Michigan
Sundodger Invitational
Wolverines Continue Success with Third Straight Win
9/21/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country
SEATTLE, Wash. -- For the second time in three years the University of Michigan women's cross country team has opened the season with three consecutive victories. After first-place finishes at the Detroit Mercy Invitational (Sept. 7) and at the Mel Brodt Invitational (Sept. 14), the Wolverines stood atop the medal podium Saturday morning (Sept. 21) at the Sundodger Invitational, leading the nine-team field with a score of 45 points, 27 points ahead of host and runner-up Washington.
Running on the fast 5,000-meter course in Lincoln Park, the Maize and Blue had two runners crack the top 10 and five in the top 15. Michigan's harriers were led by junior Lindsey Gallo (Freehold, N.J./Howell HS), who paced the Wolverines for the second straight week as she placed sixth with a time of 17:20. U-M's first-week leader, Andrea Parker (Livonia, Mich./Stevenson HS), crossed the finish line in eighth place at 17:25.
Finishing just out of the top 10 was senior Jane Martineau (Mt. Pleasant, Mich./Mt. Pleasant HS), who ran 17:38 for an 11th-place finish. Sophomore transfer Ana Gjesdal (La Crescenta, Calif./Crescenta Valley HS) and freshman Rebecca Walter (Beverly Hills, Mich./Groves HS) followed Martineau across the line in 12th and 13th, respectively, both clocking in at 17:40.
The Wolverines will look to continue their strong start to the 2002 season as they travel to Terre Haute, Ind., for the Indiana State Invitational on Oct. 5 with race time slated for 10:30 a.m. EST/CDT. Terre Haute is home to both the 2002 NCAA Pre-Nationals (Oct. 19) and the NCAA Championships (Nov. 25).
Team Standings
1. MICHIGAN 45 2. Washington 72 3. Idaho 73 4. Texas A&M 86 5. Portland 136 6. Cal State-Northridge 180 7. South Dakota State 181 8. Boise State 207 9. Eastern Washington 234
Top 10 Individuals
1. Sabrina Monro, unattached 16:31 2. Melissa Gulli Texas A&M 16:45 3. Letiwe Marakurwa, Idaho 16:50 4. Laura Hodgson, Washington 17:16 5. Nicole Ricci, Portland 17:18 6. LINDSEY GALLO, U-M 17:20 7. Kate Bradsaw, Washington 17:24 8. ANDREA PARKER, U-M 17:25 9. Tania VanderMeulen, Idaho 17:29 10. Sheena Dauer, SDSU 17:30
Other Michigan Finishes
11. Jane Martineau 17:38 12. Ana Gjesdal 17:40 13. Rebecca Walter 17:40 18. Stephanie Hirtle 17:45 21. Jeanne Spink 17:47 22. Rachel Sturtz 17:49 23. Sarah Pizzo 17:50 33. Theresa Feldkamp 18:02 41. Chelsea Loomis 18:09 45. Lauren Weddell 18:15
Q U O T E S
Head Coach Mike McGuire
On the team's performance ... "We ran in a tight pack early and that is good to see. This victory puts us in the right direction. There were some very talented teams competing here today and we ran well. Our depth is improving each week. We have to keep getting better to succeed the rest of the season. Right now we just have to keep healthy and keep them going. If we do that I will be very pleased."
Contact: Gene Skidmore (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
