The Michigan Daily - Friday, November 18, 2005 - 9
Lifelong friends run SATURDAY'S
SETUP
from K-Zoo to nationals Thhazt. ek&os4y
By Katie Field
Daily Sports Writer
It's always better to have a friend by your
side.
This is as true in sports as it is in other aspects
of life, and it's something that Michigan wom-
en's cross country senior Arianne Field knows
better than most. Next Monday, Field will step
up to the starting line at the biggest race of her
life, the NCAA Championships. Not far down
that same white line, her best friend and team-
mate, senior Jessie Stewart, will be doing the
same.
For the Kalamazoo natives - whose paths to
success have crossed many times during their
lives - it's simply a dream come true to have
made it so far.
"We did a run together this summer, and we had
this conversation there about how we were going to
make it and run nationals," Field said. "Now that it's
actually happening, it's incredible."
Equally remarkable is the story behind their
friendship. Field and Stewart first met in pre-
school. After kindergarten, they began attend-
ing separate schools, but they eventually started
seeing each other again at track and cross coun-
try meets in high school.
Because their schools were in different
divisions - Field attended a private Catholic
school while Stewart attended a public school
- there were few opportunities for them to
compete against each other. Regardless, when
their teams did meet, they managed to remain
FILE PHOTO friendly opponents. Both Field and Stewart had
aspirations of running in college, but neither
could know that in a few short years, they would
be competing for the same team.
Once they arrived in Ann Arbor to begin
training with the Wolverines, Field and Stewart
quickly became close friends. Their strong bond
has only strengthened over their years running
together at Michigan.
They recently spent the summer working
together as waitresses and training for their
cross country season. Since having company
on distance runs makes them much more enjoy-
able, living so close to one another is advanta-
geous for both Field and Stewart.
"During our long runs in the summer we keep
each other motivated," Stewart said. "It's always
nice to have someone to chat with."
The friends don't just talk during their runs.
They take part in other more low-key activities,
too.
"We both really like to go out to eat, and we
both really like coffee," Field said. "(Stewart) is
just someone that's really fun to be around, so
we can do anything. She's just cool."
After battling injuries for her first two years
at Michigan, Stewart can really appreciate
where she is now. Having her friend with her to
experience it is even better.
"Who would have thought that we'd be run-
ning again together now?" Stewart said. "Let
alone to run at nationals. It's just awesome."
When the big race day comes, Field and
Stewart will be ready. Having faced both the
very first day of school and the often rocky
transition to college together, these friends
have shown they can do anything with each
other's support.
Seniors Jessie Stewart (above) and Arianne Field will compete together at nationals.
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