In the track and field world, the Penn Relays are big. As the best attended track event in the United States, this isn't any ordinary event.

"The only thing on the University of Michigan campus, or on most college campuses, that's bigger than a track meet with 45,000 people (watching) is a football game," Michigan men's track coach Ron Warhurst said.

But it can't be compared to just any football game.

"It's the Super Bowl of the relay circuit," said Michigan women's track associate head coach Mike McGuire.

And on the world stage, Michigan didn't disappoint.

Headlining the weekend were junior Nicole Edwards, fifth-year senior Katie Erdman, sophomore Geena Gall and graduate student Anna Willard. Not only did they obliterate the competition in the 4X800 and 4X1500, but they set collegiate track records that dated back to 1984 and 1990, respectively.

For two legs of Friday's 4X1500, the Wolverines stayed close with Georgetown and Duke. But once Willard got the baton, there was just no chance for anyone else. Willard ran a 4:13.9, the fastest split in the competition, setting up Edwards at anchor to break the 17-year-old record with a mark of 17:15.62. The closest competitor finished 25.63 seconds behind Michigan.

The 4X800 was closer, but only because of the distance. With each leg of the race, the splits only got quicker. And with the anchor, Erdman, breaking her normal 800 meter time at 2:02.6, the Wolverines posted a new collegiate record by 1.44 seconds (8:18.78).

"Our performance this weekend was one for the ages," McGuire said. "To break two collegiate records with the same four people over two days is - I don't know if that's been done before. It's a great reward for four very talented women in our program that have collectively put it together to come up with that type of result."

But that isn't to overshadow all of the No. 6 Michigan women's track team achievements with great individual performances. Fifth-year senior Rebecca Walter recorded a regional qualifying mark in the 5000-meter run and redshirt senior Laura Glynn finished third with a personal best of 9:38.90 in the 3000-meter run.

The Michigan men's track team also made its mark at Franklin Field with a close finish in the 4X800 relay. Starting about 15 yards behind Columbia's Liam Boylan-Pett on the anchor leg, fifth-year senior Andrew Ellerton caught up with 200 meters to go. But in the final 10 yards, Boylan-Pett inched by Ellerton for the win by one-tenth of a second. Michigan's time of 7:22.74 was just short of its winning time two years ago by twenty-five hundredths.

The Wolverines may have had their second title in three years with better handoffs, but with many people on the track, luck just wasn't on their side.

"When you're coming down a track with 14 people trying to make an exchange at the same time, I don't care how much you practice it, it's a matter of being in the right place at the right time," Warhurst said.

Senior Jeff Porter continued his success at the 110 meter hurdles recording a personal-best of 13.79. Placing third, the Somerset, N.J. native progressed well from the 14.25 he recorded just two weeks ago.

"Today was his best ever," Warhurst said. "I think if he improves a little each week, he'll be where he was in the indoor season. Unless he falls down or trips over a hurdle, he should make the NCAA championships."

Around the Nation: Michigan was also in action in the familiar Midwest. Women's track took on the Drake and Hillsdale Relays, while the men made Hillsdale its only other stop.

At the Drake Relays, the Wolverines took home the shuttle hurdle relay title with a winning time of 54.82. But Michigan's young 4X400 team, which captured a NCAA regional qualifying time, particularly caught the eye of Michigan head coach James Henry.

"Knowing that wasn't our top kids as well a lot of our younger and inexperienced kids, they probably had the race of their lives and I was really proud of how they performed," Henry said.
Michigan represented well at the Hillsdale Relays. Although nobody stood on top of podium, five Wolverines posted career-bests.

With improving performances across the nation, Michigan should be ready for the championship part of the season.

"It's really good because this is probably our last weekend to really push ourselves physically, emotionally and psychologically," Henry said. "It's probably our most important meets of the year leading up to the Big Ten."

Honorable Mention: This weekend at the Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa, Michigan women's track head coach James Henry was inducted into the Drake Relays Hall of Fame. In his 23rd season at Michigan, Henry has coached the Wolverines to eight relay titles in Drake Stadium.

"It's an appropriate recognition for someone who's got a great career," McGuire said. "And one who's worked very hard in nurturing and developing this program.