This past summer, track and cross country student-athlete Eric Colvin interned with former Gopher gymnast Michael Paulus.

Former Gopher student-athlete and current women's assistant coach Peter Miller attended the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil as a fan.

A two-time All-American and three-time Big Ten champion, Zach Siegmeier will serve as director of operations for men's track & field and cross country.

Mead and Blankenship recorded the best Olympic finishes by Gophers since Staffan Strand finished sixth in the high jump for Sweden during the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.

Ben Blankenship (1,500) and Hassan Mead (5,000) will run in Olympic finals on Saturday night.

Mead races in the 5,000 meter final at Olympic Stadium on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. CT.

A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Conly joins the Gophers staff after five seasons at Bowling Green State University.

Blankenship returns to action in the 1,500 meter semifinals on Thursday at 6:52 p.m. CT.

Mead and Blankenship will be the 12th and 13th Olympic competitors for the Gophers men’s track & field and cross country program.

Eight Gophers earned individual honors while Minnesota also earned USTFCCCA All-Academic Team honors.