A team shows a lot more character in adversity then in triumph.
For the Michigan women’s indoor track team, the Red Simmons
Invitational was about bouncing back from a disappointing showing
last weekend in the Indiana Quad.
- Janna Hutz
- Lindsay Gallo, pictured in front, ran a season-best time of 4:49.88 in the mile over the weekend at the Red Simmons Invitational. (RYAN WEINER/Daily)
After the second-place finish last week, it was important that
the Wolverines produced good scores from everyone although the
invitational was not team-scored.
The team claimed five event titles in the meet. Sophomore Katie
Erdman had a strong showing in the 800-meter run, posting an NCAA
provisional qualifying time of 2:07.21, while claiming first
place.
“It has been quite a while since I’ve been able to
race an 800, so the change was a lot of fun,” Erdman
said.
Erdman, the 2003 Big Ten Conference Indoor Freshman of the Year,
broke from the pack at the start line and was never challenged,
crossing the finish line 5.71 seconds ahead of junior Anna
Jones.
“Katie probably had the performance of the day in the
800-meter, I thought that it was outstanding,” Michigan coach
James Henry said.
Erdman was not the only Wolverine to have success Saturday as
Lindsay Gallo took the top spot in the mile when she turned in a
season-best time of 4:49.88. Much like Erdman in the 800-meter,
Gallo nearly ran the entire race by herself as she won by nearly
seven seconds.
In an exciting 400-meter run, junior Theresa Feldkamp took first
place, .65 seconds ahead of teammate senior Vera Simms. Feldkamp
ran most of the race fourth, waiting until the final turn to make
her move. Exiting this turn, Feldkamp began her sprint and gained
control of the race with less than 50 meters remaining.
Senior Robin Landfair also earned a first-place finish in the
60-meter hurdles.
“Robin did very well today, bouncing back strong from a
difficult week in Indiana,” Henry said.
The team ended the meet on a strong note as the 4-by-400-meter
relay team of sophomore Shavonne Maclin, junior Mora Arnold, Erdman
and Simms took home first place.
Saturday showed both effort and results unlike last week when
Henry saw effort, but few results.
“Last week we did not show the improvement that I had
hoped for, but this week was definitely an improvement,”
Henry said. “They redeemed themselves, but they can’t
get full of themselves, just like they couldn’t get down
after a poor week.”
Henry admits that it is up to the coaches to make sure the team
is ready for its road meets. That is especially important since the
Big Ten Championships will be held in Iowa City. If the Wolverines
want to defend their title Feb. 28 and 29, they will have to keep
improving as they did on Saturday.