Wally!!

[MU1980]

As expected, Wally won the high jump last night, coming straight from basketball practice to the meet.  He set the field house record at the Klotsche Center. Did anyone get a chance to go see him?  Here is what was written about his winning jump from gomarquette.com:

"The highlight was Wally's big jump," Rogers added. "It was even more impressive as he came right over from hoops practice and then jumped so well."

Everyone had eyes on Wally Ellenson, who competed in the high jump for the first time in two weeks. The dual-sport athlete is a BIG EAST Championship hopeful in the even and he began his night by entering at 2.01 meters, clearing it with ease. He then cleared his next two heights on the first try before the bar was raised to 2.16 meters, which equated to slightly over 7 feet.

Ellenson watched as his two remaining competitors missed all three of their attempts at the height, while he needed just one try once again and broke the Klotsche Center record in the process. Having locked up the high jump title, the Rice Lake, Wisconsin native would attempt 7 feet, 3 inches (2.21 meters) and needed two attempts to clear the mark. He fell just shy of clearing 7 feet, 4.5 inches (2.26 meters), bumping the bar ever so slightly in each of his three attempts.

Ellenson remains tied for the national lead at 7 feet, 5.75 inches (2.28 meters), which he cleared at the Wisconsin Open back on Jan. 17, in Madison.

[warriorstrack]

Big East Champ, new conf record 7' 3.25"
MU also had runner up Max Kilpin
http://results.armorytrack.com/armory/2015/big-east/150228F039.htm

[Jables1604]

Congrats Wally! Great day for MU athletics!

[VegasWarrior77]

Congrats Wally and also to MU jumper Max Kilpin for finishing second.  Wally beat the next best non-MU jumper by 6.5 inches!

[4everwarriors]

Hope Wally can hoop, as well, to go along with his jumpin', ai na?

[VegasWarrior77]

Steve Wojciechowski ‏@steve_wojo  2h2 hours ago
Congrats to Wally on his BIG EAST high jump title! Proud to have him with #mubb too. http://youtu.be/Di2lXS0aI1s

[brewcity77]

Hope Wally can hoop, as well, to go along with his jumpin', ai na?

Wally never really had a shot at Minnesota. His freshman year he struggled with injuries and by the time he was healthy he was at the end of an experienced rotation that went to the NCAAs. His sophomore year he was written off by the new coach before he ever had a chance. I know they are old evaluations, but here's what was said about him 3 years ago as a high school recruit:

Strengths: Ellenson is a versatile lefty wing that has good size length and strength and is an excellent 3 point shooter that can get hot when spotting up on the break, coming off screens or spacing on the side of dribble penetration. Ellenson is athletic enough to finish above the rim on the break and competes and plays with toughness. Ellenson is a good perimeter offensive rebounder and is capable of defending both wing positions.

Weaknesses: Ellenson is a decent driver but must work to be more affective scorer off the dribble. He must also continue to build strength as well.

Bottom Line: Ellenson is a versatile wing that can knock down shots from beyond the arc. He has good size, strength and athletic ability and is a capable of defending both wing positions. Ellenson must continue to build his game off the dribble but has good upside.

Other pre-Minnesota articles:

http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/99879?referrer_id=388419
https://www.facebook.com/notes/minnesota-mens-basketball/future-gopher-wally-ellenson-to-appear-in-high-school-slam-dunk-3-point-champion/10150759152637780
http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball/story/2011-08-15/wally-ellenson-commits-to-minnesota
http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/215193/Wally-Ellenson-Commits-To-Minnesota

Who knows how good he'll be. Obviously he never caught on at Minnesota, but if he can be a decent shooter, a good defender, and can help our offensive rebounding, it's entirely possible that Wally will help Marquette at more than just high jump. He could be another kid who excelled in HS and was overrated coming out, but I do think he has some legitimate potential and value.