Beyond the Sidelines: The Doctors Behind the Gophers' Sweet 16 Run
On Sunday, March 22, Jacob Ristow, MD, and Elizabeth Arendt, MD, were at Williams Arena with the Gophers as they competed against Ole Miss in the second round of the women’s NCAA Tournament. They were there as Amaya Battle made the tiebreaking jump shot with just 0.8 seconds left, advancing the Gophers to the Sweet 16 for the first time in 21 years.
For Dr. Arendt, being courtside was especially meaningful, as it reflected a career dedicated to Gopher athletics. Having joined in 1985 as co-physician for women’s athletics and later serving as medical director for all sports from 1990 to 2010, she has influenced generations of student-athletes. In recent years, she has remained closely involved as an orthopedic consultant. When Dr. Ristow joined as a co-physician in 2023, it helped to ensure a seamless transition as Dr. Arendt completes her final season, culminating in this historic tournament run.
“It was great to be back in the Barn with the entire fan base rocking! Just like the Lindsay days in 2003–2005. So great to see our Minnesota fans united, and our Lady Gophers never giving up. They stuck with it until the very end. Pure joy.” - Dr. Elizabeth Arendt
This milestone is also significant for Dr. Ristow. Now in his third year as team physician, he is experiencing his first trip to the Sweet 16 alongside the team.
“Being a team physician is a lot of work, but it is incredibly rewarding. It is a part of my job that I love. This team, in particular, is very exciting. It’s been so much fun taking care of them and following them through the season and the postseason. It is an incredible group of young women. I think one cool thing about being a physician is that you get to see these young athletes grow as players but also people, and I’m so proud of what they are doing.” - Dr. Jacob Ristow
While fans see team physicians on the sidelines during games, ready to respond when injuries occur, much of their work happens far from the spotlight. They are, in many ways, the athletes’ doctors around the clock. As Dr. Ristow describes it, while he is a surgeon, not every issue requires surgery. Much of their role involves diagnosing, managing, and guiding recovery through non-surgical care, keeping athletes healthy and performing at their best.
That care is a team effort. Alongside Dr. Arendt and Dr. Ristow are two additional medical doctors and an athletic trainer, all working together to monitor injuries, manage recovery, and support the team's overall health and performance throughout the season.
What makes this run feel especially meaningful is who is doing it. This Gophers team is deeply homegrown. Amaya Battle, the senior point guard who threw the game-winning shot, grew up in Hopkins and won two high school state championships on the very same floor at Williams Arena. Mara Braun is from Wayzata. Niamya Holloway is from Eden Prairie. Sophie Hart, a Minnesota native who played at N.C. State, transferred back home to finish her career as a Gopher. They chose Minnesota and stayed through difficult seasons because this is where they are from. Watching them make history in front of a sold-out Williams Arena crowd, in the city they grew up in, is a story that goes beyond basketball.
Now, the Gophers turn their attention to their next challenge: a matchup against UCLA, the No. 1 seed in their bracket and ranked No. 2 in the country. It’s a formidable opponent and a high-stakes opportunity.
As the team prepares for the Sweet 16, they do so with a full support system behind them—one that spans decades of experience and a shared commitment to athlete care. For Dr. Arendt, it is the closing chapter of an extraordinary career in college sports, one defined by dedication, excellence, and a genuine love for the student-athletes she has served. For Dr. Ristow, it is the beginning of a new era.
We are cheering them on as they travel to face UCLA next.
