Thursday, September 7, 2006 - The Michigan Daily - 9A
Harriers a year older,
wiser going into season
By Mark Giannotto
Daily Sports Writer
Talk at the start of any season
usually centers on the optimis-
tic predictions for the upcoming
campaign. And it's no different
with the men's cross-country
team.
Last year, the team faltered
mightily, failing to qualify for
the NCAA championships for
just the second time in 15 years.
In addition, just one runner
made the field as an individual
automatic qualifier.
The 2005 squad had a num-
ber of freshman who made the
immediate jump from running
in high school to competing at
the collegiate level.
Whereas high school cross-
country races are five kilo-
meters, college cross country
courses are 10 kilometers.
With that jump in distance,
training mileage must increase
accordingly.
A freshman-laden team can
have trouble adjusting going
from the 50-60 miles per week
run in high school to the nearly
100 per week needed for col-
lege.
Now with a year of experi-
ence, the coaching staff is opti-
mistic that the younger guys
STEVEN TAI/Daily have finally made the jump.
"Last year at this time we
were running about 65-70
(miles per week), but right now
a week," Michigan coach Ron
Warhurst said. "That's going to
be the difference."
yI Warhur't has been par-
ticularly impressed with the
improvement made by redshirt
ing a goal freshmen Brandon Fellows and
st weekend. Sean McNamara and sopho-
to enter mores Lex Williams and John
'this year. It Black.
ig Ten Con- "Those kids really grew up
nt, but the a lot over the summer," War-
within their hurst said. "They went through
the growing pains last year,
experienced and I think they are adjusted
title," senior to it now. And I think they are
pencer said. just as excited about it as I am.
win it." They have the mentality that
know that they aren't afraid of the 10,000
ahead to the meters."
dule quite Junior Mike Woods will help
-conference lead those talented youngsters.
g, the team His performance last season
omplacency was one of the few bright spots
appointment for the Wolverines. Not only did
on's. he qualify for the NCAAs, but
nce on this he also finished 129 spots ahead
r leadership of his 2004 showing, placing
with upper- 55th overall. In proving himself
Senior captain Judy Coffman has helped the Wolverines start the season undefeated.
Fast start makes 200
di stant memory for
Junior captain Mike Woods and the rest of the Michigan cross country
team will look to improve upon a disappointing 2005 season.
By Robert Kaitz
Daily Sports Writer
One of the greatest aids to
a team's psyche is seeing hard
work from the offseason trans-
late into positive results, and
with a 2-0-2 start, the Michi-
gan women's soccer team is
off to a promising beginning
to the 2006 season.
Last weekend, the Wolver-
ines emerged from the Big Ten/
Big 12 Challenge in Oklahoma
with a win and a tie, further
bolstering their nonconference
resume. They had already beat-
en No. 17 Arizona on Aug. 27.
After defeating Oklahoma 2-0
last Friday, Michigan earned a
1-1 tie against Oklahoma State
when junior striker Melissa
Dobbyn notched the equalizer
in the 89th minute.
"It's pretty early, but still
encouraging to see the team
playing well," Michigan coach
Debbie Rademacher said.
This early success helps
to eliminate the memory of
last year's difficult campaign.
Michigan missed the NCAA
tournament for the first time
since 1997. Coming into the
season, the team was eager to
prove that last season would
not be repeated.
"We worked really hard in
the preseason, and our record
is really turning that work
into positive attitudes," senior
captain Judy Coffman said.
Rademacher said the team's
experience and leadership will
allow it to move forward from
last season. Seniors like Coff-
man and senior goalie Megan
Tuura will lead their team-
mates to further success with
lessons learned from past dif-
ficulties.
"I think we are trying to
accomplish goals as a team
this year," Tuura said.
Even with this emphasis on
team goals, individual acco-
lades are still recognized. In
the first four games this sea-
son, Tuura has notched three
shutouts - two more than she
had all of last year.
In addition, Dobbyn was
recognized as the Big Ten
Offensive Player of the
Week after scori
in both games la
Michigan hopes
uncharted territory
has never won a B
ference Tourname
consensus is it's
grasp.
"We're strong,
and hungry for the,
captain Katelin Sl
"It's time for us to
The Wolverines
they cannot looka
conference sche
yet. With five non
matches remainin,
is well aware that c
can result in dis
similar to last seas
"A big differer
team is our senio
and being loaded
classmen," Radem:
Rademacher w
these leaders tos
deliver with big
against Dayton an
this weekend.
There's no deny
early season succ
that the sky's the li
as the most consistent runner
on the team, Woods was named
captain by Warhurst alongside
senior Andrew Bauer.
Woods comes into the 2006
cross-country season brimming
with confidence. Over the sum-
mer, he lived in Germany and
raced all around Europe.
In the process, he set a new
personal record in the mile, run-
ning a 3:39.70. Even though his
success occurred on the track,
Woods thinks it will translate
to the cross-country season.
"It gave me a lot of confi-
dence, because there aren't a
lot of guys on the cross-country
scene who can run within two
seconds of (3:39.70)," Woods
said. "I have to start realizing
that if I can run these times on
the track, why can't I run them
in cross country?"
The immediate results for the
team seem to indicate that there
have been some positive chang-
es from last year.
With Woods out of the lineup
after a summer of racing, Mich-
igan still had the seven best
times at the Michigan Open last
weekend. But it will be anoth-
er month before the team can
really erase the memories of a
disappointing 2005.
"The first important race for us
is the (NCAA) Pre-Nationals (on
Oct. 14)," Warhurst said. "Then
we'll get a better idea of how we
stack up nationally, and whether
these guys can handle the pressure
of the big time races. We'll just
have to wait and see how it goes."
acher said.
ill call on
step up and
road games
id Kentucky
ing that this
ess is proof
imit.
WANT TO WRITE FOR DAILY SPORTS?
THAT'S A STUPID QUESTION - OF COURSE YOU DO.
COME TALK TO US AT FESTIFALL TODAY ON THE
DIAG, OR JUST COME TO OUR MASS MEETING
TONIGHT AT 8 P.M. AT 413 E. HURON ST.
Are moderate or severe
making your life a pain?
If so, consider joining
our research study.
If you suffer from moderate or severe headaches, you may be eligible to participate in
a clinical research study of the investigational use of an inhaled medication for
migraines. Eligible participants must be between 18 and 50 years of age. All study-
related procedures and study medication will be provided at no cost. Reimbursement
for travel and other study-related expenses may be provided.
For more information about this study, please contact a research nurse at
(734) 677-6000 x 4.
Michigan Head*Pain & Neurological Institute
3120 Professional Drive . Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 677-6000 - wWw.mhni.cOm