St. Scholastica football coach Greg Carlson, who started the program in the fall of 2008, is retiring. He had a record of 39-22 and led the Saints to the NCAA Division III playoffs the past three seasons.
"I didn't know much about St. Scholastica, where it was or what they were all about," said Carlson, an Indiana native. "It has been remarkable experience here. … The college did a great job setting the table to start a Division III football program."
Etc.
• Gophers infielder Kaitlyn Richardson, a junior from Phoenix, was named to the Top 50 watch list for the national softball player of the year award. She hit .430 last season with 16 doubles. Minnesota opens its season against Murray State on Feb. 7 in the Tiger Classic in Baton Rouge, La.
• The unbeaten and No. 14-rated Gophers women's gymnastics team will face No. 8 Nebraska at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln, Neb. Minnesota (7-0) is led by sophomore Lindsay Mable, whose 39.388 all-around average is the nation's 11th best. Her 9.944 average in floor exercise is second nationally. Nebraska is 4-0, and Cornhusker Emily Wong averages 39.508 in the all-around, also second in the country.
• Cross-country skier Jessie Diggins of Afton won the silver medal in the freestyle sprint Wednesday at the under-23 world championships in Val di Fiemme, Italy. The medal was her first in an individual event at the world level. Diggins, 22, will compete next at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
