The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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than six seconds. "I knew she was really good when we recruited her," said McGuire, who is the distance coach for the track and field team and the head coach for cross country. "What she did in the fall, I thought she was capable of, but the amazing thing is how she con- tinued to progress through all three seasons. "She broke the 5,000 school record in indoors and then just kept getting faster outdoors. That's unusual for a freshman. Usually they're on fumes by outdoors, or they can be. But not her." At Outdoor NCAAs June 12, Finn would place sixth, crossing only nine seconds later than her Big Ten time, in becoming the fourth Wolverine Best Of The Rest While every season is a swan song for a number of great seniors who have led their Michigan teams to accomplishments, there is also an opportunity to embrace the rookie standouts that will one day assume greater responsibili- ties. In 2013-14, a slew of rookies proved they can be cornerstones for their programs to build around. 1. Sierra Thompson, basketball — A 32-game starter at guard for the Wolverines, Thompson was an All-Big Ten honorable mention recipient after ranking second on the team with 13.2 points per game. She was also third on the Wolverines with 2.9 assists and 1.1 steals per contest. Thompson set a U-M freshman record with 75 three-pointers, while her 449 points are the third most ever by a Michigan rookie. 2. Grace Choi, golf — The rookie started all 10 of Michigan's tournaments, recording a team-best three top-20 individual finishes and three rounds, among 28, under par. She carded a season average of 75.64 strokes per round — the fifth-best total in U-M history and the top mark ever produced by a Maize and Blue freshman — and was the team's top finisher in five events, including four of the last five meets. 3. Madisson Lewis, soccer — The Canton, Mich., native proved herself the goal-scoring heir to senior Nkem Ezurike, ranking second on the team in 2013 in goals (six), assists (nine) and points (21). Lewis scored a team-high five game-winning goals in being named a unanimous selection to the All- Big Ten Freshman Team. TopDrawerSoccer.com also ranked her the No. 12 freshman nationally. 4. Allison Skaggs, water polo — Skaggs became only the third Wolverine in 14 seasons to take home College Water Polo Association Western Division Rookie of the Year honors. The Lake Forest, Calif., native appeared in all 34 of Michigan's games, ranking third on the team with 37 goals and fourth with 51 points after adding 14 assists. Skaggs recorded five hat tricks and was an Association of College Water Polo Coaches honorable mention All-American. — Michael Spath