Women try for second Big Ten crown

The Michigan women's track and field team has been preparing for this moment during the entire indoor season. All the hours of practice, all of the effort, and all of the miles have been building up to this weekend when No. 6 Michigan travels to Columbus for the Big Ten women's indoor track and field Championships, which start Saturday at 9 a.m.

As defending champion, Michigan will be the hunted, and the other ten teams in the conference will be the hunters. This year several of the hunters are solid contenders for the Big Ten crown.

"As always, Wisconsin will come strong," Michigan coach James Henry said. "They are balanced and are especially strong in the middle and long distances.

LOUIS BROWN/Daily Tiffany Hodge and the Michigan women's track team will travel to the Big Ten Championships this weekend, as will the men's track team.

"Purdue is an up-and-comer. They also have a very balanced team across the board. We feel that these will be the two toughest teams to handle at the Big Ten championships."

Henry said he feels that his team will not feel extra pressure as defending champion, although they had a poor showing at the Cannon Classic.

"There is some added incentive as champion," Henry said. "But we've already had a dress rehearsal against most of our top conference challengers at the Cannon Classic. We stunk up the place, and the other teams were better.

"If we don't change the script from the dress rehearsal, we'll get our butt kicked. Our biggest motivation will come from trying to prove that the dress rehearsal was a fluke, not so much from defending the title."

Purdue comes into the conference championships with a perfect 3-0 record. The Boilermakers are led by senior long jumper Carrie Long - who has yet to lose this season - and by senior sprinter Ericka King. King holds the second-fastest Big Ten time in the 400 meters this year.

"There might be some individuals who feel tense (about the meet), but collectively, I don't think we'll feel the pressure," said Michigan distance coach Mike McGuire. "We go in knowing that we did it together last year, and if we keep that in mind, we'll be fine."

No. 5 Wisconsin is led by a set of twins, seniors Jenni and Janet Westphal.

The Westphals have 12 All-American honors between them. Jenni was the Big Ten outdoor track athlete of the year in 1998 and is a six-time conference champion. Janet is a five-time all-American herself, and the twins teamed up on Wisconsin's 1996 national champion distance medley relay team.

The coaches agree that experience will be an important factor for the competition.

"Experience always helps for leadership," Henry said. "The more experienced athletes get out there and help the younger members with their nerves."

There's "no question about it. The kids that have been through the wars on the conference and national levels help to spearhead the attack," said McGuire.

"However, the only way you win is with all twenty-eight people contributing," McGuire said. "So the supporting cast will be as important as the more experienced runners."

The coaches gave their opinions on what will be the keys to a good showing for Michigan. Henry said the first race was important.

"We want to have a good start from Olive Ikeh and Tiffany Hodge leading off in the pentathlon. We want solid early performances from them," Henry said.

McGuire emphasized the need for a balanced attack from all of the Wolverines who will be in Columbus.

"Balance from all twenty-eight competitors will be important," McGuire said. "We have to compete to the best of our abilities. We have to win with everyone - four or five people can't do it alone."

02-19-99