Vonn gets clearance to return from injury

Last update: November 26, 2008 - 10:53 PM

World Cup overall champion Lindsey Vonn was cleared by a U.S. team doctor Wednesday to compete in this weekend's two races after bruising her left knee in a training fall.

Vonn, formerly of Burnsville, was hurt last week and returned to race practice Tuesday. She is expected to enter a giant slalom Saturday and a slalom Sunday, both in Aspen, Colo.

Vonn, who has 13 World Cup speed event victories, won the World Cup slalom opener in Finland on Nov. 15. It was her first top-three slalom finish.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

U wins volleyball marathon over Iowa

The Gophers rallied in the fifth game for a 25-15, 21-25, 26-24, 11-25, 15-13 volleyball victory over Iowa in Iowa City.

The Gophers (25-6, 15-4 Big Ten) trailed 11-8 in the deciding game before scoring scored five consecutive points -- two on kills by Hailey Cowles.

Cowles had 18 kills and Ariana Filho added 14 for the Gophers. Christine Tan had a team-high 20 digs and Cowles and Ashley Suapaia contributed 19 each.

Megan Schipper had 19 kills for the Hawkeyes (14-17, 6-13). The Gophers close out the regular season Saturday at Michigan State.

FROM NEWS SERVICES

U signs Virginia freestyler

Matt Benecki has signed a letter of intent to swim for the Gophers' men's program. Benecki, of Fairfax, Va., broke the Virginia state record in the 500 freestyle earlier this year as a junior on the way to winning the state title with a time of 4 minutes, 30.16 seconds. He was also a 2008 Olympic Trials participant in the 1,500-meter freestyle.

Benecki qualified for the 2008 U.S. Open held at University Aquatic Center in August, finishing seventh in the 800 freestyle.

Etc.

• Gophers sophomore Mike Thorn was chosen Big Ten wrestler of the week. Thorn (9-0) won the 141-pound title at the Nebraska-Omaha Open on Saturday.

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