The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/213966
NCAA Great Lakes Regional: women's cross country "It was really exciting when the boys came back to the tent after their race and had won — we all got so pumped up by it," Handler said. "It was exciting for them, exciting for us, and we're all really happy." In a sport heavy on lower-body injuries from the constant pounding the legs and leg joints take on a daily basis, everything needs to break right for the biggest meets of the season. McGuire has been masterful at peaking his team, winning 10 conference titles and earning an additional nine runner-up efforts, but injuries to redshirt junior Taylor Pogue and Osika hindered the Big Ten effort. Osika was able to run in the race, placing 11th, but Pogue missed the championships, and her absence probably startled the Wolverines. "We hadn't had Taylor since Pre-Nationals [Oct. 19], and that's a huge loss in our lineup," McGuire said. "Going into Big Tens, there was a little hope she might run, but I made the decision before the race. I think it stung our team to go to the start line without her. "At regionals, we were more prepared mentally, knowing she was out, but we still had to get past the emotional hangover of losing Big Tens when we had put so much energy into the race." Runner by runner, the Maize and Blue performed at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional. Finn ran 20:09 in the 6,000-meter race, with Osika — stronger after two weeks of training between Big Tens and regionals — clocking 20:25 and Handler following two seconds later. Sophomore Taylor Manett (11th, 20:36) and redshirt junior Megan Weschler (22nd, 20:55) rounded out Michigan's top five. "We were significantly better across the board," McGuire said. "Brook ran a better race, and I knew Osika was going to be in a better position because she was fitter. At Big Tens, she was a little rusty, but time is your ally in our sport. Brook and Shannon really worked together throughout the race to perform their best. "Erin just continues to do what she's been doing, and what she's capable of, and then Taylor and Megan were solid. "I think there is a lot of good from this meet that we can take into NCAAs and even into next year because everyone will be back." Michigan was slated to compete at the NCAA Championships Nov. 23, and while last year's fifth-place finish might be out of reach, U-M is determined to place in the top 10 for the 11th time in McGuire's tenure. "We'll be ranked top 10 going in, and you like to hold serve," he said. "If you leak a little oil, you can be five or six places back, but I think with the challenges this team has faced this year, we'll be ready. "We should know going in that our coping skills have already been tested, but like a basketball or football team going on the road, the NCAA site will take you out of your comfort zone. It's so overwhelming. We'll just have to see how we respond." — Michael Spath