Recent content from Rachel Blount
Pittsburgh drives Gophers out of NCAA volleyball tournament
Unseeded Panthers spring an upset on No. 3 Minnesota in the Sweet 16.
118-year era ends for U men's gymnastics; Wiskus wins two titles
Competing in their home gym for the final time as a varsity program, the Gophers finished with 406.291 points at the NCAA meet, their highest total of the season, good for fifth place.
Wiskus leads Gophers into men's gymnastics NCAA team finals
The Gophers rallied in the final two events of Friday's qualifying session to advance to Saturday's team finals, giving them one more day to compete together before the program shuts down.
Coach sees opportunity as an era ends in Gophers men's gymnastics
The 118-year run of men's gymnastics as a varsity program is ending this weekend, cut by an athletic department wrestling with a budget deficit. Here's what's next.
Statistics don't come close to explaining what Samedy brings U volleyball
Stephanie Samedy was a standout from the start in her Gophers career but has continued to evolve and puts up big numbers. She also is one of the team's calming leaders.
Gophers volleyball seeded third in one-site, 48-team NCAA tournament
The NCAA women's volleyball championships begin Wednesday in Omaha with a reduced field, a new format and a dash of controversy. The Gophers play Thursday.
Questions abound, all that the U.S. Olympic contingent can do is push on
Until torch is lit in just over 100 days, COVID worries will remain.
Shuster rink qualifies U.S. for 2022 Olympics
The U.S. locked up a spot in men's curling at the 2022 Beijing Olympics on Thursday, when Team John Shuster earned a playoff berth at the world men's curling championships in Calgary.
Gophers land third seed and a bye in NCAA volleyball tournament
Wisconsin is No. 1, and six Big Ten teams are in the field. The 48-team tournament will be held entirely in Omaha, beginning with first-round matches April 14.
Steveson dominates his way to spot on U.S. Olympic team at heavyweight
Gophers wrestler Gable Steveson won his finals matches 10-0 and 10-4 on Saturday night to qualify for this summer's Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Minnesotans stumble in Greco-Roman Olympic wrestling trials
No Minnesotans made the championship finals in Greco-Roman, marking the first time since 1964 that the state will not have a wrestler in that discipline on the U.S. Olympic team.
Steveson advances to finals of U.S. Olympic wrestling trials
The Gophers wrestler from Apple Valley will face two-time world championship bronze medalist Nick Gwiazdowski in a best-of-three on Saturday.
Augsburg wrestler Shilson uses Olympic trials to measure herself against the best
Emily Shilson, 20, and Calvin Germinaro, a 22-year-old from Anoka missed out on Olympic berths, but can still finish third in their weight classes.
Minnesota wrestling hopefuls ready for Olympic trials
Tony Nelson and Gable Steveson have practiced and pounded on each other for years. But there's only one heavyweight spot on the U.S. men's wrestling team.
USA Hockey moves have Minnesota flavor
Wild GM Bill Guerin will be the assistant GM of the U.S. men's Olympic team, while the women's team will be headquartered at the Super Rink in Blaine.
U.S. Olympic wrestling trials: Minnesotans to watch, and how to watch them
17 wrestlers with Minnesota connections are competing for berths in the Tokyo Games beginning Friday in Fort Worth, Texas
Whitecaps fall to Boston 4-3 in Isobel Cup final
The Pride scored three second-period goals to deny Minnesota a repeat championship.
Minnesota Whitecaps all set -- again -- for NWHL semifinals
Seven weeks after the National Women's Hockey League postponed its semifinals, the Whitecaps have a chance to defend their crown.
No. 1 Wisconsin too much for shorthanded Gophers volleyball
The loss dropped the Gophers to 11-2, while the Badgers — who had not played in a month because of COVID postponements — remained undefeated
Gophers' heavyweight Steveson dominates his way to NCAA title
Gable Steveson fulfilled his long-held goal of an NCAA championship by defeating Michigan's Mason Parris 8-4. Steveson's win streak is 34 matches.
U volleyball match vs. No. 1 Wisconsin postponed by COVID-19
Coach Hugh McCutcheon declined to say how many Gophers players were injured and how many were in the COVID protocol.
Coyle promises 'very diverse pool' of U basketball coaching candidates
The Gophers have not had a Black coach since 2013, and its hiring practices are being closely watched.
Diggins calls World Cup overall title 'the biggest thing I could ever possibly achieve'
Afton native Jessie Diggins has a career-high eight podium finishes and three World Cup victories this season.
Shorthanded U women lose 72-61 to Nebraska in Big Ten tournament
With starters Sara Scalia, Jasmine Powell and Kadi Sissoko all out with injuries, the Gophers were down to eight players.
