Weekly Release #6
2/8/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
Upcoming Schedule
Fri-Sat., Feb. 11-12 -- at Sykes-Sabok Challenge Cup (State College, Pa.)
Saturday, Feb. 19 -- Silverston Invitational (U-M Indoor Track Building), 9 a.m.
This Week: Sykes-Sabok Challenge Cup
The Wolverines compete in the Sykes-Sabok Challenge Cup on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 11-12 in State College, Pa. at the Horace Ashenfelter III Indoor Track. Defending Big Ten Indoor Champions Penn State will highlight a field that includes Cornell, Penn, Central Michigan, Buffalo, Kent State, Pittsburgh and Manhattan. The meet begins on Friday at 5:30 p.m. and continues on Saturday beginning at 10 a.m.
This is Michigan's second scored meet of the season. The Wolverines won the Michigan Intercollegiate against the top schools in the state. At last year's Sykes-Sabok Challenge, Michigan finished third in a field of 12 behind Penn State and Ohio State. Lindsey Gallo finished first in the 3,000-meter run (coincidentally one week after running the fastest mile in the nation). Andrea Parker also scored, placing fourth in the 5,000-meter run.
This year, some of the nation's best throwers, middle-distance and distance athletes will compete over two days. The Wolverines have had a number of dominating performances in middle-distance and distance events this season with two of the top seven 800-meter run times in the nation, three of the top 12 mile times and three of the top 15 3,000-meter run times. Michigan also sports the Big Ten's top three milers and 3,000-meter run competitors. Michigan's distance medley relay team has the third fastest time in the nation this season (11:05.33) behind Villanova (11:05.23) and North Carolina (11:05.31).
Penn State has been strong in middle-distance and throwing events this season, led by freshman Shana Cox's running and junior Jennifer Leatherman's throws. Cox holds the nations's second fastest time in the 200-meter dash (23.48) and the third fastest time in the 400-meter dash (52.75). Cox was a U.S. Junior All-American in 2004, finishing third in the 200-meter dash at the Junior National Championships and earning a spot on the Junior World Championship team. Leatherman, a transfer from the Naval Academy, has the conference's best marks in the shot put and weight throw. Her season-best in the weight throw (65-3 1/4, 19.89m) is 12th in the nation up to this point. While at Navy, Leatherman won the Patriot League indoor weight throw and finished second in the shot put. Senior Kate Johnston is 23rd in the nation in the weight throw (63-0 1/4, 19.12m), taking fourth at the 2004 Big Ten Indoor Championship. Penn State sports the top three 200-meter dash times in the Big Ten and the top two 400-meter dash times, while its 4x400-meter relay squad has the conference's fastest time this season (3:40.54).
Pittsburgh senior Maureen McCandless is tops in the nation in the 5,000-meter run and holds school records in the 1,500-, 3,000- and 5,000-meter run. Panther senior Amanda Walker looks to compete with the Big Ten's best, holding the sixth-best shot put performance in the nation (16.53m) and the ninth-best weight throw performance (20.09m). Walker is the defending Big East shot put champion and finished runner-up in the weight throw. She holds school records in the indoor and outdoor shot put, the discus and the hammer throw. Junior pole vaulter Marissa Dudek has the nation's 11th-best performance, clearing 3.97 meters (13-0 1/4) and is the defending Big East indoor champion. Senior Lamoy Stevens is 21st in the the nation in the triple jump.
Kent State senior Breann Smith is17th in the nation in the shot put (50-9 1/2, 15.48m), while teammate Donielle Swany is 19th in the country in the weight throw (63-3 1/2, 19.29m) after redshirting the 2004 indoor and outdoor seasons.
Buffalo senior Faith Thompson is 18th in the country in the weight throw (63-6 1/4, 19.36m), while Manhattan junior Marina Liander has the 32nd best performance in the nation in the weight throw (61-2 1/4, 18.65m).
Cornell senior Kate Boyles Cornell has the sixth-best time in the 5,000-meter run (16:18.95) and the 31st-best time in the 3,000-meter run (9:34.64).
Central Michigan junior Jackie Smart is 19th in the nation in the triple jump (41-10, 12.75m), taking second at the Michigan Intercollegiate (39-11 1/2, 12.18m).
