Daily Breakdown

Monday, April 7, 2025

April 07, 2025

Hey everybody,

I’m back in your inbox this Monday, and I’m ready to attack the week with a rejuvenated fervor yet unseen from the likes of me. I’ve not been beaten down by the cycle of monotony and don’t feel like returning to the comfort cave that is my bed, and neither should you.

Go and do what you have to do today. The only shame comes from neglecting those primary tasks, and the glory comes from the side quests you complete along the way. Or something like that. Read some news, feel inspired, go about your business.

Take it easy,

Spencer White | Editor-in-Chief | [email protected]

Top Story

Mantzouranis was the first European track and field athlete to be brought on an official visit for the Gophers. Courtesy of Bjorn Franke.

Minnesota hammer throwers strive for Greek greatness

by Matthew Zeichert | Published April 7, 2025

With the outdoor NCAA championships nearing, Minnesota’s Kostas Zaltos and Angelos Mantzouranis are already generating near-mythological feats of strength.

Both Zaltos and Mantzouranis threw record-breaking hammer throws at the Florida Relays, with throws of 77.19m and 77.43m marking No. 7 and No. 9 in NCAA history, respectively.

A friendly rivalry between Zaltos and Mantzouranis during their first season as teammates is the reason their throws are so close. 

“Right after Angelos won Big Tens, he told me, ‘I broke your hammer throw record just a little bit to make you throw farther,’” Zaltos said. 

Angelos’ post-victory remark is not the only example of competitive joking between the two. 

Zaltos is open about his childhood dreams of playing professional basketball, plus his admiration for Greek Olympian and 2021 NBA Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

After Zaltos explained how much of an honor it was to be nicknamed “The Greek Freak of Minnesota,” Mantzouranis could not resist jokingly insulting his teammate.

“I’m a Giannis hater,” Mantzouranis joked. “I don’t like Giannis.” 

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News

By Ahmed Hassan | The University of Minnesota’s Multiracial Student Union kicked off its month of Recognizing Our Origins and Transracial Stories, or ROOTS, with its career question-and-answer workshop on Friday. 

ROOTS is an event series to explore the multifaceted impact of racial identity on academics, community and personal life, according to MRSU President Gabrielle Denniston. 

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Other Stuff

By Hannah Reynolds | Students in the University of Minnesota’s Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program showcased their work this week on campus, spotlighting their research and creative exploration.

Featuring work by first- and second-year candidates in the three-year interdisciplinary program, this year's “thresholds” exhibition displays pieces that highlight each artist's work across a variety of different mediums. The exhibition has been on view in the Regis Center for Art Quarter Gallery and will run until April 19.