The Michigan Daily-Friday, May 4, 1979--Page 19
RESIGNATIONS CRIPPLE RECRUITING:
Coaches quit, tumblers troubled
By ALAN FANGER
Now that Scott Ponto and Ginger Robey have
resigned as Michigan's womien's gymnastics
coaches, Women's Athletic Director Phyllis Ocker
faces the task of finding a new mentor and rebuilding
the recruiting base which was destroyed by their
departure.
When Ponto and Robey ended their contract talks
with the Athletic Department last week, three top
high school gymnasts who had "verbally committed"
themselves to attending Michigan this fall promptly
withdrew any interest in competing for the
Wolverines.
"We have no recruits coming now," said Ocker,
who acted as Athletic Department spokesman during
negotiations. "We still have a couple who we're in-
terested in, and we may have a transfer student
coming here."
Ocker indicated a new coach could be named "in
the near future." She added that the Athletic Depar-
tment is currently in touch with a former collegiate
gymnastics coach who plans on moving into the area.
But for now, recruiting is being handled simply by
"answering correspondence," Ocker said.
Meanwhile, two veterans of the squad have ex-
pressed doubts as to whether they will be tumbling
next season. Co-captain Mia Axon, a consistent all-
arounder, and Sara Flom, whose many accomplish-
ments include a first in floor exercises at the Midwest
Regionals two months ago, have said academic
commitments may prevent them from competing in
their senior years.
One Wolverine gymnast has already made her
departure official. Colleen Forrestel, the state's top
vaulter this year, announced last month she will
transfer to the University of Washington this fall.
Many team members and recruits were concerned
over the quality of practice facilities at the Sports
Coliseum. As part of a new contract, Ponto and
Robey wanted both an expansion in practice space
and a larger, safer tumbling mat.
"If th6 facilities are inadequate, it's very hard to
get recruits to come here," Robey said before
resigning. "But I'm sure the situation will eventually
be resolved."
Ocker, however, believes the recruiting matter can
be rectified before the season gets underway.
"If we get two or three with experience, then we're
going to have a competitive program," she said. "I
don't think their (Ponto and Robey) leaving is going
to affect the program. If so, I think it's more of a
reflection on them."
Scott Ponto
SPORTS OF THE DAILY
Spectacular Bid gets 3-5 odds
LOUISVILLE - Spectacular Bid,
winner of 10 straight stakes races, was
made the 3-5 favorite over nine rivals
entered yesterday for tomorrow's 105th
Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
Spectacular Bid drew the No. 3 post
position and will be ridden by 19-year-
old Ronnie Franklin.
BEN RIDDER'S Flying Paster, the 9-
5 second choice for the 1 -mile three-
year-old test, drew the No. 9 post, a spot
which trainer Gordon Campbell said he
favored because his California-bred
will have less chance of getting into
trouble there. Veteran Don Pierce will
ride Flying Paster, a winner of 10 of 14
starts.
Golden Act, owned by William
Oldknow and Robert Phipps, drew the
No. 1 post position. Sandy Hawley will
ride the Arkansas and Louisiana Derby
winner. Great Rgdeemer will go from
the No. 2 post.
After Spectacular Bid comes Rogers
Red Top Inc.'s Shamgo; Flying Zee
Stables' Screen King; Bertram
Firestone's General Assembly; Che-
BILLBOARD
The Recreational Sports Department
will be holding its Spring/Summer
locker sale on Saturday, May 12, at 8:00
pm. Lockers will he available, at hoth
the Central Campus Recreation
Building (CCRB) and the North Cam-
pus Recreation Building, and will be
sold on a first come/first served basis.
Only one locker may be purchased by
each person in line, and ID must be
shown. The cost is a $9 rental fee and a
$2 refundable lock deposit. Lockers at
the NCRB are non-renewable, while
lockers at the CCRB are renewable.
Lockers at the Intramural Sports
Building on Hoover are available any
day during normal business hours. For
more information, call the CCRB at 3-
3084, the NCRB at 3-4560, or the IMSB at
3-1313.
Bar Stable's King Celebrity; Mrs.
Tilyou Christopher's Sir Ivor Again;
Flying Paster; and Frederick Leh-
mann's Lot o' Gold on the far outside
10th position.
If all go, the race, the first leg of
thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown,
will be worth $304,900 with $217,400
going to the winner. All will carry 126
pounds.
-AP
So ftballers roll
The Michigan Dental school betrayed
Central Michigan yesterday, and the
result was a 5-1 Michigan softball vic-
tory in the first round of the State Tour-
nament at Grand Valley.
Blue hurler Theresa Gardocki, a den-
tal-student who missed the Wolverines'
twinbill loss to the Chippewa nine
earlier this season due to academic
commitments, snatched her 12th win
against no losses for this season, as
Michigan raised its season record to 20-
6 in the rain-delayed competition.
Catcher Sheryl Tominac cranked out
two hits for the winners, while first-
sacker Tammie Sanders tripled in the
game-winning run.
The winning rally came in the fourth.
Blue batter Karla Hench began the
fireworks, reaching first on a bunt
single. Centerfielder Debbie Haines
moved her to second with a sacrifice
bunt and after stealing third, Hench
scored on a suicide squeeze by Diane
Hatch.
Hatch was safe on the error, setting
the stage for Sanders' base-cleaning
blast.
=DAILY SPORTS
The Athlete's Shop
presents...
SPRING CLEATS SALE
Softball, baseball and soccer
adidas ---factory seconds
nylon $10 leather $12-$15
Regular Cleat Stock-1O% OFF
OFFER GOOD MAY 3,4, & 5
Thursday 309 5. State St. Fri. & Sat.
S1-8*P.M. 9951717 10-6p.m.