Three Gophers -- so far -- headed to Eugene

Sophomore Wally Ellenson of the Gophers can jump.

And on Friday he cleared 6-9-1/2 on the first try at the NCAA West Prelims in Fayetteville, Ark. Then he cleared 6-11-1/2 on the first try and 7-1, too.

Then he stopped. So did everyone who made that height. All of them made the NCAA meet June 11-14 in Eugene, Ore.

The top 12 high jumpers advanced, and 11 cleared 7-1.

Ellenson was one of six who did it without a miss up to that height, so he tied for first.

He'll, obviously, have to go higher at Eugene if he wants to duplicate what he did a year ago, an All-America showing with a top eight finish.

Teammate Jon Lehman, a senior captain on the U track and field team also is headed West. He finished fourth in the hammer throw, heaving the hammer 214 feet on his fifth toss. Five of his six throws were over 200 feet, so he was pretty consistent.

Zach Siegmeier, another senior, tied for sixth in the pole vault on Thursday, earning a spot in the national meet as well.

"We're certainly happy for Jon and Wally. They've both had great seasons for us, and we're excited about their prospects next month in Eugene," said Steve Plasencia, director of the Gophers men's track and field program.

"We have one more day to move some guys on, and hopefully we'll continue the success we've had over the first two days of competition."