Top 10 finish is aim for women's cross

By Rhonda Gilmer

Daily Sports Writer

Today marks the last meet of the season for the Michigan women's cross country team. At 11 a.m. the 6-kilometer race kicks off at the NCAA championships in Ames, Iowa. The Wolverines will go up against 31 teams on the Iowa State University cross country course in hopes of finishing in the top 10.

"Our goal all year has been top 10," senior Lisa Ouellet said.

Favorites for the national title include Stanford, Wisconsin, Colorado and Brigham Young.

"When you get to the national meet, anything can happen -- there are girls all around you at all times," Ouellet said. "These teams are not invincible, and they can have their problems."

The Wolverines are sending nine runners to the championship meet, including seniors Ouellet, Katie Jazwinski, Katy Radkewich, Katie Ryan, Julie Froud and Erin White. For the seniors, this will not only be their last meet of the season but also the last cross country meet of their Michigan career.

"It's my last cross country race, and I'm going all out -- giving it all I got," Ouellet said.

Also running are sophomores Katie Easton and Jane Martineau and freshman Lindsey Gallo. Gallo will be competing in her first NCAA championship meet.

"Hopefully, the weather will be a little nasty, even cold so that teams from the south will have trouble," Ouellet said.

Bad weather conditions should be an advantage for the Wolverines against teams from warmer climates such as Arizona, Arizona State and South Florida.

"We're tough, we're a very tough team and Iowa is a tough course - it's pretty challenging," Ouellet said.

Michigan has seen some of its competition earlier this season. No. 3 Wisconsin has been a nemesis for the Wolverines all season. Marquette also appeared on the Michigan schedule - they placed third behind the Wolverines during last week's NCAA Regionals.

Currently ranked No. 10, Michigan knows that it has a stern challenge ahead of it today.

"We know our job, we know what we have to do, and we're going to do our job and have fun." Ouellet said. "I'm proud of my team -- we've gotten along really well this season."