ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The seventh-ranked University of Michigan women's track and field team hosted the Red Simmons Invitational on Saturday (Jan. 23) at the U-M Track Building. Four Wolverines were individual champions while the 1600-meter relay teams finished 1-2 to cap off the meet.

This event was a non-scoring event that allowed U-M to gear up forthe Michigan Intercollegiate next Friday (Jan. 29). The other teamscompeting against the Maize and Blue harriers were Ball State, EasternMichigan, Notre Dame, Western Michigan and several other athletescompeting unattached.

Seniors Nicole Forrester (Cookstown, Ontario/Banting HS) and Sarah Hamilton (Canton, Mich./Salem HS) led the way for the Wolverines. Each received a Red Simmons Outstanding Performance honor, Forrester for the field athletes and Hamilton for the runners.

Forrester, the three-time All-American, won the high jump with a leap of 6 feet, 4 inches, achieving an NCAA automatic standard. Her jump also set a new Michigan indoor team record as well as a U-M Fieldhouse record.

Hamilton, a member of the NCAA champion distance medley relay in 1998, won the 600-meter dash with a time of 1:32.85, leading a 1-2-3 Wolverine sweep in the event. While running the 600-meter run and 800-meter run in all three meets this season, Hamilton is undefeated.

Two other Wolverines won individual events. Senior Nicole Keith (Wheeling, Ill./Wheeling HS) took the shot put with a heave of 46feet, 4 3/4 inches, and sophomore All-American Lisa Ouellet (Sudbury, Ontario/LaSalle Secondary) was victorious in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:12. 86, leading a 1-2-3 U-M sweep in the event.

The Wolverines will try to defend their 1998 title at the Michigan Intercollegiate on Friday, Jan. 29, in Ypsilanti, Mich. The meet will feature athletes from all over the state. The field events are to begin at 5 p.m., with the running competition starting at 7 p.m.

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Contact: Anne Kampfe (734) 763-4423

Last updated: Saturday, 23-Jan-1999 21:02:47 EST