2005 XCW at NCAA Championships -- Notes & Quotes
11/21/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country
N O T E S
Senior Rebecca Walter joins Molly McClimon (1990-93) as Michigan's only two three-time NCAA women's cross country All-Americans.
Dating back to 2002, Walter was the Wolverines' top finisher at four consecutive NCAA Championships.
With their sixth-place performance, the Wolverines boasted their third straight top-10 NCAA finish and their eighth under head coach Mike McGuire in his 14-year tenure at Michigan.
Two Michigan seniors made their final carerer appearance at today's NCAA Championships. Senior Rebecca Walter paced the Wolverines with a 27th-place showing, and fifth-year senior Ana Gjesdal was Michigan's fourth runner across the line in 82nd place.
Today also marked the NCAA debut of three Wolverine harriers. Sophomore/freshman Nicole Edwards and senior/junior Jessie Stewart placed 72nd and 97th, respectively, while sophomore/freshman Erin Webster placed 172nd.
Q U O T E S
Michigan Head Coach Mike McGuire
On the season ... "It was obviously a great season for the University of Michigan cross country team. We would have liked to finish better here. Where we finished isn't too bad, because sixth is still sixth, but we came in here with higher expectations as a team. I guess our standards are just getting higher."
On fifth-year senior Rebecca Walter ... "I stated earlier this year that no one had impacted Michigan women's cross country like Rebecca Walter has. For her to finish as a three-time All-American is only fitting. She has led us across the line four straight years at nationals. Rebecca was very selfless in her decision to run this year when we could have redshirted her. I'm just extremely proud and happy for her."
U-M Senior Rebecca Walter
On her collegiate cross country finale ... "I felt nervous and every other emotion I felt as a freshman. Am I happy Yes. Am I sad Yes. I have mixed emotions, knowing we were sixth. We always want to win and make that podium, but sixth is still sixth in the nation. This has been a great season for U-M cross country."
On her career at Michigan ... "With all that has happened in my career at Michigan, I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. Whatever the situation may be, I will always want more. So, had things gone better, I still would have expected more of myself. There is no perfect situation. The fun that I've had this season, the improvements I've made, and the goals that I have reached were all worth running for the University of Michigan."
On finishing her career at the site of her first NCAA Championships ... "I will enjoy seeing this course from the other side of the line. I've had some good races here, and I've had some bad races here. I will miss it."
Players Mentioned
