Notes & Quotes: #19 Michigan 81, #11 Ohio State 81

Jan. 14, 2012

N O T E S

• Today's meet marked the second annual dual meet between Ohio State and Michigan. OSU now leads the series with on win and a tie. The Buckeyes defeated the Wolverines, 83-78, in the inaugural dual.

PERSONAL RECORDS

Name	Event	Mark
Tofunmi Akeredolu	Long Jump	5.99m (19-08.00)
Emily Pendleton	Shot Put	15.40m (50-06.25)
Ada Unachukwu	Triple Jump	12.68m (41-07.25)
	60m	7.72
Charlotte Cahill	60m	7.78
Shannon Osika	Mile	4:43.79
Megan Weschler	Mile	4:54.53
Taylor Moore-Willis	60m Hurdles	9.49
Alex Leptich	3,000m	9:45.17
Mary Grace Pellegrini	3,000m	9:56.16

Q U O T E S

Michigan Head Coach James Henry
On improving from last weekend's meet ... "That's what I'm most pleased about -- that fact that we did not win, but we did not lose, we tied. I was most pleased with the majority of the athletes competing well despite Ohio State's home-field advantage and the crowd. I saw significant improvement. They rose to the occasion and I consider this the official opening of our competitive season. Last weekend was the opening of our home meets, but this is our official opening, so I'm pleased with our team."

On the close meet ... "There was never more than a three- or four- point spread from the start because we are very, very good in our middle-distance and distance events and they were good in the sprints and hurdles. It pretty much became a tie at that point. I thought the difference was in the triple jump -- winning the triple jump was really good for us, as well as winning the shot put -- those two areas pretty much gave us that advantage."

On starting a new tradition with Ohio State ... "It's good for us, especially early in the year. It helps us make sure this team is in shape and ready to compete and they're ready to step up early. To have this meet with a rival program like Ohio State, it makes it that much more important because the kids like the rivalry. They're the Buckeyes and we're the Wolverines and like oil and water, they don't go together. It's perfect for us to kick off the season and for us to do well."

U-M Fifth-Year Senior Thrower Emily Pendleton
On the team's performance as a whole ... "Our team as a whole, we came together and we did really, really well. Granted, I know we all wanted to win but tying with OSU, who was the Big Ten champ last year, was a great accomplishment. We know where we need to improve and I think going into the rest of the season having tied with OSU is great. Winning would have been even better, but the tie definitely builds some confidence."

On winning the shot put after redshirting last season ... "It's been really nice to compete for Michigan again. Last year, I competed on my own, but it's not the same without wearing the Maize and Blue. I was really excited to come to the dual since it was my first one this year. It's a great meet to go to with just the two teams. There is such a great rivalry there that it's a lot of fun for everybody. We're really excited to compete against Ohio State."

On building a tradition between Ohio State and Michigan in track ... "Everybody knows that there's a big Ohio State-Michigan rivalry in football, but it's kind of nice to have that big of a rivalry displayed in track also. Everyone is really excited and was really amped for this meet. It's a great chance our team to come together and try to win something as a team as opposed to just doing things as individuals. In track, a lot of it is individual but to be able to come together to win a team championship, you all have to come together. It's a good thing for us to do before Big Tens."

On returning home for the Simmons-Harvey Invitational next weekend ... "We are all looking forward to competing again next weekend to improve on what didn't go well this week. At home meets you always have a little bit of a home-field advantage, so you're comfortable in your own place. Hopefully, next week we can improve on things that didn't do our way this week and all come together next weekend as a team."