Stillwater Native, Gophers Alumnus Advances in Rio Olympics

Stillwater Area High School graduate, Gophers alumnus, and first time track and field Olympian Ben Blankenship will compete in the semifinals of the men's 1500 meters in Rio Thursday at 6:45 p.m.

Blankenship qualified for the semifinals by finishing ninth among 15 runners with a time of 3:38.92 in the first round of the 1500 meters Tuesday.

Blankenship graduated from Stillwater Area High School in 2007, and became a four-time All-American while at the University of Minnesota.

Blankenship still holds University of Minnesota records for the indoor mile, the indoor 3000 meters, and the outdoor 1500 meters.

Image Credit: US Olympic Committee