Women favored to win weekend invite

Daily Sports Writer

Typically, when a team has to play without two All-Americans, it is worried about the outcome of the upcoming event. But that is not the case with the Michigan women's track and field team.

The Wolverines will go to the Michigan Intercollegiate without seniors Nicole Forrester and Katie McGregor.

McGregor is still nursing an achilles injury that has plagued her all season.

"We anticipate McGregor to come back this week. She is day-to-day and we won't rush her back," coach James Henry said. "We don't want to rush her back if she is not ready and have her get injured again."

Injury is not the reason why Forrester is not running.

After breaking the Big Ten record for the high jump with a six-feet-four inch jump (one-and-1/2 inches from the collegiate record), a rest was in order for the Big Ten athlete of the week.

"She leads the country in the high jump, and we just decided that it would be a good time to rest her and give freshman Nicole Denamur a chance to compete." Henry said.

The Wolverines expect a successful trip to Ypsilanti and to repeat as Michigan Intercollegiate champions.

The Wolverines have won the crown two of the past three seasons and, with Michigan State having a down year, the Wolverines expect to make it three out of four.

"Our expectation is to go out and win," Henry said. "We won't pull out all the stops, but we plan to put in a good effort and see positive results."

"The Spartans "are in a rebuilding year, so they should not give us any problems," Henry said. "They are not at the level that they have been the past few years. Eastern and Western will probably be our best competition."

The Wolverines look to use this weekend as a spring board for the rest of the season.

"We need to get healthy and have a good performance," Henry said. "We should contend for the Big Ten and finish in the top six in the country, but we need our top guns," Henry said.

"We could not win the Big Ten, but perform better at the NCAA Championships because of injuries. McGregor will be worth 20-25 points at the Big Ten Championships and about 10-15 at the NCAA Championships."

Look for sophomore All-America Lisa Ouellet and senior Sarah Hamilton to win individual titles. At the the Red Simmons Invitational, Ouellet brought home the individual title for the 800-meter crown. Hamilton is undefeated in the 600.

"Ouellet should be seeded number one and do well," Henry said. "Hamilton should win, and be a top athlete there. She will run the half-mile this week. For both her and the rest of the team, the biggest competitor should be the clock and teammates, not the competition."

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