The Gopher women's cross country team will participate in its first race of the regular season when it hosts the Oz Memorial Run on Friday, Sept. 7. The event will start with a men's 6K race at 4:30 p.m., followed by a women's 6K race at 5 p.m.

In addition to Minnesota, other participating teams will be Drake, Minnesota State Mankato, Minnesota Duluth, Northern Iowa and South Dakota State. In all, 144 women are expected to cover the course at the Les Bolstad Golf Course in Falcon Heights, Minn.

The Gophers competed in the annual intrasquad race last weekend, and are looking forward to officially kicking off the season this weekend. "I feel like we all feel really good after intrasquad,"  said Laura Docherty, the winner of last week's intrasquad meet. "We shook some dust off, and I think people are remembering how to race and are excited for the Oz."

Because the intrasquad race last weekend covered a 5K course, the Oz Memorial Run will be the team's first chance to compete on a 6K course this season. Another change from last weekend's intrasquad meet was that the team wore training shoes, but will wear flat race shoes this week at the Oz Memorial.

The Oz Memorial Run is named after Gary Osborn, the longtime Drake women's track and field and cross country coach who died in 2000. Osborn was a longtime friend of Minnesota head coach Gary Wilson.

The Minnesota women's cross country team received some good news over the winter break. This year's squad has excelled in the classroom with an impressive 3.5 GPA.

If you combine both the women's cross country and track teams the overall GPA is 3.45.

Minnesota's cross country team is full of some very bright student-athletes and this clearly shows that all the hard work they have put, had paid off,

Congratulations team!

This afternoon at 1p.m. CT, the No. 21 University of Minnesota women's cross country team will be in action in Madison, Wis., for the Wisconsin adidas Invitational. At 1p.m. will be the championship race and at 2:20 p.m. the "B" race will take place. 

You can follow all the action at http://www.flotrack.org/coverage/240308-Wisconsin-adidas-XC-Invitational-2011 

Yesterday afternoon Flo Track put together a preview of the 6k course. Check out the video below! 

Watch more video of Wisconsin adidas XC Invitational 2011 on flotrack.org

Gophersports.com: If you could be on any reality show, which would it be?

SP: I would love to be on The Amazing Race.

GS: What's the most notable thing about your hometown?

SP: I am originally from a really small Minnesotan town with a population of around 600 people. I am one of 8 children and when my family moved from this town when I was in middle school, my friends at school joked that the town had to change the population sign when we moved away.

GS: What song do you love to listen to, but are embarrassed to admit?

SP: I love Disney songs, especially anything from Beauty and the Beast!

GS: Do you have any pre-race rituals or superstitions?

SP: Nothing too crazy, I just like to be a creature of habit before races. I usually try to eat similar foods around the same times before races, wear the same socks, and listen to the same pump up songs on my way to the meet.

GS: What is your most embarrassing moment on the track?

SP: My most embarrassing moment was probably when I peed my pants during my leg of the 4xmile at the Drake Relays last year. I am not used to such a speedy race!

GS: What was the coolest thing about your bedroom growing up?

SP: My bedroom had the laundry chute down into our laundry room in the basement so we would always throw things up and down it, or we would secretly listen to anything going on in the basement.

GS: Describe your perfect day - who would you spend it with, what would you do, where you go?

SP: My perfect day would be spent with my family. Like I mentioned above, I am one of 8 children and it is the rare occasion that we are all together at once any more. I also love holidays, so my perfect day would be spent with my family on Christmas Eve, snuggled up in blankets in from of a fire, drinking warm drinks, and playing board games or cards.

GS: Where is your favorite place at the University of Minnesota?

SP: For relaxing, my favorite spot is the mall area in the spring or fall. For studying, my favorite spot is the Biomedical Library.

GS: Do you have any nicknames?

SP: My family and friends just shorten my name to Steph. But, when I was in elementary school and lost my front teeth, my dad called me "Spacer" because I had such a big gap!

