Torchia healthy?

Roster:

Barrett, Matt DISTANCE 5-9 Sr. Monroe, Wis. (Monroe High School)

Blankenship, Ben DISTANCE - Jr. Stillwater (Stillwater)

Burkstrand, Travis DISTANCE - RFr. Apple Valley, Minn. (Eastview)

Gagnon, Pieter DISTANCE - RFr. Minneapolis (Washburn)

Hilsen, Paul DISTANCE - So. Lakeville (Lakeville South HS)

Hutton, Nick DISTANCE - RFr. Apple Valley (Burnsville)

Krueger, David DISTANCE 6-1 Sr. Perham, Minn. (Perham High School)

Lachowitzer, Kevin DISTANCE - RFr. Perham (Perham)

McFarland, Joe DISTANCE - Jr. Hartland (Arrowhead HS)

McFarland, Mike DISTANCE 5-11 Jr. Hartland, Wis. (Arrowhead High School)

Mead, Hassan DISTANCE - Jr. Minneapolis (Minneapolis South)

Olson, Sean DISTANCE - So. Menominie (Menominie HS)

Richardson, Andy DISTANCE - RFr. New Brighton (Irondale)

Torchia, Mike DISTANCE 5-10 Jr. Rochester, Minn. (Rochester Lourdes High School)

14 years ago 09/07/2009 4:22pm EDT

re: gopher sports

Wisconsin will dominate easily with Michigan coming in second. Minnesota will be left to fight it out with Indiana/OSU for 3rd. Mead will win the conference (easily), but after that, now sure who else besides Bankenship can place top 20?

14 years ago 09/07/2009 6:45pm EDT

re: hetr

They haven't posted their freshmen yet, and I don't know if they'll run, but they got a few good frosh runners this year that could make a difference in the 3-5 positions.

14 years ago 09/07/2009 8:35pm EDT

re: riley stops

They will need quite a few guys to elevate their performances this year. If Barrett runs well, and Blankenship translates his track success to Cross, things will be much better. I had heard that Torchia was doing triathlons, but maybe he came around. He would definitely help the team out a lot. In terms of Freshman, Sulkin (?) from Illinois will hopefully make an impact right away as will Storkel from Wisco (I fear this guy isn't right for the Minnesota coaching mantra and that he may be overtrained, but here is to hoping that I'm wrong). Besides that, I think the team is actually lacking a good deal of depth, with a few too many guys just hanging in the ranks compared to years past.

14 years ago 09/07/2009 10:42pm EDT

re: Ron McLellan

They will struggle to make nationals. Okla St. and Tulsa will have the midwest region's two spots.

14 years ago 09/07/2009 11:03pm EDT

re: midwesty

Mead wins for sure, but then they may not have anyone else up in top 20. Gophers will get "wins" at Griak meet for sure and then beat a Great Lakes team or two at Big 10's. Thing is, I don't see Michigan doing well this season; saw they weren't even going to Pre-NCAA meet where they always run great and they're slow demise usually starts soon thereafter.

14 years ago 09/07/2009 11:12pm EDT

re: hetr

Torchia won a local half-marathon a few weeks ago in 1:08:24, so I'd assume that he's healthy.

14 years ago 09/08/2009 8:44am EDT

re: had to guess it right?

had to guess it right? wrote:
Gophers will get "wins" at Griak meet for sure and then beat a Great Lakes team or two at Big 10's. .

Wins over who? Whats the field at Griak?

14 years ago 09/08/2009 9:38am EDT

re: DMan

Generally, Minnesota has done a good job of competing in track and field and in XC. The probably do not have enough high-level guys right now, unfortunately.

14 years ago 09/08/2009 11:45am EDT

re: 26mi235

Mead, Blankenship, Barrett, Torchia, Pieter Gagnon, and Sean Olson plus one frosh could make a decent line-up if they are healthy.

The cupboard is pretty bare after those guys though.

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Minnesota Golden Gopher XC Predictions

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