No one was more eager for the start of the track and field season than John Mortimer. After all, this would be the year Mortimer would step out of the shadow of Kevin Sullivan and become the star of the Michigan men's track team.
Sullivan, the Wolverines' renowned all-America and recipient of numerous awards last season, graduated leaving enormous shoes to be filled.
The obvious choice to replace Sullivan and lead the Wolverines to glory was John Mortimer.
He possessed the lofty credentials, as well as the respect of the entire team.
"John is the man," freshman David Cook said. "He's a guy we all look up to."
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| LOUIS BROWN/Daily Michigan senior John Mortimer will not run the rest of the season due to a knee injury sustained at the end of last year's cross country season. He will return to the team next year after being granted an extra year of eligibility. |
Entering his senior season, Mortimer had two major goals.
He looked to cap off his illustrious Michigan career by leading the Wolverines to a strong season. In addition, he hoped a strong senior season would provide the springboard for a professional career in track.
The script seemed to be laid out. But, as so often happens in sports, injury stood in the way of a perfect story.
John Mortimer has yet to take part in one race for Michigan this season and you won't be seeing him anytime soon.
Mortimer entered the season suffering from a knee injury sustained at the end of last year's cross country season.
Initially, the injury was not thought to be serious and it appeared to be a matter of time before Mortimer would rejoin the squad.
But, it soon became apparent this was more than just a speed bump in Mortimer's drive to the top.
Week after week, Mortimer was relegated to spectator, and forced to look on as less heralded Wolverines represented Michigan in the indoor season.
This past week, Mortimer faced a decision athletes often have to wrestle with and none wants to make. He has decided to sit out the remainder of the season.
"It was a very tough decision," Mortimer said. "But deep down, I am sure this is the right thing to do."
In making his decision, Mortimer contemplated not just the immediate effects, but his long-term aspirations.
"The doctors told me if I came back early I could risk permanent damage," Mortimer said. "I want to race for the next 10 to 15 years."
The NCAA granted Mortimer a redshirt exemption, meaning he is eligible to return for a fifth season at Michigan.
The next dilemma facing Mortimer, scheduled to graduate in May, was whether to bypass his fifth year and head straight into the professional world or return to Ann Arbor, with the hopes of making up for this lost season.
To the delight of his teammates and all Michigan fans, John Mortimer will be back for another year to lead the Wolverines track and field squad.
His knee injury will keep him sidelined until the end of the spring but should not factor into next season.
"I will be ready for next year," Mortimer said. "I'm already looking forward to next year."
If Mortimer's knee recovers quickly enough, he will compete in the US. championships, which is not an event sanctioned by the NCAA.
John Mortimer entered this season hoping to fill the shoes left by Kevin Sullivan. But for now, all Michigan runners would do well to fill the shoes of John Mortimer.
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