GS: What is your cell phone ring?

SP: It used to be an Eric Church song, but now it is just a standard ring tone.

GS: If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you want to have with you?

SP: an endless supply of coffee, my Bible and journal, and a huge blanket

GS: Where do you want to be in 10 years?

SP: I want to be content and successful in whatever path I am led down. I would like to say that I would be married, maybe have a few children, have a nice house, etc. etc. but I have realized that you can't plan for anything like that in life. The future is full of unexpected opportunities and if we solely focus on our "plan" we miss out on great opportunities!

GS: What does being part of the Golden Gopher family mean to you?

SP: Being part of the Golden Gopher family means having an endless supply of sisters and a support system unlike anything else. It means always having someone to turn to, always having a friend to hang out with, always having someone backing you up, and always having someone looking out for you and keeping you on the right track.

GS: When you were little, who was your favorite cartoon character?

SP: My sister and I loved to watch Bananas in Pajamas. We even had two matching jump suits that we wrote B1 and B2 on in marker so we could play dress up as the characters.

GS: If you had your own energy drink, what would it be called?

SP: Orange Pedialyte (even though that is technically a drink already) because that is what I drink before races!

GS: If you could trade places with Coach Wilson for a day, what would you do?

SP: I would take my motorcycle out for the day and explore all the beautiful fall scenery of Minnesota.

GS: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

SP: I would travel to India or Africa for medical service work.

GS: What is your favorite sport outside of cross-country or track and field? 

SP: Basketball

GS: What is one talent or skill you have outside of running? 

SP: I am a pretty good cook.. or so I like to think!

By: Edwina Reckel

The Roy Griak Invitational one of the largest cross country meets in the nation. For 2011, there will be over 4,000 runners competing from high school, to the college level. Some of the nation's best will be on hand this year.

We got an insiders perspective, from assistant Head Coach, Sarah Hesser, of what it is like to participate in the race from every aspect. Hesser first ran in the race as a 16-year-old from South High School.

"As a high schooler, the Griak opened my eyes to what cross country can be. I hadn't realized before how many athletes and spectators were so passionate about the sport," Hesser said.

It was also her first race against competition outside of Minnesota.

"I remember my mom telling that I passed all of Kansas on an uphill!"

While running at the meet as a high schooler, Hesser also got a glimpse of what the Gopher Cross Country team was all about, which fueled her interest in becoming part of the team. After introducing herself to Coach Wilson and proving her ability by placing in the top 10 and top five throughout her high school career, she joined the U's team in 2006.

However, her first time running as a Golden Gopher did not start out as smoothly as she had hoped.

"My freshman year of college, the Griak did not hold such a special place in my heart," the seventh year assistant coach said. "I went out way too hard and ended up face down in the dirt at the 5K. Not the glorious start to my college cross country career I had anticipated."

In the following three years, Hesser, found her stride and finished as a top 7 runner. She reminisces on being on the U of M's team.

"To have the opportunity to race in front of you home fans with the "M" on your chest is an experience I will never forget."

After graduation, Coach Wilson gave Hesser the opportunity to continue to be part of the team by offering her the assistant coaching position. Part of Hesser's role is to organize the 220 high school teams participating in the Griak.

"Working 'behind the scenes' for the Griak is amazing," Hesser said. "You meet so many people who work tirelessly for months in advance to make the meet what it is. When you are an athlete, you get to show up, run and enjoy the experience. In a way, you think you know how hard people work, but when you see it up close it is truly a thing of beauty. The passion that people have for this meet and this sport never ceases to amaze me."

Throughout all of the meets Hesser has participated in and now planned, the Griak still holds a special place in her memory.

"Everyone works so hard to show up on one day, in one race and tries to give it everything they've got. Sometimes you pass the whole state of Kansas on an uphill and sometimes you end up face down in the dirt trying to breathe, but you always know that you have raced in the Roy Griak Invitational and you will take that with you for the rest of your life."

