62-day meet approved for Canterbury Park

The Minnesota Racing Commission on Thursday approved a 62-day meet for horse racing at Canterbury Park in Shakopee.

The meet will begin May 15 and run through Aug. 30. It is five days shorter than the 2008 meet.

The purse structure is expected to remain similar to last season's daily average of $141,000.

"The current economic situation dictated a shorter race meet next year," Canterbury president Randy Sampson said. "We also are fortunate to have a strong fan base. In 2008 we had our second-highest average daily attendance since reopening in 1995."

Featured race days include the 11th Claiming Crown on July 25 and the Minnesota Festival of Champions, a day dedicated to the best race horses bred in the state, on the final day of the meet.

RACHEL BLOUNT

JC lineman signs with Gophers Junior college offensive lineman Jeff Wills, a 6-7 350-pounder who has played two seasons at Lackawanna College in Scranton, Pa., signed a letter of intent to play football for the Gophers next season.

Wills, who will enroll in January and take part in spring drills, had given his verbal commitment to the Gophers over the weekend. Midyear signing, mostly for junior college players, started Thursday and runs through Jan. 15.

Also, Bryant Allen, a 6-0, 170-pound athlete from Maplewood, Mo., announced Thursday night he had chosen to play football at Minnesota over Kansas and Missouri. Allen, a high three-star-rated player by Rivals.com, is expected to play receiver for the Gophers. Coach Tim Brewster and members of his staff flew to Missouri to meet with Allen on Wednesday, and that meeting might have sealed the deal.

KENT YOUNGBLOOD

UMD's Schlafke honored Quarterback Ted Schlafke, who led Minnesota Duluth to the NCAA Division II title, was selected to the Associated Press Little All-America first team.

Schlafke, a senior from Stevens Point, Wis., passed for 3,018 yards and 35 touchdowns as the Bulldogs finished 15-0. He also rushed for 495 yards and seven touchdowns.

Bulldogs senior offensive lineman Nate Baier made the second team, and senior defensive back Tyler Yelk was selected to the third team.

Winona State senior offensive lineman Nick Urban made the third team.

Etc. • Three Gophers volleyball players were honored by the AVCA. Gophers sophomore outside hitter Brook Dieter was named a second-team all-America, sophomore middle blocker Lauren Gibbemeyer received third-team honors, and junior libero Christine Tan received honorable mention honors.

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