Southwest Minnesota State sophomore football player Ben Bundy died Wednesday morning in Sioux Falls, S.D., of a brain aneurysm he suffered Friday in Marshall, Minn. He was 20.

Bundy, an offensive lineman for the Mustangs, fell unconscious in the SMSU PE Gym on Friday morning. He was transported to Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center before being airlifted to Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D., where he spent the past six days.

"Ben was a great young man that was blessed with the ability to touch the people around him in a meaningful way," Mustangs coach Eric Eidsness said.

Bundy, a 2008 graduate of Madison (S.D.) High School, redshirted for the Southwest Minnesota State football program in 2008 and was a redshirt freshman this past season, appearing in one game.

Lynx sign forward The Lynx have signed unrestricted free agent Hamchetou Maigu-Ba, an eight-year WNBA veteran. Last season, Maigu-Ba, a 6-2 forward, averaged 8.9 points and 2.6 rebounds for Sacramento, a franchise that has folded.

Kazmaier picks 45 Three members of the Gophers women's hockey team -- goalie Noora Raty, defenseman Anne Schleper and forward Emily West -- are among the 45 nominees for the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award.

Included in the list of nominees are Minnesota Duluth forwards Emmanuelle Blais and Laura Fridfinnson, St. Cloud State forwards Caitlin Hogan and Felicia Nelson, Bemidji State goalie Zuzana Tomcikova and Boston College forward Allie Thunstrom of Maplewood.

The winner will be announced on March 20.

Gophers in second The Gophers women's swimming team is in second place after the first day of the Big Ten championships in West Lafayette, Ind.

The Gophers have 64 points, eight behind Indiana.

The Gophers 200 medley relay team of Hannah Whitehead, Jillian Tyler, Kaylee Jamison and Alison Eggers finished second with a time of 1:38.50.

The Gophers 800 freestyle relay team of Lauren Weis, Megan Braun, Kristen Steenvoorden and Marissa Davies finished fourth.

NEWS SERVICES