Last Week - Two Automatics and Three Provisionals at Meyo Invite
U-M pulled out a pair of NCAA automatic-qualifying times and three provisional times at the Meyo Invitational at Notre Dame's Loftus Center. Fifth-year senior Lindsey Gallo had a first-place performance and an NCAA automatic-qualifying time in the mile (4:37.97), while also anchoring the Wolverines' distance medley relay team that shattered the Loftus Center Indoor Track record and set an NCAA automatic-qualifying standard, clocking in at 11:05.33. The DMR time was the second-fastest in Michigan history next to the 1998 national championship squad that clocked in at 11:03.28.
Freshman Alyson Kohlmeier recorded a fourth-place finish in the mile with an NCAA provisional time of 4:43.87, while in the 800-meter run, freshman Nicole Edwards (2:07.48) and senior/junior Theresa Feldkamp (2:08.19) provisionally qualified in the event as well as contributing to the Wolverines' DMR success.
Senior Sierra Hauser-Price pulled triple duty, taking fourth in the 60-meter dash (7.54) and fourth in the 200-meter dash (24.26), while running the 400-meter leg of Michigan's record-setting DMR.
NCAA Automatic and Provisional Qualifiers So Far...
AUTOMATIC QUALIFIERS
Lindsey Gallo, mile: 4:37.97 at Meyo Invitational (2/5).
Stephanie Linz, high jump: Cleared 6-0 1/2 at Kentucky Invitational (1/15).
Distance Medley Relay: 11:05.33 at Meyo Invitational (2/4).
PROVISIONAL QUALIFIERS
Lindsey Gallo: mile: 4:45.28 at Kentucky Invitational (1/15)
Lindsey Gallo: 3,000m: 9:23.40 Michigan Intercollegiate (1/29)
Nicole Edwards: 800m: 2:07.48 Meyo Invitational (2/5)
Nicole Edwards: mile: 4:45.98 Michigan Intercollegiate (1/29)
Alyson Kohlmeier: mile: 4:43.87 Meyo Invitational (2/5)
Alyson Kohlmeier: mile: 4:46.90 Michigan Intercollegiate (1/29)
Alyson Kohlmeier: 3,000m: 9:23.57 at Kentucky Invitational (1/15)
Theresa Feldkamp: 800m: 2:08.19 Meyo Invitational (2/5)
Rebecca Walter: 3,000m: 9:23.15 at Kentucky Invitational (1/15)
Trackwire 25
Michigan climbed from seventh to No. 6 in the Trackwire 25 with 25 points, remaining the highest ranked Big Ten school on the list. Stanford climbed to No. 1, while LSU stood pat at No. 2 and Tennessee dropped from first to No. 3. Miami and Florida are tied for fourth in the nation with 30 points.
Dandy Dozen
Michigan's distance medley relay team justified its top ranking after running the fastest time in the nation at the Meyo Invitational.
Fifth-year senior Lindsey Gallo wrested first place in the mile from Villanova's Marian Muncan after running the fastest mile in the nation last weekend.
Freshman Alyson Kohlmeier debuts at No. 8 in the mile after running a provisional-qualifying time last weekend. Kohlmeier was listed 12th in the 3,000-meter run two weeks ago but dropped off the radar on last week's Dandy Dozen list.
Junior Katie Erdman fell off the list in the 800-meter run, while freshman Nicole Edwards returned at No. 7 in the 800-meter run after dropping off the radar last week.
Senior/junior Theresa Feldkamp debuts at No. 9 in the 800-meter run after running a provisional-qualifying time last weekend.
Senior/junior Stephanie Linz climbed one spot to No. 7 in the high jump.
Junior/sophomore Rebecca Walter also fell from the Dandy Dozen in the 3,000-meter run after ranking eighth a week ago.
DMR Team Sets Notre Dame Indoor Record With Second-Fastest Time
Michigan's distance medley relay team ran the second-fastest time in school history at the Meyo Invitational, shattering the Loftus Center Indoor Track record and automatically qualifying for the NCAA Indoor Championship with a time of 11:05.33. The combo of freshman Nicole Edwards, senior Sierra-Hauser Price, senior/junior Theresa Feldkamp and fifth-year senior Lindsey Gallo ran the best time in over six years, clocking in just behind the 1998 national champion Wolverines who led the nation with a time of 11:03.28.
