I The Michigan Daily - Thursday, September 24, 1998 - 19A Mortimer plans for repeat victory By Jeff Druchniak For the Daily Michigan has been waiting for this weekend all year. *'he Wolverines been practicing for weeks. But the season will finally begin for the Michigan men's cross country team this Saturday west of the Mississippi. Friday morning, the defending Big Ten champions will loard a plane for Missoula, Mont., the site of the Mountain West Classic. Michigan will be joined by 13 other teams, and will pop the cork on a promising season, after finishing fourth in the nation last year. 7 Michigan coach Ron Warhurst, entering his 25th year call- ing the shots for the Wolverines, thinks the field is just as tough, if not tougher, than the one Michigan defeated at this meet in 1997, winning the tournament in an upset. *rhaps the most formidable opponent Michigan will face is Oregon, ranked third in the nation. "Last year they were the favorites, and we beat them by 30 points," Warhurst said. "I think they're a better team this year. They have a new coach, the (former coach) from Wisconsin, who's familiar with our personnel ... If we can finish within 30 points of them, I'll be very pleased." The meet will also be attended by Washington State, Brigham Young and Arizona. Each of these teams could give Michigan senior John imer fits if he plans to repeat as individual champion of t meet. Michigan returns every member of last year's team with the exception of captain and four-year letterman Kevin Sullivan. The Wolverines will rely on veteran leadership from Mortimer, Ann Arbor natives Todd Snyder and Don McLaughlin, and juniors Jay Cantin and Steve Lawrence. But Warhurst is looking for sophomore Mike Wisniewski and freshman Mark Pilja to step up and contribute as well. One of the challenges for the Wolverines will be adjusting from the demanding practice regimen they have been iiersed in while waiting for the season to start. Seattle beckons cross country McGuire, women's team 'excited' about trip westward By Ryan C. Moloney For the Daily With the weather still warm in this young cross country season and the fifth-ranked Wolverines itching to face some top-flight teams, women's coach Mike McGuire came up with the perfect solution: Take a trip out west. The Wolverines will travel to Seattle for Saturday's Sundodger Invitational. "We're excited about going out there," McGuire said. "It will pro- vide us excellent competition and a course where the times make sense because it is established." The race will mark the first time this season that the Wolverines have ventured outside their region. "Our formula going into the nationals is that the top two teams from each region go automatically," McGuire said. "All else is made up of a power formula which consists of beating teams out of our region such as Washington and Arizona State." In addition, the team is looking to bolster its own performance by run- ning against some of the best women's cross country teams in the Pac-10 conference. "Without question, the Pac-10 is the best conference in the country in terms of depth," McGuire said. Stanford, the defending Pac-10 champion, has won the national championship in each of the past two seasons. While Stanford won't participate in this meet, two top conference teams - Washington and Arizona State - will provide ample competi- tion for the Wolverines. "We're ranked fifth, so (Washington) can put another notch on their holster if they beat us," McGuire said. As usual, the team is led by peren- nial front-runners Katie McGregor and Elizabeth Kampfe. The rest of the team, particularly the fifth through seventh runners, must step up their performances. "They are improving," McGuire said of the pack. "But we want to get them closer to the front." Third and fourth runners Katy Radkewich and Michelle Slater will concentrate on closing the gap between McGregor and Kampfe. Additionally, McGuire is anticipat- ing quality performances from Julie Froud and Katie Ryan. "If Froud can improve more in this meet she can get into the picture and Katie Ryan is coming off a good meet," McGurie said. "We've workeid hard this year to improve and we should do that." LOUIS BROWN/Daily John Mortimer is heading to Montana this weekend with one thought on his mind - repeating as the cross country champion at the Mountain West Classic. "We've been training hard," Warhurst said. "It's too early in the season to rest for a meet." "Nonetheless, after a hard practice yesterday, he expected to run light workouts today and tomorrow. The 8,000-meter course will be negotiated by the I1 mem- bers of Michigan's travel squad at 12:15 p.m. Saturday. Their physical condition will be tested by both the opposition and the environment. "The terrain isn't so challenging, but the course is at high altitude. There's one big hill that gets tough by the third time you run it," Warhurst observed. And what preparations will Warhurst's team make for these conditions? "Just get a good night's sleep," he said. p U I Are you a I reshman' Did you order a New Student Record? .......s ... ...... ...1.. .. .U AC, . O ffire . : i L2:Sv_;j 4.Lft - .. it you aia, then we want you to come down to the e., ice, room 4002 in the Michigan Union, as soon as possible to come pick up your copy. We're in the office from 9:30AM to 5:30PM so , " _ just drop by and pick up your order. If you have any questions, give us a calat 763.1107. University Activities Center K I This is your party mix.