Women run second at league meet

WEST LAFAYETTE - The Wolverines may not have performed as well as their capabilities might suggest Sunday, but the final result was nothing short of respectable.

The Michigan women's track team finished fourth at the Big Ten meet with a team score of 107 points. Hometown favorite Purdue captured first place with a 143 points - clipping second-place Wisconsin by 21 points. Minnesota placed third with a 111 points.

"We took a couple of hits," Michigan assistant track coach Mike McGuire said, "but more than anything Purdue performed well.

"They were on a roll, they were confident and they had some kids step at home. Hey, that's what it's all about."

Near the end of day two, Wolverine hopes were ignited by Brandi Bentley's victory in the long jump. The junior netted the Big Ten title with a final effort of 6.5 meters, bringing the Wolverine faithful to their feet.

Bentley had fouled on her previous attempt and needed her final leap for the victory.

"I wasn't jumping as well as I wanted to, but my teammates were counting on me to get 10 points today," Bentley said. "When I got onto the runway for my last jump, I thought to myself, 'this is what all the blood sweat and tears are for.'

"To hit that mark makes it all the better because that's what I've been working towards."

On day three, the 4 by 100 and the 4 by 400 relays were unable to crack the top three placings. Fortanetley for the Wol;verines, three individuals came through in the clutch.

Angi Stanifer pulled out a suprising victory in the 800 meter run, edging Wisconsin's Jennifer Westfall at the line with a time of 2:06.45.

Westfall held a considerable 10 meter lead going into the final 100 meters, but Stanifer gained ground and caught her with a lean.

"The last 100 I just kept closing and closing," Stanifer said. "The last 20 meters she just started comming back alittle bit so I turned it over and had something left and got her on a lean."

Distnace ace Katie McGregor finally captured an ever/elusive Big Ten title in track with a convincing victory in the 5,000 meters.

"I at least got to go out winning a race and it felt good, but at the same time, it kinda sucks because we didn't win."

Nicole Forrester defended her high jump title with a leapof 5 10 and half. The heigth was a considerably low one for Foerrester, butn rthe weather conditions played a large part.

"The weather makes or breaks this event," Forrester said. "You want to be fast with the take off and because it was raining the take off was slower. We couldn't get as high."

05-24-99