Gophers track star, or Russell Wilson?
MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - The Minnesota Gopher men's track and field team is coming off a huge border battle victory over Wisconsin last weekend after winning 9 of the 15 events. Luca Wieland, last year's NCAA Heptathalon champion, led the way with 12 points, and he proves you don't have to be from Minnesota or Wisconsin to really get into the rivalry.
He hails from Saarbrucken, Germany, but Weiland is protective of Gopher Country. The reigning Heptathalon champion and school record holder in the event is aiming for a repeat this season after overcoming a few hamstring issues.
"I feel confident, I think I got stronger after last year," he said. "I'm looking forward to competing again."
Not to mention, you may have noticed that he bears a striking resemblance to a former Badger football and now Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson. He even encountered some "fans" traveling to Seattle this summer.
“It is kind of funny people think I look like him a little bit. When I travel around people would ask if I’m Russell Wilson or if I can give an autograph or something,” he said.
(No, he didn't give out any false signatures, but you might want his real one, anyway.)