The Michigan women’s cross country team has done it again. For the third straight week, the Wolverines came home with a first-place finish, making Michigan an impressive 3-0 on the 2002 season.
- Paul Wong
- LESLIE WARD/Daily
Michigan junior Lindsey Gallo has led the Wolverines to three consecutive first-place finishes.
The Wolverines topped the field of nine teams at the Sundodger Invitational in Seattle, which included Washington and No. 22 Texas A&M. Michigan scored 45 points, defeating host Washington by 27. Washington managed to come in second despite the absence of two of their top runners.
Idaho finished third in the race, and Texas A&M rounded out the top four, with senior All-American Melissa Gulli finishing first overall.
“It was a good win,” Michigan coach Mike McGuire said. “It was definitely our best race to date.”
For the second consecutive week, the Wolverines were led by junior Lindsey Gallo, who finished sixth overall with a career-best time of 17:20.
“I ran pretty well, but I think I could’ve run a little stronger at the end,” Gallo said. “I think that everyone working together is what makes our team strong and intimidating.”
Gallo, an All-Big Ten selection last season as a sophomore, was also the top runner for the Wolverines at their second race, the Mel Brodt Invitational in Bowling Green, Ohio.
Other top performers were sophomore Andrea Parker (8th place, 17:25), senior Jane Martineau (11th place, 17:38), sophomore Ana Gjesdal (12th place, 17:40) and freshman Rebecca Walter (13th place, 17:40). Parker led the team in the season opener at the Detroit.
“I felt like 10 of the 12 (runners) had really good races,” McGuire said. “Lindsey had a good race, but she can work on her finish.”
Luckily, Gallo will have this week to train, rest up and strengthen her finishing stride, as the Wolverines will head to Terre Haute, Ind. on Oct. 5 for the Indiana State Invitational. Once again, Gallo will be looking to push her team to a strong finish.
“The level of competition will be higher,” McGuire said of the upcoming race. “We’re training well as a group and getting better from week to week, but there’s still plenty of work to do.”
McGuire added that improvement will require more training at practice and a greater overall effort, as the Wolverines will face much tougher competition in the weeks to come.