Varsity - The Official Digital Magazine of Wisconsin Athletics

Varsity - November 21, 2013

Varsity is the free Official Digital Magazine of Wisconsin Athletics, covering Badgers football, basketball, hockey and more each week.

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BADGERING MICHAEL VAN VOORHIS Junior Michael Van Voorhis is making the most of his 2013 cross country campaign. After the departure of All-Americans Mohammed Ahmed, Reed Connor and Maverick Darling, the St. Paul, Minn., native has provided a spark for an inexperienced team, finishing 21st at the competitive Wisconsin adidas Invitational and 13th at the Big Ten Championship to earn first-team all-conference honors. What was your mindset coming into a season where there wasn't really an established, veteran leader? "We all run together, we run as a team, so just coming into the season, since there wasn't really a leader, we all just fought our hardest. At the start of the season we did some pack runs and it just kind of progressed and natural leaders came out. I am one of the older guys, I have been in this program now for three years. I certainly have some experience and if guys see me as a leader, that's great. But I don't demand that I'm a leader." "I think it has been a pretty successful season. Getting All-Big Ten, that's great. Pretty big run at adidas a couple weeks ago, that was certainly nice. But moving forward, I want the team to go to nationals, obviously, if we are top two or three in the region, which would be awesome. Obviously I have goals for myself at the national meet. It is always wonderful to have more All-Americans, and that is certainly a goal of mine, but I won't be crushed if I don't get there because I always have next year." How would you assess your performance so far this season? What did you learn from Mohammed Ahmed, Maverick Darling and Reed Connor that you have used to improve as a runner? "Certainly the 'Badger Tough' mantra. That is definitely a big thing. I think, who I learned from most, is definitely Maverick. He has taken me aside a couple times and told me to take the easy days easy and take the hard days hard and you will be successful. That is advice he got from Chris Solinsky, so it is certainly good advice. It has been successful for both of them and it has worked out for me so far." What does the team need to do to rebound from the Big Ten meet as you near the Great Lakes Regional and NCAA championship? "Big Tens was a disappointment, but Indiana and Michigan both had great races. I'm happy for Indiana being able to end the streak. I don't know if we were really prepared for that big move in the final few kilometers. Just the way the race developed at Big Tens didn't suit the type of runners that we have. Moving forward, obviously we need to be top three in the region. I think it is certainly doable. It is really down to Indiana, Michigan and us. We just need a solid performance at regionals. We always say 'Big Tens and beyond,' and now we are in the 'beyond part,' and we need to focus on having good races. Regionals, being on our home course, we know it real well. It is always hard going away to Big Tens and running on a course you have only really run once, so I think we have an advantage there. Certainly we are going to be sharp for regionals and nationals and I expect us to finish better." 26 // VARSITY November 21, 2013 QUICK Q'S WITH MICHAEL The arch at Camp Randall Favorite spot on campus? Yogurt and water Favorite food and drink? Alex Brill Funniest guy on the team? I, Robot by Issac Asimov Favorite book/author? Favorite TV show? How I Met Your Mother Chris Solinsky Favorite athlete?

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