The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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in school history, and the first since 1998, to earn All-America honors in the 10K. She attributes her success over the three seasons to McGuire and her teammates. "Coach McGuire really knows what he's doing," she said. "He's been around for a long time, is a stu- dent of the sport and knows his ath- letes, and prepares them to do well over all three. "My performances have a lot to do with him and then also having your teammates there that are go- ing through the same thing with you … We all are there for each other, to push each other, to train even when we might be a little tired or school is getting tough. We're all in it together, and that helps." When she was in seventh grade, competing in her very first cross country race, Finn dreamed of the day she would run at the Michigan High School state meet. Recalling that young girl, she unfurls her trademark smile and a happy, joyful laugh. "To think about that 13-year old girl on race day and realize how blessed I am and lucky I am, it puts things in perspective and makes me just want to go out there and do my best," Finn said. "Every day I can run and com- pete for Michigan is definitely living my dream." Finn took some time off, about two weeks, after her freshman season ended and then jumped back into training for the 2014 cross country campaign. She knows she will wear a target on her back, but she's not one to overburden herself with excessive expectations. "I have talked to Mike a little bit about whether our training is sustain- able for me to continue to achieve at a high level my sophomore year, junior, senior and post-collegiately, and he said yes if I follow the process," Finn said. "Not winning Big Ten titles would be disappointing because I won last year, but if I try my hardest and the competition is too good on that day, I can't be too upset. "The goal is to put myself in conten- tion in every race that I run, whether it's a regular-season meet, a Big Ten Championship or the NCAAs." With Finn's talent and mental mat- uration, she possesses the potential to enjoy a career with many more highlights. "She's not a blazer. She's not blessed with tremendous leg speed but what she has is an incredible en- gine," McGuire said. "Her ability to transport oxygen is off the charts, and her ability to hold a high-level sus- tained pace — we haven't had any- one like it. "She's on par with what [1998 NCAA cross country individual champion] Kate McGregor was do- ing at the end of her career. "We've had some great ones, but there was a step-by-step process. Erin has leapfrogged over the first inter- mediary steps. "I don't want to put a ceiling on what she could accomplish or put any pressure on her for what she should accomplish, but Erin is spe- cial, and she will have many more opportunities to win races." ❑