 

Gophersports: What is the first thing you think about when you wake up?

Kathryn Ritter: I think about what I want to have for breakfast.

GS: Do you have any siblings? How many?

KR: My older sister Megan is 24, and my younger brother Steven is 15.

GS: What is your favorite class or professor so far at Minnesota, and why?

KR: My favorite class has been Human Physiology.  The subject matter was very interesting to me, and I learned a lot over the course of the semester.  This class helped me realize that I really want to pursue medical school after graduation.

GS: If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your life, what would you eat?

KR: Cereal

GS: Who was your role-model as a child? Why? Has your role model changed now that you are older?

KR: I looked up to Mia Hamm when I was younger.  I started playing soccer when I was in first grade, and I wanted to be just like her.  She was such a talented athlete and always carried herself in a classy manner.  After her brother Garrett passed away, Mia Hamm also worked to support patients who needed bone marrow transplant.  She was such a positive role-model.

GS: How has being a student and athlete at Minnesota influenced your life?

KR: Being a student-athlete at Minnesota has been such a great experience.  I am very thankful for all of the opportunities that I have had to compete for the Gophers and be a part of a team.  Being both a student and an athlete has also taught me how to stay organized and balance my life.  It has forced me to plan ahead to make sure that I am getting everything done.  This can be challenging at times but definitely worth it!

GS: Why did you first decide to become a runner?

KR: When I was in elementary school, we had an Olympic Day at the end of the school year.  I always looked forward to it and had so much fun running the races there.  I was excited to finally enter middle school when I could join the track team.  It was the greatest thing ever back then because it was like having Olympic Day every day. 

GS: What was the biggest adjustment you had to make when moving from high school cross country to running in college? 

KR: I had to get used to running higher mileage and racing a 6K.  My primary event in high school was the 800, so it was an adjustment to transition to long distance training.

GS: What is the most difficult course you've ever run? 

KR: Our home course!

GS: What is the most unusual or creative workout you've ever run at practice? 

KR: Blind fartleks are the most creative workouts that we have ever done.  We run in small groups and then we rotate who is in charge of leading the workout.  The leader gets to decide how long we will run hard before we go back to an easy run pace.  It is a fun workout because you never really know what you will be doing until a few seconds beforehand.

GS: What team or individual performance are you most proud of? 

KR: I am most proud of qualifying for the NCAA Preliminary round in the 1500 during track season of my sophomore year.

GS: Use five words to describe yourself.

KR: Optimistic, Hard-working, Considerate, Determined, Reliable

GS: Describe your perfect day - who would you spend it with, what would you do, where would you be?

KR: On a perfect day, I would go camping with friends.  I would love to spend the day hiking, canoeing, and swimming in a lake.  Then we would spend the night hanging out by the bonfire.

GS: What is your pre-race routine?

KR: When we arrive at the course, I listen to music for awhile and think about my race plan.  About 50 minutes before race time, we go for our warm-up run as a team before we stretch and do drills.  Then I like to do my final strides at the starting line.  We do our final team cheer, and then we are all ready to run.

GS: Other than the Gophers, what is your favorite sports team? (College or Pro)

KR: Green Bay Packers

GS: What do you miss the most about being at home?

KR: I miss spending time with my family and home-cooked meals.  During the warmer months, I especially miss how my house had air-conditioning.

GS: What is the best advice you have received? Who was it from?

KR: One of my high school teachers told our class to always live as if you are in "the best years of your life." 

GS: What are you listening to on your iPod right now?

KR: Dave Matthews Band, Hootie & the Blowfish, Eric Church

GS: If you had the choice to travel either forward or backward in time, which would you choose? Why?

KR: I would travel backward in time because I would love to experience what life was like before the Information Age.

GS: Where is your favorite place at the University of Minnesota?

KR: My favorite place is the running path right next the Mississippi River.  It is so beautiful during the fall when all of the leaves are changing colors.

