4 22A - The Michigan Daily - SportsTuesday - September 3, 2002 Solidarity replaces star power for Blue harriers Post-Webb life now a reality for Michigan By Joe Ferrentino For The Daily The Michigan men's cross country team rode the performance of three All-Americans, including freshman phenom Alan Webb, to an 1 ith-place finish at the NCAA National Championships last year. This year, it's out to prove it doesn't need star power to succeed. This year Michigan coach Ron Warhurst is expecting a total team effort from the young Wolverines, and he is pleased with what he has seen so far. "We've had some tremendous workouts, as far as having 10 or 12 guys together the whole way," said Warhurst. "(When) a guy falls off the pack (they say), 'Come on, let's go. You gotta stay with us.' That's what builds your team." Team development will be very important for a senior-free group that lacks an experi- enced leader. Two All-Americans, Mike Wisniewski and Mark Pilja, graduated. The third, Webb, left the team to pursue a professional running career. This year's team will feature a cast of lead- ers. Juniors Tom Greenless, Ryan Hesselink, and team captain Nick Stanko, along with sophomore Nathan Brannen, are among those expected to contribute. Greenless lost 12 pounds in preparation for the season. Stanko, who is in charge of all the organizational aspects of the team, is looking to overcome tendonitis in his foot. Joining that core group of veterans is Nick Willis, a freshman who ran a 1,500-meter race in 3:42 and has incredible finishing speed. "You don't need to be a senior to be a leader," said Warhurst. "Even though Nick Willis is a freshman and Nate Brannen is a sophomore, I think their maturity level and experience in international competition makes them natural leaders." While the Wolverines may be youthful, they are still an experienced squad. Brannen, who has run 1:46 for 800 meters, recently represented Canada at the Commonwealth Games. Brannen, Greenless, Hesselink, and Brian Turner all competed at the NCAA Championships last season. The Wolverines face an uphill battle if they are to match last year's 11th-place national finish. They begin the season ranked No. 28. In the Big Ten, Michigan will face tough competition from Michigan State, Wisconsin and Indiana. To reach the NCAAs, the team must first win a regional that includes all those teams, plus perennial powerhouses Notre Dame, Butler and East- ern Michigan. If the past is both gone and forgotten, look for this group to be successful. Many of the runners have shined in distances ranging from 400 meters to the mile. That pure speed, when combined with the endurance gained through running 90 miles a week, should make for an impressive group of athletes. "I think if we stay healthy, we're going to surprise some people," Warhurst said. "These kids got a lot of pride." Michigan opens its season today at 4:30 p.m. with the Michigan Open at the Universi- ty Golf Course. By Bob Hunt Daily Sports Writer Despite having never put on the maize and blue, Alan Webb came to Ann Arbor last fall as arguably the most famous athlete on campus. After breaking the 36-year-old American high school mile record in 2001, the Reston, Va. native became a national story whose races in the U.S. Track and Field National Cham- pionships even made SportsCenter. But one year later, he is not even a blip on Michigan's athletic radar screen anymore. This summer, Webb left the Uni- versity to run professionally while taking classes near his home at George Mason University. Webb signed a $250,000 a year contract with Flynn Sports Manage- ment - which represents many track and field athletes - and will train with his high school coach, Scott Raczko. "Alan Webb is history as far as we're concerned," Michigan head coach Ron Warhurst said. "He's bet- ter off where he is at." Webb's career started off well last fall when he won Big Ten Cross Country Championship and then fin- ished 11th at the NCAA Cross Coun- try Championships. But achilles tendonitis kept him from racing during the indoor sea- son, and he ran below expectations before placing fourth in the 1,500- meters at the NCAA Championships in late May. As the outdoor season came to a close, Webb discussed turning pro- fessional with Raczko, winner of the United States Track and Field 2001 NIKE Coach of the Year Award. Webb called Raczko every day last season and the two of them felt that it was for the best that Webb leave Ann Arbor. "I feel the best coach on the planet is Scott Raczko, and I want to take advantage of his talent," Webb said. For now, Webb plans to train while taking classes before running in an indoor race or two next winter. According to Warhurst, it could be five years before Webb makes an impact on the professional circuit in Europe. Last year Webb ranked just 20th in the world in the mile and 77th in the world in the 1500 meters. "He's got a lot of growing up to do," Warhurst said. "He's 19 years old and he's had the world at his feet. Unfortunately, I think he's got- ten some bad advice, but when you've got $250,000 in your pocket it's hard to say you got bad advice. "I wish him well and I hope he does well," Warhurst said. "It was a great experiment - but it didn't work." AP PHOTO Alan Webb only called Ann Arbor his home for one year. The freshman superstar left Michigan to run professionaly. Avoid the lines! Purchase Your Textbooks Online www.shamandrum.c om Place your orders online, pay by credit card, and pick up your books 24 hours later with no lines! Shaman Drum Bookshop JOBS!!! Fall Term Apply now at the Law Library- non-Law Students Law Students S.I. Students Minimum pay is $8.50 per hour! Apply at the hiring table outside room S-180 in the Law Library's underground addition. AA/EOE Ford named associate head coach for rowing By Courtney Lewis Daily Sports Writer After guiding Michigan's second var- sity eight to two Big Ten titles in the last three years and a first- place finish in the 2001 NCAA Champi- onships, assistant row- ing coach Emily Ford was rewarded with a promotion. Head coach Mark Rothstein " elevated Ford to the Ford position of associate head coach. "I think this is a better reflection of her importance to our staff," Rothstein said. Ford has worked mainly with the Wolverines' second. boat, and Rothstein said that Ford's new title will not bring a change in her responsibilities with the team - it's just more accurate. "I felt it was a more appropriate title considering her role in the success of the program," Rothstein said. The second varsity eight finished fifth at the 2002 NCAA Championships last June. Michigan placed eighth overall. Ford, in her seventh year with Michi- gan, has developed along with the pro- gram. She started as the novice team coach in 1996, and moved up when the team was granted varsity status in 1998. Since that time, Michigan finished in the top five at NCAAs three times. "We started together in the fall of 1995 and worked to build the team's success together," Rothstein said. I I 313 S. State Street (734) 662-7407 i ourijob Work hard, play hard... In the same place. Photographer DJ Director Organizer * A 20% discount on textbooks and up to a 35% discount on other store merchandise! * Career opportunities in our Bestseller Management Training Program U-M Computer Showcase To find out more call today or pick up an application in the store or online! Michigan Union