Fours years ago, fifth-year senior Dan Harmsen struggled to receive notice as a walk-on the Michigan men's track and field team. Now his performances are receiving plenty of attention.

Harmsen, competing in the 400-meter hurdles for the first time this season, dominated the field at the Rice Bayou Classic in Houston, Texas. Harmsen earned an NCAA regional qualifying time (51.60) with his closest competition coming from his teammates. Sophomore Carl Buchanon led the race through the first six hurdles but Harmsen closed the stretch to earn the victory.

"It was certainly was one of the top-five performances in the nation in the event," Michigan coach Fred LaPlante said.

Harmsen led Michigan to the meet title with 115 points, beating Stephen F. Austin (87 points) and Houston (82 points).

The Wolverines used the meet to ease into the outdoor season where they'll look to defend their Big Ten title.

"We try to go south or west for our meets," LaPlante said. "Most of the teams we're competing against, their outdoor season started earlier. Most had a meet or two. We're usually playing a little catchup."

But it was the rest of the teams who were trying to keep pace with Michigan. Despite training outdoors for just two weeks, the Wolverines managed to notch several NCAA regional provisional marks.

The windy conditions present at the Rice University Track Stadium didn't affect the Wolverines. Despite facing a strong headwind, senior Adam Harris cruised to a victory in the 100-meter dash.

Michigan expected to compete in the usually warm Texas weather but felt the unseasonable weather could have been to its advantage.

"The 400-meter hurdles is an event of feeling," LaPlante said. "Your stride pattern can change based on weather. You have to be able to drive into each hurdle."

Michigan picked up 11 top three performances in their first outdoor meet of the year.

The 4x100-meter relay was the highlight for the Wolverines. The team of junior Nicholas Campbell, senior Andre Barnes, junior Kyle Terpak and Harris blew past a strong Houston relay to earn the win (40.83).

The relays showed off the Wolverines' strong sprinters. In the realm of collegiate track and field, the top high school sprinters typically go to year-round warmer-weather schools. The meet was an opportunity for Michigan to showcase their skills against some of the best.

"There were high schoolers there and they were shocked that a school from Michigan could beat Houston," Laplante said.