The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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big ten/NCAA championships: WOMen's track Wolverines Capture National Title In Distance Medley Relay Event Michigan's performance at the 2013 NCAA Indoor Cham‑ pionships March 8‑9 was highlighted by a national title in the distance medley relay — the program's fourth-ever title in the event and the first since 2005. The Wolverines finished 15th overall at the meet, which was held at Randal Tyson Track Center in Fayetteville, Ark. Just a week after winning the same event at the Notre Dame Alex Wilson Invitational From left to right, senior Jillian Smith, fifth-year senior with a school-record time of Amanda Eccleston, senior Rebecca Addison and fresh10:56.66, the relay team — man Maya Long earned U-M's fourth-ever crown in the comprised of fifth-year senior distance medley relay. photo courtesy michigan athletic media relations Amanda Eccleston, senior Re‑ becca Addison, senior Jillian Smith and freshman Maya Long — replicated its strong performance with a 10:56.46 time to secure the national crown. "We executed a race plan, and it was very gratifying," said associate head coach Mike McGuire, who is in charge of the distance events. "It was a great reward for the hard work and dedication they displayed all season." "We were incredibly excited," Eccleston said. "Coming into the season, it was a goal to get to this point, but we never really had it on our radar until the week before with our strong time at Notre Dame. "To be able to win this title and keep up the tradition of Michigan performing in the distance medley relay, I can't describe the feeling." The anchor of the team, Eccleston, a Hillsdale College transfer and current graduate student, held off Villanova junior Emily Lipari during the final mile after taking the baton in in the lead. She finished with a 4:33 final mile split. "I was pretty nervous at first, but at the same time I think I run the best under pressure," she said. "I like being the one at the end that is responsible for getting across the line, and my teammates set me up perfectly. I knew the girl behind me had an outstanding kick, and I wasn't sure when she was going to make the move; I just focused on pressing the pace and trying to outrun her.