University of Minnesota Track and Field: Aiming for Glory at the Florida Relays
H2: Gophers Gear Up for the Pepsi Florida Relays
MINNEAPOLIS – The vibrant energy of competition is set to light up Gainesville, Florida, as the University of Minnesota track and field team prepares to take on the Pepsi Florida Relays from April 4-5. The anticipated event will unfold at the James G. Pressly Stadium at Percy Beard Track, with most of the Golden Gopher athletes ready to break records and make their mark. Notably, the distance crew recently showcased their talent at the Raleigh Relays, so they won’t be participating in Florida this time around.
H3: A Weekend of Athletic Excellence
The Gophers are eager to kick off their outdoor campaign on Friday morning, beginning with the women’s hammer throw at 10 a.m. CT. The competition is expected to be fierce, culminating on Saturday at 4:40 p.m. CT. While the meet won’t be streamed live, fans can still stay updated with the real-time results via PrimeTime Timing.
H4: Last Time Out – Record-Breaking Performances
In an electrifying display of talent, redshirt sophomore Ali Weimer made headlines by shattering the University of Minnesota’s record in the women’s 10,000m. This remarkable achievement took place on March 28 at the Paul Derr Track & Field Facility in Raleigh, N.C., where she finished 11th in a field featuring the country’s top 16 athletes.
Weimer’s outstanding performance not only set a new benchmark but also surpassed the previous record held by All-American Megan Hasz, who clocked a time of 33:09.57 during the 2019 Stanford Invitational. Impressively, this is the second record Weimer has secured this academic year, having earlier set the cross country 6000m school record with a time of 19:25.0. For a detailed recap of the Raleigh Relays, click here.
H3: Men’s Team Soars to National Prominence
In other exciting news, the University of Minnesota men’s track and field team has earned a phenomenal No. 3 ranking in the latest National Team Rankings from the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), announced on April 1. This ranking marks one of the highest positions in program history, following a No. 1 debut in 2023.
Historically, the only other time the men’s team reached a higher ranking in USTFCCCA records was during the inaugural outdoor ranking last year. Furthermore, the Gophers have been ranked No. 3 twice (in 1932 and 1947) and even clinched the No. 1 spot in 1948.
H4: Dominance in Event Squad Rankings
The USTFCCCA releasing their Event Squad rankings only added to the excitement, as Minnesota secured top rankings in several key events. The men’s long jump (average: 7.60m | 24-11 1/4) and the men’s hammer throw (average: 67.29m | 220-10) showcased their strength by claiming the top spots in the NCAA. Meanwhile, the women excelled as well, with top averages in the 400m hurdles (1:00.86) and 5000m (16:53.38). For complete rankings, click here.
H3: What’s Next for the Gophers?
As the competitive season ramps up, the Golden Gophers will be spread across three meets next week. Their schedule includes the Brian Clay Multis meet in Azusa, California from April 10-11, the Throwtown Romona World Invitational in Romona, Oklahoma from April 11-13, and the Bethel Invitational in St. Paul, Minnesota on April 12.
H4: Stay Connected with Gopher Athletics
For the latest updates and news from the University of Minnesota track and field teams, be sure to visit GopherSports.com. Stay engaged with the Gophers on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram (@GopherCCTF), as well as on Facebook, to capture every exhilarating moment of the season ahead!
Let’s rally behind our Golden Gophers and witness the magic they create on the track! 🏃♀️🏃♂️✨
