Women's track going after in-state superiority Matthew Barbas Daily Sports Writer For the Michigan women's track team, the season is a long climb towards the final race. While the athletes compete to win at every meet, Michigan coach James Henry stresses the final goal. "I told the team that our top priorities are to improve and to stay healthy," Henry explained. "Our final priority is to win." But this weekend at the Michigan Intercollegiate in East Lansing, the Wolverines might have different priorities. In a meet featuring Michigan State, Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan, Western Michigan and Detroit, this competition is for more than personal bests. This meet is for bragging rights. "I am going to tell my teammates that this is for state bragging rights," senior captain Brandi Bentley emphasized. "And that we must show these other schools what it means to be a Michigan athlete." Unlike his athletes, Henry is downplaying the importance of the rivalry. He is treating this week just like any other week. The team is still emphasizing endurance and power work and will not focus on technique until next month. "We have had a week of intense training," senior captain Erica Murdock said. "But that will not keep us from having a solid week with many outstanding performances." The Wolverines are aiming to win this intrastate competition for the third time in a row. At last year's meet, Michigan got off to a slow start, falling behind to Central Michigan. But in the end, the Wolverines triumphed convincingly. Henry likes this meet because it allows the younger runners to adjust to competing on another school's track without having to stay overnight. "Two weeks ago at Indiana, our younger runners were a little nervous because it was a new experience," Henry said. "The overnight stay can be very nerve-wrecking until you become accustomed to the wait. Similar to the dual meet at Indiana, the competition will be looking to knock off Michigan from an underdog role. "Most of the Michigan schools are small and definitely do not have the name recognition that the University of Michigan boasts," Bentley said. "When we compete against them, they are gunning for us." The championships at the end of the season are the ultimate goal. But for one weekend, the Wolverines will have something else on their minds. Originally on page 11A in the 1-27-2000 issue of the Daily.