The Michigan women's track team heads into tobacco country this weekend hoping to smoke the competition at the Raleigh Relays.
Michigan is coming off a strong showing in their first outdoor competition this season at the Wake Forest Invitational, but ironically, Michigan coach James Henry hopes that the Wolverines won't do quite as well at this weekend's meet.
"Last weekend fit out needs quite well," Henry said. "I was pleased with our performances, but I want competition where the kids aren't winning. I want them to work a lot harder, and it's easier to work hard when there are people in front of you than if there are only people behind you."
Among those who Henry hopes will be pushed by the competition this weekend are Tania Longe, who won three events last weekend, and Maria Brown, who took first in both sprints.
In the 4 x 100-meter relay, the team of Brown, Kenise Bocage, Brandi Bentley and Aniya Bussey hopes to improve on last week's time of 46.35 - the third fastest time in Michigan history.
The Wolverines are also hoping for more competition in the distance events where the Wolverines dominated last weekend, taking the top four places in the 3,000 and the top two places in the 1,500.
Along with giving the team a chance to push themselves, Henry believes the Raleigh Relays will give the Wolverines a much needed chance to train outdoors - difficult to do in Ann Arbor.
"The opportunity to compete in the warm weather, and to get a couple of training sessions in outdoors is something I hope this competition will give us," Henry said.