Weekly Release #1: U-M Set to Host Wolverine Open
8/26/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country
This Week
Friday, Aug. 29 -- Wolverine Open (Dexter, Mich.)
The University of Michigan women's cross country team opens its 2008 campaign Friday (Aug. 29), hosting the Wolverine Open. The Wolverine Open will be run at Hudson Mills Metropark in Dexter, Mich., at 4:45 p.m.
Last season, the Maize and Blue runners took third at the Big Ten Championships, second at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional and 21st at the NCAA Championships. Five of the seven runners that competed in the NCAA Regional and Championships return this season for the Wolverines, including fifth-year senior Nicole Edwards(Winnipeg, Manitoba/Vincent Massey), senior/juniors Geena Gall(Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc), Kelly Sampson(Detroit, Mich./Renaissance) and Katie Williams(Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington) and sophomore Danielle Tauro(Manahawkin, N.J./Southern Regional). Also returning for the Maize and Blue is fifth-year senior Alyson Kohlmeier(Sarnia, Ontario/St. Patrick's) who redshirted during the 2007 season. Kohlmeier is a three-time All-Big Ten performer.
Wolverine to Watch
| Danielle Tauro, Sophomore Last year, Tauro made her collegiate debut in grand style at the Wolverine Open, taking first place with a time of 18:22. Tauro continued to be a major contributor to the Wolverines the rest of the season, competing in six more events including the Big Ten Championships, NCAA Regional and NCAA Championships. |
Edwards Accomplishes a Michigan First
Nicole Edwards became Michigan's first two-time NCAA Regional Athlete of the Year and the first Wolverine to win two individual NCAA Regional Championships (2006-07). Four other Wolverines have won NCAA Regional titles (Molly McClimon 1993, Elizabeth Kampfe 1997, Katie McGregor 1998 and Rebecca Walter 2004) and one other U-M harrier, Walter (2004), has earned regional athlete of the year honors.
The Mike McGuire File
Mike McGuire begins his 17th season as head coach of the Michigan women's cross country team. During his tenure, the Wolverines have won eight Big Ten titles and five NCAA Regional crowns. McGuire has been honored as the Big Ten Coach of the Year on eight occasions and has been named NCAA Regional Coach of the Year five times. Under McGuire, Michigan has posted 14 top-two finishes in 16 seasons at the Big Ten Championships, 11 top-two finishes at NCAA Regionals and eight top-10 finishes at the NCAA Championships.
Up next...
Next weekend, the Maize and Blue are scheduled to participate in the Detroit Titan Invitational on Saturday (Sept. 6) in Northville, Mich. The event is scheduled to begin at 11:15 a.m.
Contact: Jeremy Reid (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
