Minnesota senior Ben Blankenship was named the winner of the Fred O. Watson Award, the honor presented to the Golden Gopher men’s cross country most valuable runner as decided by the team members. The Gophers celebrated the 2010 season at the annual team banquet on Sunday evening.

Blankenship enjoyed the finest cross country season of his Gopher career. The Stillwater, Minn., native captured All-America, All-Midwest Region and All-Big Ten First Team accolades.

The Minnesota “M” Club awarded the three Gopher seniors – Blankenship, Mike Torchia and Mike McFarland – with their “M” pins and first-time varsity letterwinners Kevin Lachowitzer, Andrew Larson John Simons and Erik Truedson with the Minnesota letterjackets.

Gopher legend Roy Griak and All-American alum Andrew Carlson spoke to the team before Coach Steve Plasencia presented the post-season awards.