Ryan Longwell failed to advance in U.S. Open qualifying on Monday, but that doesn't mean the Vikings kicker did not have a good time in his first experience of this type. Longwell had only one birdie en route to an 83 at MetroWest Golf Club near his home in Orlando, meaning he was not among the top five players from that course who will move to the 36-hole sectional qualifying in Hobe Sound, Fla. The low score at MetroWest was the 65 posted by Phillip Choi. That put Choi at 7-under par.

"It was a blast and a great experience," Longwell said in a text message. "I'll be much better next time just having gone through it." Longwell, an avid golfer who lives in the Isleworth golf community in Windermere, Fla., had spent extensive time this offseason working on his golf game.

Longwell was among 9,052 golfers who filed entries to play 18 holes at 111 courses in hopes of advancing. The U.S. Open will be held June 17-20 at Pebble Beach.

JUDD ZULGAD

Gophers tennis teams hand out MVP awards The Gophers men's and women's tennis teams announced their team awards.

Junior Sebastian Gallego was named the Most Valuable Player of the men's team for the second consecutive year.

Freshman Brendan Ruddock won three awards -- the Jerry Noyce Most Improved Player Award, Team Spirit Award and Bob McNamara Unsung Hero Award.

Sophomore Julian Dehn won the Len Bailey Grit and Determination Award.

Junior Alessandra Ferrazzi was named the Most Valuable Player of the Gophers women's tennis team.

Etc. • Gophers senior Ben Pisani was awarded one of five individual spots to compete in the NCAA Division I Central Regional Golf Tournament at South Bend, Ind., May 20-22.