As November looms on the calendar, both UW cross country teams have completed their seasons and now look forward to this weekend’s Big Ten conference meet. Both squads have garnered their share of success, and each carries a national ranking into this weekend’s meet in East Lansing. The men’s team has put together a strong campaign so far and currently possesses a No. 2 national ranking, trailing only Stanford.
Wisconsin has traditionally dominated the conference meet, and this weekend they look to add a fifth consecutive conference title to their records. At Monday’s press conference, coach Jerry Schumacher showed he has no illusions about his expectations for this weekend.
“I think we’re sitting in the similar boat that we were in last year,” Schumacher said. “The Big Ten Championship is coming up, and we’re going into it with the expectation and the hope of winning the Big Ten Championship.”
Wisconsin won last year’s meet by 54 points, the second largest margin of victory in conference history, and has six runners who have earned All-Big Ten honors in their careers. The Badger men will not be without competition, however, as nationally-ranked conference opponents Michigan (No. 6) and Ohio State (No. 7) will look to stop UW’s streak. Schumacher isn’t expecting a fifth title to come easily, though.
“It’s going to be a tough meet, and nothing comes easy in the Big Ten Championships,” Schumacher said.
While the conference championship is important, it pales in comparison to the NCAA meet in two weeks. Wisconsin is already looking ahead to the national stage and their showdown with top-ranked Stanford.
“The postseason — the NCAA meet, really — that’s always our main focus, and we want to make sure we’re at our best that week … if you can get yourself in the top four in the country year in and year out, one of these times you’re going to win it,” Schumacher said. “Something is bound to go right for us one of these times. Not that it hasn’t, but you know, Stanford.”
The women’s team looks to atone for last year’s disappointing showing in the conference tournament, which they finished in fifth place. Hillary Edmondson won first team All-Big Ten honors in the meet, but is looking for a better showing from the team this year.
“I think everybody was disappointed in last year’s finish and it gave … all of us more fire to really work together and go for the win,” Edmondson said. “I think that’s definitely what we’re capable of if we’re all firing on all cylinders.”
The women’s squad goes into Saturday boasting a No. 18 ranking nationally, but will face some stiff competition, as Michigan State carries a No. 4 ranking into the meet, followed by Michigan at No. 10 and Penn State at No. 19.
However, women’s coach Peter Tegen doesn’t put too much stock on the rankings being carried into this weekend’s meet.
“You know those rankings are always just rankings,” Tegen said. “They change when you face reality.”
Coach Tegen will lead the women’s team into the conference meet for the last time this weekend, as he will retire after the track and field season this winter. He has successfully coached the women’s cross country and track and field teams for 30 years. Edmondson and her teammates are quick to recognize their desire to send their legendary coach out on a winning note.
“We’re also aware of the legacy … I mean, how can you ignore it?” Edmondson said. “There’s been so much success on this team in the past, and I think that helps because it gives us pressure knowing that we want to fulfill those footsteps. And also, Peter’s coached us as best as he can and really prepared us.”