Live: Confident U women play Nebraska. Get in-game updates here
The Gophers have beaten Nebraska, seeded one spot higher, twice already this season. Go here for updates on the first-round game in the Big Ten tournament.
Long-distance drive around: Gophers running star chases 2 titles in 2 states
Senior Bethany Hasz is preparing for two very different national championship races separated by 182 miles and about 64 hours starting Friday.
Gophers women's basketball loses regular-season finale at Illinois
An already shorthanded Gophers team was thinned even further when Kadi Sissoko was injured in the third quarter and did not return. Illinois went on a quick run, and did not look back in a 72-64 victory.
Regan Smith wins 100-meter butterfly in Pro Swim Series
The Lakeville native defeated 2016 Olympian Kelsi Dahlia in the 100 fly, winning in 57.88 seconds.
U women's basketball down to eight likely players for today's game
A win over Nebraska was promising for the Gophers women's basketball team, but COVID-19 disruptions since have hit the team hard.
Jessie Diggins places fourth for second time this week at world ski championships
Diggins and her Team USA teammates came up 8/10ths of a second short from medaling in the 4x5-kilometer relay.
MIAC football coming soon, along with full slate of spring sports
The conference announced plans for its teams to play up to four football games, beginning Friday, and to have a full spring sports schedule.
Olympic gymnastic hopefuls Lee, Wiskus ready for Winter Cup
Minnesotans Suni Lee and Shane Wiskus will be among about 60 top American gymnasts competing this weekend in Indianapolis after months of practice behind closed doors.
Gophers volleyball series vs. Michigan postponed because of COVID
This weekend's Gophers-Michigan volleyball series at Maturi Pavilion has been postponed because of COVID issues in the Michigan program.
Jessie Diggins enjoying banner year heading into world championships
The Afton native will be among the favorites heading into multiple events at the Nordic world ski championships, which begin Wednesday in Germany.
Gophers' run of volleyball perfection ends in loss to Nebraska
Very little went right for the No. 5 Gophers (9-1), who lost in three sets to end a 12-match Big Ten road winning streak.
Gophers volleyball picks up big road win at Nebraska to remain unbeaten
Stephanie Samedy led the way with a match-high 23 kills, but the Gophers' outstanding block was instrumental, too.
U volleyball prodigy Shaffmaster's first surprise was committing in 8th grade
Freshman Melani Shaffmaster felt at home from the moment she set foot on the Minnesota campus, and has quickly became an integral part of the lineup.
Teams adapt as 'Star Spangled Banner' stirs emotions
Some schools, including St. Thomas and the University of Minnesota, are incorporating social justice messages into pregame presentations.
U volleyball stays undefeated with 3-1 win over Penn State
Stephanie Samedy stood out in Saturday's tightly contested match between the No. 5 Gophers and No. 8 Nittany Lions.
St. Thomas athletes, coaches begin fond farewell to the MIAC
Connections and friendships among the state schools schools run deep as the Tommies start their final season in Division III.
COVID concerns pause NWHL season; Whitecaps had reached semifinals
A league statement said there had been "new positive COVID-19 tests," prompting a suspension of the abbreviated 14-day season.
'Still a terrible decision.' U men's gymnasts face up to beginning of the end
The eighth-ranked Gophers have only three months left in their time at the U, just six regular-season meets and one postseason before the program ends a 118-year run.
Hamline president doubles as leader for NCAA sports
Fayneese Miller leads a group of 445 schools while staying closely connected with athletics at the St. Paul university.
Gophers volleyball returns with 3-0 sweep over Michigan State
Minnesota's 25-18, 26-24, 25-16 victory wasn't always smooth. But the Gophers got strong performances from several returners and solid debuts from a pair of freshmen.
Gophers volleyball season is finally here after 401-day wait
Last seen at the 2019 Final Four in a loss to Stanford, the Gophers will open a new season on Saturday against Michigan State.
Lindsey Vonn to make broadcast debut this weekend
The women's World Cup skiing record holder will serve as an analyst for the Olympic Channel and NBCSN.
In COVID-19 era, former U wrestler juggles need for competition, compliance
Preparing for the U.S. Olympic trials has been complicated enough. Now Pat Smith must master testing and masking rules as he travels abroad to train and for tournaments.
Lakeville's Regan Smith keeping Olympic form in trying times for swimmers
Olympic trials are only six months away, and the race toward the Tokyo accelerates this weekend, when Smith will compete in a major meet in Texas.
MIAC plans to begin winter sports competition Jan. 29
The conference announced there will be no MIAC tournaments but its teams will be allowed to compete in NCAA tourneys if invited.
Surviving the 'pain cave,' Diggins wins 1st Tour de Ski title for United States
The Afton native captured the overall title with a second-place finish in Sunday's final stage. To grab the prize, though, she had to make certain her mind was as strong as her legs.
