Finn Takes Individual Title at Big Tens; Wolverines Finish Second

Sunday, November 1

Chicago, Ill.

11:45 AM

Michigan

Big Ten Championships

Finn Takes Individual Title at Big Tens; Wolverines Finish Second

11/1/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country

Nov. 1, 2015

Women's Cross Country

» Erin Finn is the program's second-ever two-time Big Ten individual champion and the fifth in conference history.
» In 24 seasons under head coach Mike McGuire, U-M has finished first or second on 19 occasions.
» Junior Sophie Linn, and juniors/sophomores Jamie Morrissey and Courtney Munley made each made her postseason debut in today's race.
» Seven of the nine competing Wolverines set new collegiate-best times at the 6K distance.

• Complete Results | Photo Gallery

Site: Chicago, Ill. (Sydney R. Marovitz Golf Course)
Event: Big Ten Championships
U-M Team Finish: 2nd Place of 14 Teams (58 points)
Top U-M Individual: Erin Finn, 1st place (19:44.9)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Nov. 13 -- at NCAA Great Lakes Regional (Madison, Wis.), Noon CST

CHICAGO, Ill. -- The second-ranked University of Michigan women's cross country team ran to a runner-up finish at Sunday's (Nov. 1) Big Ten Championships, led by an historic performance from two-time conference champion (2013, '15) junior Erin Finn at Sydney R. Marovitz Golf Course. The West Bloomfield, Michigan, native led a trio of all-conference performers for the Maize and Blue, and shaved about 15 seconds off her previous 6K PR.

Head coach Mike McGuire was admittedly disappointed with the team's finish in the standings this afternoon but not in individuals' effort. He pointed to a number of stellar performances in his lineup, highlighted by Finn and including successful races from juniors/sophomores Jaimie Phelan (eighth; 20:17.2), Gina Sereno (10th; 20:18.4), junior/sophomore Sophie Linn (18th; 20:34.7) and among others.

Despite falling just shy of the team goal, Finn is confident this group will rebound for a successful postseason run.

"I know we can," Finn explained.

"We talked about it today on our cool-down. It's okay to be disappointed, but we can't let ourselves be devastated. We have to get angry and let this light a fire under us and just move on. What's done is done but we can make the future better now and that has to be our focus."

Phelan and Sereno were rewarded for their performances with second team all-Big Ten recognition -- the first of their collective careers. McGuire was also quick to credit the Penn State women for a hard-earned victory.

"Penn State beat us today," said McGuire, "They were the better team in this race. We have to shore a few things up, but there is still a lot of season left, and we have to move on so that we can meet our goals at regionals and nationals."

Finn was the leading athlete in Maize and Blue, making her the first-finishing Wolverine in the last 10 consecutive scored meets in which she has competed, dating to 2013. She joins former Wolverine Katie McGregor (1996-99) as the only two U-M athletes with multiple individual Big Ten titles.

"To be named with women like Katie McGregor is always a great honor," said Finn, "She has done some incredible things in her career, both at Michigan and after, so it's hopefully something that bodes well for the future. I'm really, really honored to be named in the same category as her."

"Erin was Erin: steady and great, as always," said McGuire. "I'm very proud of her effort. She followed the race plan and kind of let some other people get things started in the early going of the race. She did what she was supposed to do."

Finn took off from the gun, putting more and more distance behind her as the race went on. Penn State's Tori Gerlach provided the toughest push, but Finn had a three-second cushion on her by the midway point of the race, and the U-M junior was able to drop her by the 4K mark and cruise to a five-second victory.

After the trio mentioned above came senior Shannon Osika in 21st (20:46.1) to round out Michigan's scoring five. Fifth-year senior Anna Pasternak (23rd), junior/sophomore Jamie Morrissey (26th) and junior/sophomore Courtney Munley (29th) also cracked the top 30, with senior Taylor Manett taking 43rd overall.

Tweet of the Day

Your 2015 Winner and now a 2-time Big Ten Individual Champion, @erinefinn down the stretch! #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/BXBKPzTbLE

-- Michigan Track&Field (@umichtrack) November 1, 2015

U-M continues into the postseason with the NCAA Regional Championships in Madison, Wisconsin, one week from Friday (Nov. 13). The race will be at a 6K distance and will be contested at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Course, beginning at noon CST.

Team Standings

 1. Penn State         53 2. MICHIGAN           58 3. Michigan State    104 4. Minnesota         106 5. Wisconsin         139 6. Purdue            149 7. Ohio State        211 8. Illinois          212 9. Indiana           21410. Iowa              31911. Maryland          36212. Northwestern      36413. Nebraska          369    Rutgers           369

Top 10 Individual Finishers

 1. ERIN FINN, U-M                  19:44.9* 2. Alexis Wiersma, Michigan State  19:49.9 3. Alyssa Schneider, Illinois      19:58.6 4. Tori Gerlach, Penn State        20:04.9 5. Hope Schmelzle, Purdue          20:13.1 6. Elizabeth Chikotas, Penn State  20:14.1 7. Shaelyn Sorensen, Wisconsin     20:15.9 8. JAIMIE PHELAN, U-M              20:17.2* 9. Jillian Hunsberger,Penn State   20:18.110. GINA SERENO, U-M                20:18.4*

Other U-M Finishers

18. Sophie Linn        20:34.7*21. Shannon Osika      20:46.123. Anna Pasternak     20:47.3*26. Jamie Morrissey    20:53.9*29. Courtney Munley    20:57.0*43. Taylor Manett      21:13.1 * 6k personal best

Communications Contact: Chad Shepard