Michigan set to host the Wolverine Open on Friday

The University of Michigan women's cross country team opens its 2008 campaign Friday (Aug. 29), hosting the Wolverine Open. The Wolverine Open will be run at Hudson Mills Metropark in Dexter, Mich., at 4:45 p.m.

Last season, the Maize and Blue runners took third at the Big Ten Championships, second at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional and 21st at the NCAA Championships. Five of the seven runners that competed in the NCAA Regional and Championships return this season for the Wolverines, including fifth-year senior Nicole Edwards (Winnipeg, Manitoba/Vincent Massey), senior/juniors Geena Gall (Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc), Kelly Sampson (Detroit, Mich./Renaissance) and Katie Williams (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington) and sophomore Danielle Tauro (Manahawkin, N.J./Southern Regional). Also returning for the Maize and Blue is fifth-year senior Alyson Kohlmeier (Sarnia, Ontario/St. Patrick's) who redshirted during the 2007 season. Kohlmeier is a three-time All-Big Ten performer.