Head Coach:

Kevin Sullivan (1st Year)

 

Last Year:

2nd Big 10

1st Great Lake Region

21st NCAA 

 

Probable Top Five:

SR Mason Ferlic (7:56 3k; 13:55 5k; 8:38 3k Steeple; 22nd NCAA XC '13)

SO Ben Flanagan (14:20 5k; 99th NCAA XC '13)

JR Tony Smoragiewicz (14:26 5k; 172nd NCAA XC '13; 132nd NCAA XC '12)

JR August Pappas (14:23 5k; 29:29 10k; 23rd Great Lakes '13; 217th NCAA XC '13)

SR James Yau (8:18 3k; 14:28 5k; 8:55 3k Steeple) 

 

Impact Freshman/Recruits:

Brian Barnes - Novi, MI (4:15 1600m; 1:53 800m)

Kyle Kroon - Toms River South, NJ (4:16 1600m; 9:03 3200m; 28th Footlocker '12)

Colin Martin - Fox Chapel Area, PA (4:18 1600m; 8:30 3k; 8:59 3200m; 14:49 5k)

Ethan Martin - Fox Chapel Area, PA (4:18 1600m; 8:33 3k; 9:10 3200m)

Brennan Munley - Waterford Mott, MI (4:16 1600m; 1:50 800m)

Costa Willets - Ann Arbor Pioneer, MI (4:17 1600m; 9:29 3200m)

 

Analysis: 
The exciting word around Ann Arbor this late summer is, “Sully is back."  Coach Kevin Sullivan was hired on July 17th to be the new head cross country coach at the University of Michigan, replacing Alex Gibby who had the position for the previous four years.

Kevin Sullivan is a University of Michigan legend. Three time Olympian at 1500 meters for Canada, he was a star from the get-go at Michigan. Now, he needs to replicate that as their new head coach. His coaching experience is limited, but his name should be a big boon in recruiting, especially north of the border. 

Fortunately, Gibby did not leave the cupboard bare. We have Mason Ferlic as a top 14 finisher this year and his excellent track season lends support to his chances. He was 22nd last year and as a senior All-American, is the perfect leader for this team.

Sullivan’s fellow Canadian, Ben Flanagan has excellent cross skills. He has been second the last two years in the Canadian Junior cross championships. Junior Tony Smorgiewicz might be the real key to Michigan fortunes this year. As a high schooler, he was a heavyweight. Coming out of Rapid City, South Dakota, he seemed primed to be the next Big Blue star. In reality, he seems to have had a worse sophomore year than he did as a freshman, and perhaps his success as a triathlete has impacted his running somewhat. Tony’s father and brother were both college swimmers, so it is understandable that his focus might be drifting there. But for Sullivan’s sake, Tony needs to recapture his running toughness. Junior August Pappas showed his 10k chops with his 29:20 on the track last season. If he can do that effort again on the grass, he could be their number three.

Best of Gibby’s recruits for this year is Colin Martin of Pennsylvania, whose 8:59 for 3200m is indicative of a solid performer. There are 6 freshmen in that 4:16 range and while that is not overwhelming, it predicts some nice depth in the future.

Indiana and Wisconsin are better in the Big Ten than Michigan, but those kind of battles will hone Michigan for their Region meet. Sully can get this job done. Everyone likes the guy, and recruiting will certainly be a strong suit for him.

#24 Villanova Women
#25 Georgetown Men