The Wolverine

June-July 2012

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIPS: WOMEN'S TRACK in the discus, and all three had reason to celebrate. Erin, a junior, threw 181-10 on her first attempt, good enough for an individual Big Ten title. Emily, a fifth-year senior who won the event in 2008 and 2009, was right behind her, in second place with throw of 180-0. And although Carly, a freshman, didn't place, the Buckeyes claimed the overall team title with a score of 117. "For Erin and Emily to go at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships May 11-13, surely getting a few looks for their contradictory colors. One was wearing the maize and blue of Michigan, the other the scar- let and gray of Ohio State. Three of their daughters, Emily, Erin and Carly, competed one-two, it's something that hasn't happened here be- fore, coach James Henry said. "Win- ning the gold was special, but also for the older sister to come back on her second to last throw and have a great round was nice. And those 18 points helped us, as a team. "The third sister went to " Michigan track and field Ohio State — we just didn't have the finances to get her to Michigan. It was nice to see the parents there, celebrating all three daughters. leton sisters, the Wolverines finished seventh at the meet, their best finish at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships since taking second place in 2009. Michigan was last of 10 teams a year ago. "Our expectation was sixth. We came up just a little short," With the help of the Pend- " Pendleton Sisters Highlight Wolverines' Showing At League Meet Mike and Laura Pendleton took their places in the stands have to recruit better, and I have to coach better, and our kids have to perform better." On top of the Pendletons' big day, the Wolverines also con- tinued their hot streak in the middle-distance races. This time, redshirt sophomore Jillian Smith led the way, taking a second-place finish in the 1,500-meter run (4:17.01) and seventh in the 800-meter run (2:09.08). Junior Rebecca Addison, a fellow middle-distance runner, was the star of the indoor season this winter, winning the 800-meter run at Big Tens and earning All-America hon- ors at the NCAA Championships. She finished sixth in the 1,500-meter run (4:20.53) and eighth in the 800-meter race (2:10.01) at the Big Ten Out- door Championships. "Jillian Smith and Rebecca Addison are our two work- horses, dominate one competition, and the other will step up the next. We're happy to have them back next year, when they'll be even bigger and stronger. " Henry said. "One will derclasswomen who stepped up, too. Sophomore Erin Bus- bee earned a personal-best 5,336 points in the heptathlon to finish fourth in the event. Redshirt sophomore pole There were several other un- " Amber Smith took fourth in the 100-meter hurdles (13.66) and fifth in the 400-meter hurdles (1:02.32). "Busbee has gone from a vaulter Kiley Tobel also tallied a personal record, jumping 13-11 for a second-place finish. And sophomore hurdler Henry said. "We wanted to go from 10th to sixth — which is a big improvement. But our team is going in the right direction. The vast majority of our points are returning next year. I believe we'll have a much better team, even than this year. With our recruiting class, we should definitely be in the top-five division, and our goals will be even loftier. But I'm pleased, but I'm not satisfied. pionships in recent memory, because of the addition of Nebraska to the field. The Cornhuskers, who tied with Illi- nois for second place (110 points), have a strong program, forcing the middle tier to claw for points anywhere they could. "You have to get better. If you're not improving, you're This was one of the most hotly contested Big Ten Cham- " not worth your weight. We're worth our weight, but there's work to be done," Henry said. "The conference is now to- tally different with Nebraska in the mix. We have to step up and meet the demands of a much better conference. I Erin Pendleton (left) won an individual title in the discus at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships, and her sister Emily (right) finished second. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS bee, Smith and Tobel] stepped out in the limelight, and they will be our veterans next year. They were our future stars, and now they're our present stars. Big Ten standings, but there are plenty of reasons to feel optimistic. "We had an eight-hour ride back, and I'm sitting there thinking about our goals for the next year, have to get bigger, faster and stronger. We will be a better program, and if we can get our freshmen to contribute, that will make us even more successful. "The overall expectation is always to get better. For two " Henry said. "We " Michigan may not be at its customary perch atop the " scared, intimidated athlete to a dominating one, and Am- ber Smith has done the same, Henry said. "Those three [Bus- " years, we've been talking about a young squad. We're veter- ans next year, and our expectations should come as veterans — to show leadership, improve and better our performance within the conference. — Andy Reid JUNE/JULY 2012 THE WOLVERINE 73

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