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Women run roughshod over field, taking first by 17-point margin

Everywhere the Michigan women's track team went, rain was sure to follow.

For the second time in as many weeks nature proved the biggest hurdle for the Wolverines. However, this time, the competition continued through the rain and cold as Michigan ran off with a first-place finish at the Colonial Relays in Williamsburg, Va.

With its 49-point performance, Michigan sat high and dry above second-place Seton Hall, which finished a distant 17 points back. James Madison grabbed third with 29 points, and Mount St. Mary's and Norfolk State rounded out the top five with 27 and 26 points, respectively.

"The weekend was pretty cold and rainy," Michigan coach James Henry said. "But we did get the chance to compete."

Between numerous periods of rain, Michigan managed several outstanding performances.

Senior high jumper Monika Black cleared the bar at 5-feet-11 1/2 en route to the Athlete of the Meet award. Second-place finisher, Buffalo's Shelly Hamilton, finished a full two inches behind Black at 5-feet-9 1/2.

"I think it was a really good meet," Black said. "It was more of a confidence building meet. We all stood out in the rain and supported each other."

One athlete who benefited from such support was sophomore Tania Longe. Her teammates helped cheer her along to a first-place crown in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 14.65. In addition, Longe took fourth in the long jump with a leap of 17-feet-11.

Junior Jen Barber crossed the finish line in 4:42.8, earning first place in the open 1500. Sophomore teammate Mara Guillemette followed closely behind with a third-place time of 4:53.0.

After an impressive indoor season, freshman Sarah Hamilton extended her excellence to the outdoor turf, winning the frosh 1500 in 4:43.1.

Other athletes turning in stellar individual performances over the weekend included senior Tearza Johnson, who blazed her way to the gold with a 12.45 in the 100. With outstanding efforts from freshmen of Atiya Bussey (12.75) and Rachel Edwards (12.83), the Wolverines completed a 1-2-3 sweep in the event.

Michigan's throwers followed suit, turning in a similar sweep of their own in the shot put. Following the senior leadership of Jayna Greiner (42-feet-6), freshmen Stephanie Wigness and Nikki Keith tied for second with heaves of 39-feet-7 3/4. Wigness also won the discus with a toss of 147-feet-1.

Sophomore Michelle Slater finished fifth in the open 3000 at 10:03.3, while sophomore Tiffin Goodman placed seventh overall in the open 5,000 (18:16.2).

The Wolverines complemented their numerous solid individual performances with a strong team effort as well, capturing first in the 4 x 400 relay. Hamilton, along with junior Lamika Harper, freshman Angie Stanifer and sophomore Brandy Taylor teamed for a 3:55.8 run.

In the 4 x 800, Michigan received a strong effort from Stanifer, who, along with Babcock, Slater, and freshman Katie McGregor, took first in 9:04.9.

"Our kids were tough," Michigan assistant Mike McGuire said. "They did a nice job considering the conditions."

"It was raining and it was freezing," Longe said. "We just tried to keep our clothes dry."

This week the Wolverines trek to Knoxville, Tenn., and Ohio, where they hope to dry out after a rainy week that led to canceled events and frustration.

"We've had two weeks of bad weather," Henry said. "It wasn't the conditions we were looking for."