With the coming of spring, the Michigan women”s track team has embarked on yet another season.
The Wolverines tipped off their outdoor season in Tallahassee, Fla. this weekend with a non-scoring meet.
After a successful indoor season in which they finished fourth in the Big Ten Championships this past winter, Michigan got off to a promising start for the spring schedule.
The Wolverines captured four events over the two days, including three victories from the relay teams.
“We probably had good performances in every event,” Michigan coach James Henry said.
Friday”s track and field events were divided into two divisions based on performance level. Division I featured those runners who had the top eight performances.
Division II consisted of those who would perform well against lesser competition.
Senior middle-distance runner Adrienne Hunter won the only individual title for Michigan in the Division II 400- meter dash on Friday. She finished with a time of 57.76.
“I was very excited about my performance,” Hunter said. “I had not run a 400 in two years.”
She sat out her junior season because of injuries.
“I was pleased with how she competed,” Henry said. “Participating as a Division II runner gave her a chance to run.”
On Saturday, Hunter continued her success placing first in the 800 run in 2:11.93.
Henry indicated that maintaining a well-balanced team with depth will be the key to Michigan”s success.
Three aspects of the Wolverines” performance stood out. Henry was most impressed with Katie Jazwinski on her triple event performance. But the debut of freshman Melissa Bickett in the discus throw and Michigan”s success in the 4 by 400 relay also highlighted the beginning of the outdoor season.
Overall, the Florida State relays served as a springboard for the Wolverines to push off of. The transition from the indoor to the outdoor season can be physically and mentally draining considering that track and field, when including cross country in the fall, is the only collegiate sport that consists of three seasons.
The relay teams gelled in their respective events and gained confidence.
Next weekend the Wolverines will participate in the Stanford Invitational in Palo Alto, Calif.