Yes, the future is looking bright for the Michigan women's track and field team.

On Saturday at the Jack Harvey Invitational freshmen accounted for four of the six first-place finishes in individual events. The team's season opener, held in the Indoor Track Building, was non-scoring, but the Wolverines won seven of the 14 events and grabbed seven second-place finishes as well.

In her collegiate debut freshman Tiffany Ofili blew away her competition winning the 60-meter hurdles and the 60-meter dash. Fellow freshmen Geena Gall and Casey Taylor won the 600-meter dash and the triple jump, respectively. Gall ran a 1:34.32 and Taylor jumped 12.02 meters.

The invitational helped give the newcomers their first real meet experience.

"(Today) was definitely a learning experience," Gall said. "I had never run the 600-meter before, so I was very nervous. I wanted to do well and get a good time for the team."

Distance coach Mike McGuire found the invite to be very beneficial, especially for the younger athletes.

"For many of the girls, it was their first time in uniform," McGuire said. "Many of the girls picked up their first collegiate win, so I think the invite was a good start to the season."

Redshirt junior Katie Erdman ran the 800-meter in 2:11.49 to take the event, and fifth-year senior Jennifer Williams won the high jump by clearing 1.76 meters. The 1600-meter relay teamA- - comprised of Erdman, senior Shavonne Maclin, junior Chanelle Campbell and sophomore Serita Williams - also claimed victory by posting a time of 3:53.12.

Although the meet was basically an exhibition, it provided both confidence for the team and a chance for the freshmen to run under pressure.

"Today was a confidence booster," Ofili said. "I had high expectations, but we did really well."

Taylor coupled her victory in the triple jump with a second-place finish in the long jump. She said she feels that the freshmen can make a big impact the team this season. 

"We know that we are a good group of freshmen and that, if we stick and work together, that we will be able to provide points for the team," Taylor said. "Every freshman on our team is talented, and we are all dedicated."

Gall also emphasized how important the freshmen are to the team's scoring.

"Our freshmen are like a family," Gall said. "We have to run well and throw well each time out to pick up points for our team."

McGuire said he looks forward to seeing this class have an impact on the team.

"We've got some pretty good balance in our freshmen class," he said. "We've got some that we feel will be real contributors to the program over the next four years."