Wolverines to Seek Big Ten Conference Crown on BTN
10/27/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Cross Country
Oct. 27, 2016
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THIS WEEK
Sunday, Oct. 30 -- at Big Ten Championships (Minneapolis, Minn.), 10 a.m. CDT
TV: Big Ten Network | BTN2Go | Big Ten Championships Home | 6K Course Map 
The sixth-ranked University of Michigan women's cross country team will pursue its 10th conference crown this weekend at Les Bolstad Golf Course in Minneapolis, Minnesota. There, U-M will run a 6,000-meter race against 13 other Big Ten programs.
For the first time in the history of the meet, this year's Big Ten Championships will air live on television on the Big Ten Network and online with BTN2Go.
This marks Michigan's second trip to Minneapolis this fall, as the team finished in fifth place out of 30 teams at the Roy Griak Invitational earlier in the season (Sept. 24). U-M should earn a far better result this weekend during its second visit to the Land of 10,000 Lakes. The Wolverines make the trip as the Big Ten's top-ranked team, and Michigan is peaking at the right time, having risen eight spots in the polls over the last three weeks.
The women's race is set for an 10 a.m. CDT gun, immediately followed by the men's race at 11 a.m. CDT. The rolling hills of Les Bolstad Golf Course have played host to the Big Ten Championships before, as well as the Midwest Regional meet, most recently in 2005. The first 3,000 meters are common to both races.
Michigan's lineup consists of: Claire Borchers, Avery Evenson, Erin Finn, Hannah Meier, Jamie Morrissey, Jaimie Phelan, Gina Sereno, Madeline Trevisan and Sarah Zieve.
Top Returning Times at 6,000 meters
• Erin Finn -- 19:44.7
• Jaimie Phelan -- 20:17.2
• Gina Sereno -- 20:18.4
• Sophie Linn -- 20:34.7
• Avery Evenson -- 20:39.2
• Jamie Morrissey -- 20:53.9
• Courtney Munley -- 20:57.0
THINGS TO KNOW
• Michigan seeks its first Big Ten title since 2012 and the 10th under head coach Mike McGuire. U-M has been first or second in 19 of 24 seasons with McGuire at the helm.
• The Wolverines enter the championship phase of the season ranked No. 6 in the USTFCCCA Coaches Poll and No. 1 in the Great Lakes Region.
• Erin Finn has led U-M in the last 18 straight scored meets, dating to her freshman season in the fall of 2013.
• Already a two-time Big Ten individual champion (2013, 2015), Finn is hoping to be the first woman ever to win three conference crowns in non-consecutive seasons, and to be the first to win three at the 6K distance.
• Finn is ranked No. 2 in the latest edition of the Saucony Flo50. She is one of only two Big Ten athletes represented in the rankings.
• The Maize and Blue boasts a 95-6 record this fall, including an 18-1 tally within the Great Lakes Region. Eastern Michigan (77-6) is the only program in the region within 20 wins of U-M, and no school boasts fewer overall losses.
• Last fall, seven of the nine competing Wolverines ran a career-best race at the Big Ten Championships.
• Earlier this fall at the Roy Griak Invitational (Sept. 24), U-M ran a 6K race on this same course. There, the Wolverines placed fifth, but with only one athlete in the top 20 finishers. That should change this weekend as U-M sticks to its pack running mentality with Erin Finn out front among the leaders.
• Under head coach Mike McGuire, U-M has won seven of its last nine regular-season scored meets dating back to 2014.
• While Finn, Jamie Morrissey, Gina Sereno and Jaimie Phelan are not new to the B1G stage, Claire Borchers, Avery Evenson, Hannah Meier, Madeline Trevisan and Sarah Zieve will make their postseason debuts for U-M in this weekend's event.
• Fans traveling to Minnesota can check out the Fan Fest, hosted by Nike, Mill City Running and Gopher Athletics. Fan fest will include a photo booth, face painting, sign-making, yard games, music, concessions and more beginning at 8:30 a.m. CDT at the Les Bolstad Course.
• This weekend's results will be shared through the social media gathering space of the USTFCCCA's National Results Wall. Fans can check out the national results and get live updates and analysis from on-site fans and athletes.
A LOOK AHEAD
Friday, Nov. 11 -- at NCAA Great Lakes Regional (Madison, Wis.)
Saturday, Nov. 19 -- at NCAA Championships (Terre Haute, Ind.)
TWEET OF THE WEEK
Our Day in the Arb is among this week's highlights in the latest installment of 'This Michigan of Ours'.#GoBlue » https://t.co/NAGnXmweF4 pic.twitter.com/jhdRCIYHK5
-- Michigan Track&Field (@UMichTrack) October 24, 2016
Communications Contact: Chad Shepard
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