Gallo's Weekend - Two Autos, School Record and Big Ten Weekly Award
Fifth-year senior Lindsey Gallo had two NCAA automatic-qualifying times at the Meyo Invitational, broke Michigan's mile record (running the fastest mile in the nation) and won U-M's third Big Ten Athlete of the Week award - all in one weekend. Gallo ran a program-best 4:37.97 mile, at Notre Dame and helped push Michigan past the competition in the DMR with the second-fastest time in school history (11:05.33), breaking the Loftus Center Indoor Track record and automatically qualifying for the NCAA Indoor Championship. Gallo's conference award is the first indoor citation of her career.
Oh Canada - Thanks for the Freshmen!
Freshmen Canadians Nicole Edwards and Alyson Kohlmeier have commbined for five NCAA provisional-qualifying times this season, with Edwards setting provisional times in the 800-meter run and the mile, while Kohlmeier has a pair of provisional times in the mile and a provisional time in the 3,000-meter run. Edwards is also a member of Michigan's NCAA automatic-qualifying distance medley relay team, running the 1,200-meter leg.
Michigan Dominates the Mile
Michigan has set four NCAA provisional qualifying times in the mile this season and boasts the top three Big Ten milers this season. Fifth-year senior Lindsey Gallo clocked in with an automatic-qualifying time of 4:37.97 at the Meyo Invitational, the fastest mile in the nation this year. Freshman Alyson Kohlmeier ran a career-best 4:43.87 at the Meyo Invitational for her second provisional time of the season, the eighth-fastest mile in the country.
Freshman Nicole Edwards won the mile in the Michigan Intercollegiate and had a provisional-qualifying time of 4:45.98 - the 12th-best mile in the nation.
800-Meter Supremacy
Michigan boasts the Big Ten's top two 800-meter athletes, led by freshman Nicole Edwards and senior/junior Theresa Feldkamp. Edwards ran a provisional-qualifying time (2:07.48) at the Meyo Invitational - the fourth-fastest time in the nation - while Feldkamp provisionally qualified with a time of 2:08.19 at the Meyo - the seventh-best time in the nation.
Michigan has claimed the last two 800-meter Big Ten titles (Theresa Feldkamp in 2004 and Rachel Sturtz in 2003).
Hauser-Price Leads Michigan in the 60- and 200-meter dash
Senior Sierra Hauser-Price has run Michigan's fastest 60- and 200-meter times this year, ranking fourth and fifth respectively in the Big Ten Conference. Her 200-meter dash time has improved every week of the season and her slowest 60-meter dash time this season was 7.54 seconds. Hauser-Price also contributed to Michigan's outstanding DMR performance at the Meyo Invitational, running the 400-meter leg.
It's a Dunn Deal - Career-Bests at the Meyo Invitational
The Dunn twins - juniors Melissa Dunn and Monica Dunn - had career-bests in the 800-meter run at the Meyo Invitational, clocking in at 2:14.36 and 2:15.10 for 27th and 29th place, in separate heats. Melissa has Michigan's fifth-best time (13th in the Big Ten) in the 800-meter run this season, while Monica has U-M's sixth-best time (15th in the Big Ten).
Back-to-Back Big Ten Weekly Awards
Michigan has dominated the Big Ten Conference's weekly awards this season, winning the first two laurels of the season with record-breaking performances. Junior/sophomore Rebecca Walter won the intial Big Ten Athlete of the Week award with a personal best 4:51.54 in the mile, just 3.94 seconds shy of the NCAA provisional qualifying standard. The next week, senior/junior Stephanie Linz automatically qualified for the NCAA Indoor Championship with a clearance of 6-0 1/2 at the Kentucky Invitational, a personal best.
All-American Returns to the Fold - Qualifies for NCAA Indoors
After a year at Oakland University, 2003 All-American high jumper senior/junior Stephanie Linz returned to action after a year's hiatus and promptly recorded an NCAA automatic qualifying standard in the high jump in her first road meet. She cleared 6-0 1/2 at the Kentucky Invitational to finish second to 2004 U.S. Olympian Chaunte Howard, who also cleared 6-0 1/2. Linz was an All-American at Michigan in 2003 before transferring to Oakland University where she played volleyball for the Grizzlies.
