gophers/ncaa

Freshman goalie Adam Wilcox of the Gophers was named the WCHA’s defensive player of the week. He stopped 65 of 67 shots as Minnesota split with Denver last weekend, losing 2-0 the first night, winning 5-1 the second.

Junior right winger Michael Mersch of Wisconsin was named the offensive player of the week. He had three goals and three assists as the Badgers swept Nebraska Omaha. The co-rookies of the week were forwards Cory Ward of Bemidji State and Alex Petan of Michigan Tech. Both had one goal and two assists, Ward against North Dakota, Petan against St. Cloud State.

Two indoor champions

Minnetonka native Will Leer and Amanda Smock of Minneapolis were among the national champions crowned at last weekend’s USA indoor track and field championships in Albuquerque, N.M.

Leer won the men’s mile Sunday in 3 minutes, 58.79 seconds, the fastest-ever indoor time run at altitude. He also won the 3,000 meters Saturday in 8:07.84, earning his first USA Track and Field national title.

Smock, a 2012 Olympian, won the women’s triple jump for the second consecutive year with a leap of 44 feet, 9½ inches.

Etc.

• The National Collegiate Hockey Conference will hold a 9 a.m. news conference Thursday at Minneapolis City Hall to reveal details about its first postseason tournament next March at Target Center, unveil its logo and introduce its website.

• Jake Bischoff of Grand Rapids was named the recipient of the inaugural Reed Larson Award, presented to the state’s top senior defenseman. He scored eight goals and had 17 assists for the Thunderhawks in 19 games in an injury-shortened season. Bischoff committed to the Gophers last season.