No monkey business for 'M' track at nationals

Even if they don't win any titles, they still might get to see some gorillas.

MARGARET MYERS/Daily John Mortimer makes up a ninth of the Michigan delegation to the NCAA Track and Field Championships.

It's happened before. Like at Big Tens, when a large chunk of the Michigan track team was sitting in a restaurant in Columbus. On the TV above them was a nature show - possibly. They couldn't tell without the sound on. All they could tell was that it was some show involving several gorillas whose main purpose was to jump around and be, well, gorillas.

"We laugh at the silliest things," said Elizabeth Kampfe, who will run in her first-ever NCAA track championship in the 10,000-meter run. She'll be joined on the women's team by Maria Brown in the 100 and fellow distance runner Katie McGregor in the 5,000.

John Mortimer will run the 5,000 for the men, as well as the 3,000 steeplechase. Kevin Sullivan will run his last race as a Wolverine on Saturday night when he competes in the 1,500. Brian Theisen will fill out the men's squad, running in the 110 hurdles.

Nicole Forrester will be the lone field participant, competing in the high jump, and Tania Longe will participate in the heptathlon.

Maybe the gorillas were good luck -- the women's team won the Big Ten title, and Mortimer and Sullivan won individual ones as well.

Now if only they knew what show that was ...

On your marks ... get set ... go! (to Buffalo)

Where: Buffalo, N.Y.

When: June 3-6

Notable: Michigan's all-everything track star Kevin Sullivan will be running in his final race as a Wolverine. His partner in crime, John Mortimer, will run in two events, the only Wolverine to do so. If he wins his race, the 1,500 meters, he'll have won two national titles this year. Katie McGregor can also accomplish the feat with a victory in her race, the 5,000.

06-01-98