By: Jace Frederick

Gophers sophomore high jumper Wally Ellenson hopes to jump in the Olympics one day. He took a step in the right direction toward that goal Sunday.

Ellenson won gold in the high jump at the Pan American Junior Championships in Medellin, Colombia. He cleared 2.16 meters, just over seven feet, on his first attempt to win the event. 

“Blessed to be the best Under-19 in the western world! Gold at Pan-Am,” Ellenson tweeted from his Twitter account Sunday.

Ellenson, who’s also a guard on the Gophers basketball team, finished eighth at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, where he cleared 2.20 meters.

The Rice Lake, Wis. native has previously said he hopes to qualify for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in the high jump.

The Pan American Junior Championships consist of athletes between the ages of 16-19 from North America and South America.

By: Jace Frederick

The Gophers newcomers led the women's soccer team a 2-0 start to with wins over both Toledo and North Dakota State at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium over the weekend.

Minnesota beat Toledo 2-1 on Friday and followed up with a 4-1 win over NDSU on Sunday.

Freshman midfielder Josee Stiever got the scoring started in the first game with the first goal of her career in the 25th minute to give the Gophers a 1-0 lead.

Toledo’s Kiersten Johnson responded with a goal in the 40th minute to knot the game at 1-1 heading into halftime.

Then three minutes into the second half, another freshman forward Simone Kolander scored the eventual game-winner for the Gophers.

Sophomore goaltender Kristen Knutsen, stymied the Toledo attack the rest of the way to preserve the win for Minnesota.

The Gophers continued their winning ways Sunday against NDSU.

Junior captain Katie Thyken gave the Gophers an early lead in the tilt, scoring in the fourth minute. 

Stiever netted her second goal of the weekend to give the Gophers a comfortable 2-0 lead at half.

Minnesota opened it up it the second half with strong play from sophomore midfielder Taylor Stainbrook. Stainbrook, a transfer from NDSU, scored twice against her former team to pace the Gophers to the 4-1 win.

Minnesota next takes the field Friday at home against Illinois State.

By: Jace Frederick

The Gophers newcomers led the women's soccer team a 2-0 start to with wins over both Toledo and North Dakota State at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium over the weekend.

Minnesota beat Toledo 2-1 on Friday and followed up with a 4-1 win over NDSU on Sunday.

Freshman midfielder Josee Stiever got the scoring started in the first game with the first goal of her career in the 25th minute to give the Gophers a 1-0 lead.

Toledo’s Kiersten Johnson responded with a goal in the 40th minute to knot the game at 1-1 heading into halftime.

Then three minutes into the second half, another freshman forward Simone Kolander scored the eventual game-winner for the Gophers.

Sophomore goaltender Kristen Knutsen, stymied the Toledo attack the rest of the way to preserve the win for Minnesota.

The Gophers continued their winning ways Sunday against NDSU.

Junior captain Katie Thyken gave the Gophers an early lead in the tilt, scoring in the fourth minute. 

Stiever netted her second goal of the weekend to give the Gophers a comfortable 2-0 lead at half.

Minnesota opened it up it the second half with strong play from sophomore midfielder Taylor Stainbrook. Stainbrook, a transfer from NDSU, scored twice against her former team to pace the Gophers to the 4-1 win.

Minnesota next takes the field Friday at home against Illinois State.