Weekly Release #1

Upcoming Schedule
Saturday, Aug. 30 -- at EMU Open (Ann Arbor), 9:30 a.m.
Saturday, Sept. 13 -- at Miami Invitational (Oxford, Ohio), 10:15 a.m.

This Week: EMU Open ...
The defending Big Ten Conference champion University of Michigan women's cross country team opens the 2003 season this Saturday (Aug. 30) at 9:30 a.m. as the Wolverines compete in the EMU Open at Buhr Park in Ann Arbor. The Maize and Blue last competed in the non-scoring event in 2001.

Returning Champions ...
The Wolverines return 13 letterwinners from last year's roster, including All-Big Ten first team members Lindsey Gallo (Freehold, N.J./Howell HS) and Rebecca Walter (Beverly Hills, Mich./Groves HS). Other letterwinners returning for the Maize and Blue are: Theresa Feldkamp (Lorain, Ohio/Amherst Steele HS), Erika Flannery (Perry, Mich./Perry HS), Ana Gjesdal (La Crescenta, Calif./Crescenta Valley HS), Stephanie Hirtle (Salmon Arm, B.C./Salmon Arm Senior), Jennifer Leichtman (Ann Arbor, Mich./Greenhills HS), Chelsea Loomis (Traverse City, Mich./West HS), Andrea Parker (Livonia, Mich./Stevenson HS), Sarah Pizzo (Mullen, Colo./Golden HS) and Jennifer Wendling (Chesaning, Mich./New Lothrop HS).
 
Becca Be Back ...
Rebecca Walter, the 2002 Big Ten Freshman of Year, led the Wolverines to the finish line in each of U-M's final three races of the season, including a 51st-place showing at the NCAA Championships with 6,000-meter personal-best time of 20:19.3. At the Big Ten Championships Walter helped the Wolveirnes to the conference crown as she crossed the line in fifth place, earning All-Big Ten first team honors.

Hey There Cappy ...
Head coach Mike McGuire has named senior/junior Andrea Parker team captain for the 2003 season. Parker finished 17th at the Big Ten Championships last season, helping the Wolverines to their fourth team title in program history. She posted a career-best 21:44.9 over 6,000 meters to finish 159th at the 2002 NCAA Championships.

The Mike McGuire File ...
Mike McGuire is in his 12th season as a head coach for the Michigan women's cross country team. McGuire led the Wolverines to their fourth Big Ten Conference team title in 2002. In his first four seasons, McGuire won three consecutive Big Ten and NCAA District IV team championships, and the Wolverines finished as high as second (1994) at the NCAA Championships. All told, McGuire's Michigan teams have 10 top-two finishes at the Big Ten Championships and eight top-two finishes at the regional championships, winning the regional meet in 1993, '94 and '95. His teams have finished among the nation's top 10 five times at the NCAA Championships.

Who's Next ...
The Wolverines have a week off from competition before they head to Oxford, Ohio, for the Miami Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 13, at 10:15 a.m. Michigan last ran at the Miami Invitational in 2001.

Contact: Gene Skidmore (734) 763-4423