Normally, it would be safe to assume that most freshmen don't immediately impact their teams at the collegiate level.

But this year, there's no way this assumption is fair to make of the freshmen on the women's track team - especially freshman Geena Gall.

"She's coming in at a higher level than any middle-distance runner we've ever had," Michigan coach Mike McGuire said.

Gall won three national championships in high school, including one outdoor and two indoor titles. Her indoor 800-meter run time of 2:08.77 stands as the best in Michigan high school history. After redshirting during the fall cross country season, she now has the chance to show off her capabilities at Michigan.

"I've been waiting all fall to be able to run indoor, and I've been putting a lot of training in just to get to this point," Gall said. "I knew I was going to get redshirted this fall (for cross country), so I'm very eager."

Last Saturday, she impressed at the Maize and Blue Intrasquad meet by holding off teammate and reigning Big Ten Champion Theresa Feldkamp in the 800-meter run. Gall was pleased with her time of 2:11.91.

"I was definitely satisfied," Gall said. "I didn't think I would run that fast of a time. I've been sick lately and my shins have been bothering me a little bit. It took me about half the season last year to get that time."

Her achievements in high school, coupled with her win on Saturday, seemingly create huge expectations for the upcoming season. But Gall's goals may be even more ambitious than those other people are setting for her.

"There is some pressure because there are a lot of good 800-meter girls on our team," Gall said. "Some of it goes away because people say the things you do in high school don't really matter once you get to college - because you end up having to prove yourself again."

She added that she would like to be Big Ten Freshman of the Year and win an individual event at the Big Ten Championships.

McGuire thinks that there are things Gall can do to improve her chances at reaching those goals.

"It will be a combination of several things," McGuire said. "Obviously, staying healthy, but also refining her speed. I think that getting her stronger within the framework of how we do things here will help - but she's got a lot of good basic tools to start with."

Gall also has a lot of support, ranging from her coaches to her teammates, and her roommate, Tiffany Ofili.

Ofili - also a freshman - won three events in Saturday's intrasquad. Gall and Ofili ran with each other on a club team prior to coming to Michigan. Gall could be seen rooting for her roommate alongside the track prior to Ofili's 60-meter race on Saturday. She explained that the support is mutual.

"We don't run the same events, but we definitely cheer each other on," Gall said.

Gall is a high school national champion who comes in with a good work ethic, high goals and moral support. Only time will tell what she can accomplish this season, but it seems as if every intangible is on her side for now.