Gophers get back to winning in men's hockey by beating Badgers
The victory over Wisconsin came a day after their perfect 10-0 start ended and a tough pregame film session.
Perfect stretch ends for Gophers men's hockey team
Wisconsin handed the No. 1 Gophers their first loss after a 10-0 start.
Gophers wrestlers face first test of season at No. 4 Nebraska
Five who qualified for 2020 NCAA meet return, including heavyweight Gable Steveson.
Jessie Diggins falls down, recovers, keeps lead in Tour de Ski
The Olympic gold medalist, from Afton, leads by 22 seconds with three stages remaining. She could become the first American to win the event.
TCF Bank Stadium's new name is lurking in these seven questions
Is it common for stadiums to get new names? When will the change happen? Here are answers to those questions and others.
Some U of M regents leery of permitting alcohol sponsorships, licensing
Several Regents questioned whether the revenue from those deals — estimated at about $300,000 per year — is high enough to merit changing a longstanding policy. U President Joan Gabel has recommended approval.
Gophers men's gymnastics star, coach express anger over sport being cut on '60 Minutes'
Gophers star Shane Wiskus and coach Mike Burns both are interviewed on the program.
U Board of Regents to ponder alcohol sponsorships at school venues
The University of Minnesota's Board of Regents will consider allowing the school to sign licensing and sponsorship deals with alcoholic beverage manufacturers, which could introduce a new revenue source.
U women vs. Badgers called off; series with Mankato added
This weekend's Gophers-Badgers series has been called off and Minnesota has added a home-and-home series next week against Minnesota State.
Graduate transfer Bench fulfilling childhood dream as Gophers goalie
Former Bemidji State netminder Lauren Bench is playing exceptionally well for the No. 3-rated Gophers women's hockey team.
Gophers-Ohio State women's hockey series postponed
The Gophers' women's hockey team will not play at Ohio State on Dec. 11-12 because the Buckeyes will not have enough players, according to the WCHA.
Regan Smith, Lakeville's world-record holder, returns to water in Iowa
With her training schedule back to normal, the U.S. Open will give Smith a chance to check her progress and get back into racing mode.
Gophers gymnast Wiskus leaving state, moving to Colorado Springs to train
With no assurance he could keep training at on-campus Cooke Hall next spring, and no teammates to work out with, Shane Wiskus has faced a sudden, sorrowful choice.
Canterbury Park proposes 65-day meet for 2021, return of Sunday races
The schedule, which must be approved by the Minnesota Racing Commission, reintroduces Sunday afternoon racing after a one-year hiatus.
St. Olaf joins Carleton in canceling winter sports due to pandemic
The MIAC still plans to have competition.
Big-time moves: St. Thomas signs first D-I athletes, expanding staff
The step from Division III has already brought new hirings, new fundraising efforts and newly endowed scholarships to St. Thomas.
Bodenheimer gives Canterbury trainer another try at Breeders' Cup
Valorie Lund likes to take a patient approach with her young racehorses, allowing them to develop at their own pace. With Bodenheimer, she didn't have to wait.
Gophers gymnast Wiskus heads to Japan for Olympic test event
The Friendship and Solidarity Competition will be Japan's first international sporting event of the pandemic, with the Olympics slated for Tokyo next summer.
NCAA gives all Division III athletes extra year of eligibility
The MIAC, which has postponed all competitions until Jan. 1, is expected to announce more details soon about its winter sports schedule.
Carleton becomes first MIAC school to cancel winter sports
In a news release, Carleton officials said restricting off-campus travel and outside visitors has helped limit COVID-19's "direct impact'' on campus this fall.
World champion Lakeville swimmer changes plans for education, Olympics
To train for next year's Olympics, Regan Smith spent the summer doing early-morning workouts in an outdoor community pool, and she's put off attending Stanford to better prepare for Tokyo.
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McCutcheon says U will likely play 22-match Big Ten volleyball schedule
Gophers coach is all right with the long wait until January to play: "The whole year is a little off."
Regents save outdoor track but cut three sports that will leave 'a scar for the rest of eternity'
The Gophers men's gymnastics, men's tennis and men's indoor track and field programs were dropped, but an amended resolution spared outdoor track and field.
Angry donors say 'we'll be canceling everything' if Gophers sports are cut
The Board of Regents is scheduled to vote Friday on a resolution to eliminate three men's sports. If it passes, some donors plan to stop donating and buying season tickets for football and other sports.
Foreshadowing? Some U coaches had program elimination clause in new contracts
While the University of Minnesota's plan to cut three sports caught many by surprise, the school started putting the language into some contracts last year. 'Our intent is to continue this practice,' AD Mark Coyle said.
