Michigan
SPIRE NCAA D1 Invitational
Finn Breaks Second Record in One Week
2/12/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
Feb. 12, 2016
» Finn has now broken the school records at 3,000 (Feb. 6; Meyo Invitational) and 5,000 meters (today) in less than one week.
» No. 11-ranked U-M won event titles in the 5K and pole vault (Sarah Uhlian) and also boasted a two-three finish at 800 meters, where four of five competing athletes set personal-best times.
• Results | Photo Gallery 
Site: Geneva, Ohio (SPIRE Facility)
Event: SPIRE NCAA D1 Invitational (Day 1)
U-M Team Result: Non-scoring
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Feb. 13 -- at SPIRE Collegiate Invitational - Day 2 (Geneva, Ohio.), 10 a.m.
GENEVA, Ohio -- The No. 11-ranked University of Michigan women's track and field began competition at the SPIRE NCAA D1 Meet on Friday (Feb. 12), highlighted by an outstanding effort from junior/sophomore All-American Erin Finn in the 5,000-meter run at the SPIRE Facility. For the second time in less than one week, Finn has broken a Michigan record.
MID-DISTANCE/DISTANCE
Finn blew past the standard she set as a freshman in Geneva at the Big Ten Championships in 2014 (15:52.11). She crossed at 15:38.9, shaving more than 13 seconds off that time from her rookie campaign, which had been a near-five second improvement from the previous mark held 25 years by Mindy Rowand Schmidt (15:56.73; 1989).
This performance comes on the heels of Finn's record-breaking race last weekend at Notre Dame's Meyo Invitational (Feb. 6), when she broke Sue Schroeder's 3K record in 9:01.25, more than an eight-second improvement over a time which had stood for 30 years.
For Finn, these two historic performances are balanced between a heavy academic load as well. The West Bloomfield, Michigan, native is a passionate Biochemistry major, who worked around a series of academic deadlines to set two new program-bests in the span of one week.
"I had an exam last Friday (Feb. 5), a Blue Book exam in Biochemistry on Tuesday (Feb. 9) plus having two labs and homework due," Finn explained, "I've just been trying to stay afloat."
On Friday, Finn was in a league of her own, breaking away from the pack and running her own race with a PR and national qualifying time on her mind. Wolverine alumna and 2015 co-captain Brook Handler paced the race for Finn and the rest of the competitors. Her familiarity helped get Finn started before she took over and took off.
"Brook paced me through just over 1,500 meters and we went out through about 2 or 3K around 3:06 per K," said Finn.
"I slowed down to about 3:10 per K at the end. It was a hard day out there for me, that's for sure. I was coming off of last week's race and a busy week in school. I'm happy with the effort, and I'm definitely happy to have a qualifying time but I'm also confident that there is a lot of room to grow."
Junior/sophomore Gina Sereno also ran and posted a quality performance, clocking 16:21.78 for a third-place finish.
Four of five Wolverines in the 600-meter race timed new PR's, led by senior Danielle Pfeifer and junior/sophomore Jaimie Phelan in a two-three finish. Both athletes earned times under the 1:30 mark.
Finn and many of the Wolverines will be resting next weekend, so the energy level is even higher at SPIRE this weekend in anticipation of the return trip to Geneva in two weeks' time, for a much bigger competition.
"I definitely need a little bit of rest," said Finn.
"I am very excited for Big Tens, but I know that there is a lot that has to be done between now and that Friday. I'm kind of calculating in my head how I'm going to get enough rest and enough work done with the right amount of mental prep in that amount of time."
THROWS
Sophomore Kayla Deering upped her PR and placed second in the weight throw, throwing 16.56 meters (54-4 ft.) on her first effort in the final. Sophomore Bailey Baker finished sixth, and freshman Briana Nelson also had a season-best.
POLE VAULT
Uhlian won the women's non-elite competition, clearing her opening height of 3.67 meters (12-0.50 ft.) on her second attempt.
U-M remains in Geneva for day-two action at the SPIRE Facility, with events set to begin at 10 a.m. with the shot put.
COLLEGIATE PERSONAL BESTS
Track Events
600 meters
Danielle Pfeifer -- 1:29.69
Jaimie Phelan -- 1:29.81
Devon Hoppe -- 1:32.20
Gina McNamara -- 1:32.50
5,000 meters
Erin Finn -- 15:38.98^$
Field Events
Weight Throw
Kayla Deering -- 16.56 meters (54-4 ft.)
Briana Nelson -- 13.95 meters (45-9.25 ft.)
^ = School Record
$ = Facility Record
TWEET OF THE NIGHT
First day of competition at #SPIRE✔️ pic.twitter.com/f0mFuq0SRO
-- Maegan McCarthy (@BreanneMaegan) February 12, 2016
Communications Contact: Chad Shepard
Players Mentioned
