The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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APRIL 2018 THE WOLVERINE 65 OLYMPIC SPORTS UPDATE Spring Previews In the last edition, we provided previews for eight of Michi- gan's spring squads. Here's a look at three more that are now underway, with projections for where each is expected to finish both in the Big Ten and nationally. MEN'S OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD First Event: March 16-17 at Hurricane Invitational in Coral Gables, Fla. Big Ten Predicted Finish: Fifth NCAA Best-Case Scenario: Top 25 Coach's Expectations: "Since I've been here, our team has been set up a little bit more for the outdoor events," head coach Jerry Clayton said. "I think that helps us to be more competitive. "We obviously want to try to improve on our finish [from] indoors, especially at the conference level." Top Athlete: On the field side it is senior Grant Cartwright, who scored 16 points in the Big Ten Outdoor Champion- ships last year. He earned first-team All-America honors in the weight throw during the indoor season. Fifth-year senior Ben Flanagan is the leader on the track. He was a second- team All-American in the 10,000 meters during the outdoor campaign last year. "They provide leadership whenever the team watches those guys train, how they prepare and how they perform in those big meets," Clayton said. "Especially for our younger athletes, who need to learn from their example." Athlete To Watch: Junior Taylor McLaughlin is a two-time All-American, once in indoor and once in outdoor. He is a Big Ten champion in the 400-meter hurdles. Don't Miss: April 27-28 at the National Relays Champion- ships in Fayetteville, Ark. This is an 18-team competition with only Power Five schools. It will serve as an important test run before Big Ten Championships a couple weeks later. WOMEN'S OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD First Event: March 16-17 at Hurricane Invitational in Coral Gables, Fla. Big Ten Predicted Finish: Second NCAA Best-Case Scenario: Top 15 Coach's Expectations: "The immediate expectation is to get as healthy as we can possibly be so that we can be competitive," head coach James Henry said. "Our goal is to be balanced and improve each and every meet." Top Athlete: Fifth-year senior Erin Finn is an Olympic Trials qualifier, holds four school records, and is a nine-time Big Ten champion. She earned first-team All-America honors at the NCAA Outdoor Championships as a freshman (10,000 meters) and sophomore (5,000 meters). Athlete To Watch: Senior Jaimie Phelan is the reigning NCAA champion in the outdoor 1,500 meters. "Both Finn and Phelan are coming off injuries, so if they're healthy, we're a good program," Henry said. Don't Miss: May 3-4 at the Toledo Invitational in Toledo, Ohio. "The early part of May meets are the most important for us. We want to get good performances," Henry said. ROWING First Event: March 17-18 at Louisville's Cardinal Invita- tional in Oak Ridge, Tenn. Big Ten Predicted Finish: First NCAA Best-Case Scenario: National champions Coach's Expectations: "Rowing is a sport when you never really know how good you are or how fast you are until you get out and compete because there are so many variables like wind and current," head coach Mark Rothstein said. "But I like our team and how they've prepared. "It's always a goal to win a Big Ten championship, and it's always a goal to win a national championship. We don't re- ally talk about it, but I think it's understood by our athletes." Top Athlete: Senior Kendall Brewer is a two-time All-Amer- ican (first team in 2017) and has competed for the United State on the U-23 National Team, winning a bronze medal at the World Championships. She has also been named first- team All-Big Ten two years in a row. "She's had a lot of international success along with her career at Michigan," Rothstein said. "I think just having ath- letes who have been at a high level helps because you need to have some examples, some leadership for how it's done. "Once you have that, others in you program aspire to be that good. It's huge." Athlete To Watch: Senior Kalia Krichko was a second- team All-American last year and is poised to do it again this season. Don't Miss: March 24 at Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio. "A huge rival for us is always Ohio State," Rothstein said. "They're one of the top teams in the country. We love racing Ohio State. We have a lot of respect for them." Senior thrower Grant Cartwright, who scored 16 points for the Wolverines at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships last year, will provide veteran leadership for U-M in the field events this spring. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS