McGuire Earns Sixth Big Ten Coach of the Year Award
11/3/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan women's cross country head coach Mike McGuire was named Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year, earning his third straight conference award and his sixth overall, while senior Rebecca Walter (Beverly Hills, Mich./Groves) earned the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award, as announced by the league office Wednesday (Nov. 3).
McGuire was voted coach of the year by the conference's head coaches after leading Michigan to its third straight Big Ten championship and the sixth title in program history. He earned Big Ten Coach of the Year accolades three straight seasons from 1992-94 and from 2002-04, while also receiving NCAA Regional Cross Country Coach of the Year honors three years (1992-94). McGuire has coached 49 cross country and track and field All-Americans and five Big Ten cross country individual champions.
Walter earned the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award for her ethical behavior and good sportsmanship during competition. She placed second overall at the Big Ten Championships, helping Michigan capture its third straight conference title. Walter earned All-Big Ten first team honors for the third straight season after securing the Big Ten individual championship in 2003. She is now eligible for the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award, which is awarded to one male and one female student-athlete from each institution at the end of the school year.
At the 2004 Big Ten Championships the Maize and Blue placed three harriers in the top 10 while scoring all five runners in the top 16. Michigan has finished in the top two at the Big Ten Championships in 12 of McGuire's 13 seasons at the helm, while 10 of his squads have earned top-15 national finishes and six have finished in the top 10. The 1994 Wolverines finished the season second in the nation, while McGuire led the 2003 team to a No. 4 finish.
Michigan competes in the NCAA Great Lakes Regional on Saturday, Nov. 13, at Eagle Crest Golf Course in Ypsilanti, Mich. The women's 6,000-meter race is slated for an 11:30 a.m. start.
Contact: Richard Retyi (734) 763-4423
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