The Culture and Bond That Developed Phelan Into an NCAA Champion
7/11/2017 12:37:00 PM | Women's Track & Field, Features
By Steve Kornacki
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Jaimie Phelan became a trailblazer for the University of Michigan women's track and field team with a stunning, comeback win on the biggest stage.
Phelan's victory in the 1,500-meter race in June in Eugene, Oregon, made her the first Wolverine to claim the NCAA championship at that distance. And upon returning to campus, she was quick to credit all those who made it happen.
She pointed to Michigan distance coach Mike McGuire and the speed work he emphasized, as well as the supportive culture he's developed. She heard his voice clearly instructing and comforting her through all the clamor on the backstretch at historic Hayward Field.
She pointed to her fellow Canadian, Nicole (Edwards) Sifuentes, the volunteer assistant coach and seven-time Big Ten champion who helped convince her that Michigan was the best place for her and who regularly trains with her.
"I met Nicole during my senior year of high school," said Phelan, a rising senior from Kitchener, Ontario. "I knew she was a Michigan alum and I was interested in Michigan. I asked her some questions, and then really got to know her at some Canadian meets. The way she held herself and described Michigan's program and Coach Mike got me even more interested in Michigan. Then, when I visited, I knew I wanted to be a Wolverine.
"Now to get to know her over the last four years -- she's definitely a huge role model not only for me but for a lot of girls on our team. She's part of a professional group that are all alumni who still train with Coach Mike, and sometimes we overlap with them and they'll do our workouts. When we get to watch them, with the level of focus that they have, it definitely rubs off on us and makes us want to run and train like them. I definitely learn so much in working with Nicole and trying to follow her stride behind her in workouts. Then I try to stay as focused and composed during the race like she does."
Sifuentes, a two-time Olympian, has connected with Phelan.
"I've always had my eye on her," said Sifuentes, a 10-time All-American who was a member of Michigan's 2005 distance medley relay NCAA champions. "I got to know Jaimie a bit better when I started volunteer coaching this fall. Something that really stands out about Jaimie is that she has a hard-working attitude, never complains. So, it's been fun to see her get better and get the reward for the hard work.
"She's willing to do the work and always looks at the bright side of things and keeps that positive outlook, even at the times when things didn't go so great for her. She has a forward-thinking attitude, and when championship time comes around, she's definitely a gamer."
Phelan also noted the lessons learned from Amanda Eccleston, Shannon Osika and Becca Addison -- other former Wolverine stars who've returned to give back to the current team members -- and her many accomplished teammates who provide a daily push to become the best.
This victory was something to be shared, for sure, and a first for the program.
"I'm humbled, and when I hear that sometimes I still don't believe it," Phelan said. "It's unbelievable and sometimes doesn't sink in. But I'm so honored by that title."
She also showed plenty of grit by running so well despite an injured right foot that's now in a protective boot.
"The trainers helped me get through the nationals," Phelan said. "Once you are on the (starting) line for heats and finals, you realize it's a long season and that a lot of people are out there with little things that are bugging them as well. But then the adrenaline kicks in and that will definitely get you through. During races, I never felt anything. The aches and pains come later."
Phelan found herself last in a tight pack of runners on the bell lap. But she dug down deep to hit the tape in 4:13.78, winning by .02 of one second in a photo finish.
"Everyone was so close and I was trying to stay engaged with that pack," said Phelan. "I told myself that I had to get out some way to the outside lanes. The pace started picking up with 300 meters to go, and I was able to find a path to go with, while focusing on those gear changes every 100."
The speed work she did religiously with McGuire corresponded to that big finishing kick.
"We focused on slowly increasing my mileage but really focused on the speed and the gear changes," said Phelan. "We'll do the 300 (meters) and focus on the three gear changes -- every 100 you try to go a little faster. We will do that four or six times and do different speed work to go with it at different meter distances.
"That helps a lot with finishing any race. It definitely helps with the last lap, which is definitely where those gear changes come into play. Coach Mike said I would 'sleep' a lot with 300 to go, and so we focused on those gear changes and staying engaged."
Everything they'd worked on came together in that championship race.
"It was all about just staying patient and calm," said Phelan. "In the middle of the race, I ended up hearing Coach Mike on the backstretch. He said, 'You're fine. Stay composed.' There are only two people I can hear during races. One is Coach Mike and the other is a teammate, Sarah Zieve. Hearing those words from Coach Mike reassured me."
Sifuentes competing in the 2017 Simmons-Harvey Invitational
Their coaching bond began with Sifuentes provided glimpses into her experiences in running for McGuire at Michigan.
"One of the reasons she has come here and done well is because she kind of knew Mike's personality from meeting him on her visit and from what I had to say about him," said Sifuentes. "I think that finding the right coach-athlete connection is huge in the success of an athlete. So, it's great that she came here and that this has been such a great fit for her.
"She's in really great hands under Mike's guidance, and I had a great experience with Mike. I always feel good when someone else connects in the same ways that I did, and it's been a pleasure to watch it develop to what happened this season, with obviously more to come."
McGuire, an All-American at Michigan while running under legendary coach Ron Warhurst, has developed 133 first-team All-Americans in 27 years as the cross country coach and associate head coach under James Henry in track and field. He's formed a culture among Wolverines distance runners which attracts and then maintains connections.
"Part of the reason we've had such great success at Michigan is because he's such a great coach who has been doing it for so long," said Sifuentes, "and no one can access what's in his brain. He just watches his athletes and knows what they need. There's something in there that's pretty special. He's become truly an expert at what he does.
"Mike pays attention to everyone on the team and doesn't treat the runners who are young or hurt any differently. He caters to everyone's needs and truly wants to see every girl on the team reach her potential. He's invested in everyone and cares. Our team also has a history of really excelling in the classroom, and that attracts a certain kind of athlete and builds on itself. We're not just friends, but we're accountable to one another. All of this creates a really great culture class after class after class."
Phelan added, "A huge thing Coach Mike does is have us find the reason we love running. And whether you've run a good or bad race, he'll come over to give you that space to process your race in order to help yourself dig deeper. Everyone on our team is so tough, goal-oriented and team-oriented. The biggest thing is that we never run alone. We train and push each other."
McGuire called Sifuentes shortly after Phelan's NCAA triumph so she could share the great news with Nicole and her husband, Antonio Sifuentes.
"I got to talk with her and her husband and I just couldn't stop smiling," said Phelan. "I was in disbelief at that moment and I was just trying to take everything in, and I could hear both of them laughing and screaming on the phone and sharing a lot of encouraging words.
"A lot of the words of encouragement and support she showed after nationals and these past four years have meant a lot to me. She's still one of the best 1,500-meter runners in Canada and a two-time Olympian, and so to have her as a mentor and role model at Michigan is huge and unbelievable. I'm definitely humbled and so grateful."
Players Mentioned
