'M' track survives rain barrage at USC

The Michigan women's track team had every reason to be excited for Saturday's Big Ten vs. Pac 10 challenge in Los Angeles.

After all, the trip to sunny California and Fox Sports West 2's television coverage of the event made the four-team meet very appealing to the Wolverines.

But rain intervened in torrential fashion. While it didn't cancel the slate of events, the steady downpour destroyed most of the Wolverines' hopes of achieving personal bests.

"We were just trying to get some competition in and not kill ourselves, slipping and falling," Michigan coach James Henry said. "I was considering pulling some of my athletes. It was a disappointing day for everyone."

Battling the adverse circumstances, Michigan still managed 49 points for second place. Host USC was well ahead of the field with 76.

MARGARET MYERS/Daily Nicole Forrester and the rest of the Michigan women's track team fought bad weather conditions at Saturday's Big Ten vs. Pac 10 challenge in Los Angeles.

The format, which pitted two Big Ten representatives against those from the Pac-10. USC and Arizona doubled up the combined team score of Michigan and Ohio State, 108-54.

Field events gave the Wolverines their only two victories of the day. Senior Amy Johnson outlasted the field with her javelin throw of 115-feet-9 to win the event. Teammate Tania Longe's effort of 105-2 gave her third place.

Due to the strong wind, both Johnson and Longe fell short of their throws at the Arizona State Castillo Invitational on Mar. 28, in which both neared the 120-foot mark.

Nicole Forrester was another Wolverine who defeated the opponents - and the weather - on Saturday. By clearing the 5-foot-8 bar, her lowest height this year, Forrester earned the victory.

"I told Nicole to jump enough to win and then quit," Henry said.

For the second time in the young outdoor season, the 400-meter relay set the school record. While the youthful team of Kenise Bocage, Tamika Craig, Regine Caruthers and Maria Brown did not win the event, finishing second.

They still managed a time of 45.43 for second place, bettering the previous record by .08 seconds.

The Wolverines return to the Golden State Apr. 17-18, competing in the Mount SAC Relays in Walnut, Calif.

04-07-98