Gophers senior Abby Kohut- Jackson finished fifth in her semifinal heat — and 11th overall — to advance to the 3,000-meter steeplechase on Thursday in the NCAA track and field meet in Eugene, Ore. Her time was a personal-best 9 minutes, 41.20 seconds. She was the second-to-last runner to qualify for Saturday's final.
Kohut-Jackson was the Big Ten champion in the steeplechase in late May when she ran more than six seconds slower.
Teddy Frid, a sixth-year Gophers senior, was 14th in the decathlon with 7,330 points. His best finishes were fourth in the 1,500 and sixth in pole vault.
Three North Dakota women placed high in field events: sophomore Akealy Moton was third in the shot put (59 feet, 5 inches), junior Kari Wolfe fourth in javelin (180-6) and senior Maddy Nilles sixth in the hammer throw (225-1),
Tight end commits to U
Spencer Alvarez, a 6-7, 245-pound tight end from Columbia Heights, announced on Twitter that he has accepted a scholarship offer from the Gophers.
"Wasn't a hard choice because of how the coaching staff has made me feel at home in their program and trusting in me enough to offer me a scholarship while rehabbing a torn ACL," Alvarez tweeted.
Alvarez, a two-star recruit and the No. 24-ranked player in the state's recruiting Class of 2022, also had an offer from Division II power Minnesota State Mankato. He suffered his knee injury in November, ending his junior season.
Alvarez is the sixth player from the Class of 2022 to give the Gophers a verbal commitment.
Randy Johnson
Etc.
• Gophers offensive linemen Blaise Andries and Conner Olson were named CoSIDA Academic All-District first team. The honor recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. Andries, a repeat honoree, is an aspiring actuary majoring in mathematics. Olson received his undergraduate degree in human physiology and is pursuing an advanced degree in public health administration and policy. He plans to attend medical school.
• Gophers libero CC McGraw was named CoSIDA Academic All-District first team in volleyball. The psychology major received her undergraduate degree last month.