Throughout the 2011 season we will be bringing you either a set of 20 questions from a Golden Gopher cross country squad member or an article focusing on a student-athlete from this years team. In our first crack at 2011, gophersports.com talked with Niagara, Wis. sophomore Jamie Vandenberg.

Gophersports.com: Use five words to describe yourself.   
Jamie Vandenberg: Friendly, easy-going, personable, loud, tall

GS: Describe your perfect day - who would you spend it with, what would you do, where would you be?
JV: At my cottage in Rhinelander with my family and friends! Out on the water tubing and skiing all day and around the campfire roasting hot dogs and marshmallows at night!

GS: What is your pre-race routine?
JV: I get up and eat a bowl of cereal and a piece of toast with peanut butter and banana slices. I listen to my ipod while I'm getting the rest of my race gear together. Once we're at the course, we do team affirmations and then warm up for about 2 miles. I do drills and strides and play one last song. Then its team cheer and RACE TIME!

GS: Other than the Gophers, what is your favorite sports team? (College or Pro)
JV: GREEN BAY PACKERS!!!!

GS:  What do you miss the most about being at home?
JV: My mom's delicious cooking!

GS:  Who was the most famous person you have ever met?
JV: Gary Wilson

GS:  If your life was to be turned into a movie, what genre would it be; what would the title be; what actor would you have star in it?
JV: I would be in a documentary with Morgan Freeman called "Jamie: the Movie" and he would narrate my life.

GS: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
JV: New Zealand

GS: What was the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
JV: In Kindergarten, I wore a dress to the first day of school. A boy lifted it up and showed the entire class my underwear... that was the end of dresses for a while.

GS: What is the best advice you have received? Who was it from?
JV: "Remember what is most important... it's not having everything go right, it's facing whatever goes wrong. It's not being without fear; it's having the determination to go on in spite of it. Remember that every day ends and brings a new tomorrow full of exciting new things. Love what you do, and do the best you can!"- From my high school volleyball coach, Mrs. St. Arnauld.

GS: What are you listening to on your iPod right now?

JV: My Ipod is currently not in use so I've been using my dad's... Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire, tends to pop up a lot.

GS:  If you had the choice to travel either forward or backward in time, which would you choose? Why?
JV: I would go back in time to give Ben & Jerry a pat on the back for giving the world FREE CONE DAY!

GS: Where is your favorite place at the University of Minnesota?
JV: Stone Arch Bridge

GS:  What is your major? Why did you choose this major?
JV: My Major is Kinesiology with a focus on pre-PA. I chose kinesiology because I think learning about the mechanics behind the movement in our bodies is really interesting.

GS: What is the first thing you think about when you wake up?
JV: What cereal should I have this morning??

GS:  Do you have any siblings? How many?
JV: I have 3 siblings. Robin and Hollie are my two older sisters and Darren is my older brother.

GS: What is your favorite class or professor so far at Minnesota, and why?
JV: Although it was really stressful most days, I liked going to Chemistry lab. Taking it with Missa Varpness might have helped... we were definitely laughing more than mixing chemicals!

GS: If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your life, what would you eat?
JV: ice cream

GS:  Who was your role-model as a child? Why? Has your role model changed now that you are older?
JV: My role models have always been my parents. They are the two most dedicated, loving, and kind-hearted people I know.

GS: How has being a student and athlete at Minnesota influenced your life?
JV: By joining this team, I have been blessed with a second family who is always there for me!

 

Claire Rindo-Senior Captain

Stephanie Price, senior captain

What a great day 4 at preseason camp here in lovely Ely, Minnesota! The days of running, relaxing, and team bonding are flying by and will be drawing to a close after a full day of activities tomorrow. Today turned out to be a gorgeous day here with plenty of sunshine and good times. Not much was planned for the team today outside of a recovery run between workout days. We filled our time instead with plenty of canoeing, sailing, sunbathing, reading, and bananagrams!