U's Simons runs sub-four-minute mile

Gophers junior John Simons ran the second sub-four-minute mile in school men's indoor track and field history at the Alex Wilson Invite in South Bend, Ind., on Saturday.

Simons had a time of 3 minutes, 59.32 seconds for the second-fastest performance in the event in school history. Only Ben Blankenship's time of 3:57.87 in 2010 ranks higher in the Gophers' indoor record book.

Several Gophers competed at the Iowa State Qualifier in Ames. Justin Barber (67-1 1/2 feet) and Micah Hegerle (67- 1/2) finished first and second in the weight throw.

The Gophers distance medley relay team of Harun Abda, Travis Burkstrand, Cameron Boy and Nick Hutton set a school record Friday with a time of 9:29.22.

Johnnies win MIAC titleJustin Hochsprung's goal with 3:17 remaining in the third period lifted St. John's to a 3-2 victory over Gustavus Adolphus in the championship game of the MIAC men's hockey playoffs in St. Cloud.

Gusties women advanceGustavus Adolphus defeated Concordia (Moorhead) 4-1 in the championship game of the MIAC women's hockey playoffs in St. Peter.

The unbeaten Gusties (26-0-1) earned their 10th consecutive conference postseason title.

Eyo Ekpo won the triple jump, long jump and high jump to lead the Tommies to their 29th consecutive MIAC men's indoor title. The Tommies finished with 204 points.

Emily Van Heel won the 200, 400 and triple jump and ran on the winning 4x400 relay to lead the Tommies to their 14th consecutive MIAC women's indoor title.

Auggies win regionalHost Augsburg won the NCAA Division III West Wrestling Regional.

The Auggies finished with 143.5 points. Eight Augsburg wrestlers -- led by regional champions Matt Hechsel (197 pounds) and Chad Johnson (heavyweight) -- advanced to the NCAA Division III championships on March 15-16 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Etc.• The Gophers finished fourth at the Big Ten men's swimming and diving championships in Bloomington, Ind. The Gophers had 378 points. Michigan was first with 899 points.

• Ben Meyer allowed just three hits in eight innings to pitch the Gophers baseball team to a 4-1 victory over Utah at the Metrodome.

• The Gophers softball team (9-7) edged host Auburn 4-3 before its game against Charlotte was canceled due to cold weather.