Pentathletes Kick Off Season
Senior Jennifer Williams and junior Beth Vinckier competed in the pentathlon for the first time all season at the Michigan Intercollegiate, placing fifth and sixth respectively. Williams set four career highs, including new bests in the 60-meter hurdles, long jump, shot put and total points, while Vinckier set new career highs across the board in five events as well as putting up a new personal-best point total.
Hauser-Price - From the Hardwood to the 400-Meter
Senior Sierra Hauser-Price competed in her first career indoor meet and her first 400-meter event at the Jack Harvey Invitational, claiming the title in a time of 57.57. She followed it up with a fifth-place finish at the Kentucky Invitational, clocking in at 56.54 and shaving 1.03 seconds off her time from the Jack Harvey. Hauser-Price competed with the Michigan women's basketball team the last three seasons, averaging 26 minutes, 3.5 points and recording 37 steals last season. Hauser-Price has typically competed in the 100 and 200-meter dash in the outdoor season.
4x800-Meter Relay Team Sets Kentucky Indoor Record
Michigan's 4x800-meter relay team set a Nutter Field House indoor record at the Kentucky Invitational clocking in at 8:47.75, shattering the previous record by 6.01 seconds (set by Auburn University in 2003.) Sophomore/freshman Laura Glynn, freshman Nicole Edwards, senior/junior Theresa Feldkamp and fifth-year senior Lindsey Gallo finished nearly 26 seconds faster than the second-place Clemson Tigers.
Captains of the Ship
Head coach James Henry selected four captains to lead the 2005 Wolverines. Fifth-year seniors Lindsey Gallo and Lynn Gasparella, senior Keri Kirk and junior/sophomore Rebecca Walter will serve as co-captains for Michigan in 2005.
Record Breaking Intrasquad
Michigan held its Maize and Blue Co-Ed Intrasquad on Dec. 11 and 12, shattering five intrasquad records in a preseason tune-up. The women's Maize squad took 12 of 14 events to help the Maize squad capture a 660-550 victory. Fifth-year senior Lindsey Gallo broke two intrasquad records en route to victories in the 1,200 and 3,000-meter events. Gallo shaved five seconds off the previous best in the 1,200-meter and lapped the 13-person field in the 3,000-meter to better the previous high water mark by 18 seconds, clocking in at 9:41.02.
Senior Sierra Hauser-Price led an 11-person field in the 200-meter dash to set a new intrasquad record with a time of 25:05, 0.53 seconds faster than the old record. Senior/junior Stephanie Linz won the high jump with a clearance of 5-10 3/4, adding a full three inches to the previous high. Junior Elizabeth Boyle bettered her own intrasquad record with a mark of 12-0 1/2, more than a foot higher than the previous best.
Returning Champions
Michigan returns four Big Ten champions from last year's indoor and outdoor teams. Junior Katie Erdman returns after winning the 600-meter in the indoor season, joining senior/junior Theresa Feldkamp, the 800-meter indoor champion. Outdoor returning champions include junior pole vaulter Elizabeth Boyle and double Big Ten champion fifth-year senior Lindsey Gallo who is the defending 800 and 1,500-meter champion.
Five of Six or Eight of Ten - Dominating Either Way in the Big Ten
With Michigan's 2004 Big Ten Outdoor championship, the Wolverines have captured the last three outdoor conference titles and two of the last three indoor championships, taking second in 2004. If cross country titles are added to Michigan's totals, the Wolverines' 2002, '03 and '04 cross country titles would give Michigan eight of the last 10 Big Ten cross country and track and field titles.
Recordholders Return
Six Wolverines, holding eight school records, return for the 2005 season. Junior Katie Erdman holds school records in the indoor 600 and 800-meter and was a member of Michigan's record-breaking 4x800-meter outdoor relay team. Fifth-year senior Lindsey Gallo returns with two records in her holster - the outdoor 800 and 1,500-meter - while also holding a chunk of the 4x800-meter outdoor relay record.
Junior Elizabeth Boyle returns with both the indoor and outdoor pole vaulting records, while fifth-year senior Andrea Parker returns with Michigan's 3000-meter steeplechase record. Fifth-year senior Anna Jones and senior/junior Theresa Feldkamp are the other half of Michigan's 4x800-meter outdoor relay team.
Looking Ahead
Michigan hosts its final regular-season indoor meet with the Silverston Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 19 at 9 a.m.
Contact: Richard Retyi (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
