In the Spotlight: Rachel Barrett
10/15/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country
Sophomore/freshman Rachel Barrett of the fifth-ranked University of Michigan women's cross country team spent her rookie season with the Maize and Blue as a redshirt campaign. Now in her sophomore season, Barrett is ready for the chance to prove herself worthy of a spot in the lineup. She made her Michigan debut at Vanderbilt's Commodore Classic (Sept. 19), helping U-M take the team title at the 5K event. Now, Barrett is one of 12 Wolverines in uniform for this weekend's NCAA Pre Nationals meet in Louisville, Kentucky. Most of her teammates have already seen the course, but this weekend will be her first look at E.P. Tom Sawyer Park, and on top of that, this is Barrett's first collegiate 6K. She stopped by 'In the Spotlight' to talk to MGoBlue.com about the emotions surrounding her first 6K race, handling team success and the importance of this weekend's football game in her household as a Michigan native.
On seeing the NCAA Championship course, especially considering her teammates ran it for the Greater Louisville Classic earlier this month ... "As a team, it is really important to get an early look at the NCAA Championship course that we are going to be running soon. A lot of the girls have already seen the course, but they saw it as a 5K for the Greater Louisville Classic. For me, it's especially important because this is my first 6K, so it's cool for that to be on the same course where nationals is going to be."
On the emotions surrounding her as she is making her in-uniform debut at 6,000-meters ... "I am mostly just excited. Running my first 6K is going to be pretty cool, and my family might actually come down to the race to see. It would be a long drive for them, but I hope they can make it. I'm a little nervous, but I'm mainly just excited.
On the importance of the football game against Michigan State this weekend being a native Michigander ... "I'm from Milford, Michigan, and we are a big Michigan house. Ever year this weekend is a big weekend for everyone to watch that game. Jamie Morrissey and I are already getting everything set up on laptops so we can watch the game on the bus ride home after the meet Saturday."
On how the team is staying focused this year, managing early season team success ... "Everyone is paying more attention to their own bodies and looking at how they need to take care of themselves instead of looking at what everyone else is doing. I think that helps everyone stay healthy, and when everyone stays healthy we can perform at our best."
• Previous Spotlight: Anna Pasternak
Communications Contact: Chad Shepard
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