National aspirations
What: NCAA men's and women's outdoor track and field championships
Where: Eugene, Ore. When: Wednesday through Saturday
Outlook: The Gophers have 14 men's and women's participants in this year's NCAA outdoor championships. Midwest Region women's outdoor track athlete of the year Abby Kohut-Jackson and fellow senior standout Bethany Hasz lead the way. Kohut-Jackson is the Big Ten 3,000-meter steeplechase champion and finished third at the NCAA West prelims last week. Hasz, who won the Big Ten 10,000-meter title, qualified in the 5,000 meters for the national meet. She finished runner-up in that event at the NCAA indoor championships this season. Other Big Ten champions competing for the Gophers at nationals are Kostas Zaltos (hammer throw), Alec Basten (3,000-meter steeplechase) and the 4x400-meter relay team of Abigail Schaaffe, Jayla Campbell, Val Larson and Janielle Josephs.
Gophers participating: Kyle Atkinson, men's shot put; Phillipe Barnett, men's discus; Alec Basten, 3,000m steeplechase; Teddy Frid, men's decathlon; Shelby Frank, women's discus; Bethany Hasz, women's 5,000m; Tess Keyzers, women's hammer throw; Abby Kohut-Jackson, women's 3,000m steeplechase; Kaleb Siekmeier, men's discus; Kostas Zaltos, men's hammer throw; Jayla Campbell, Val Larson, Janielle Josephs, Abigail Schaaffe, women's 4x400 relay.
