The Michigan Daily-Thursday, April 2, 1981 -Page 1 i 'M') gridders battle for starting berths By RON POLLACK HELP WANTED Quarterback, left offensive guard, cen- ter, wide receiver, inside linebacker, outside linebacker, and defensive tackle needed for the Michigan football team. Previous experience necessary. Fringe benefits include: national ex- posure, travel to various midwestern cities during the fall months and warm ilnate on Jan. 1 of most years. Step- piIg-stone to high-salary, structured career. A number of players are currently vying for these positions, as Bo Schem- bechler is conducting interviews during spying football practice. Of particular intportance to the coach is the search for players to fill the openings on the defensive side of the line. "The key to our success once again is lat -the defense does," said Schem- Wichler. "If the defense plays well, we'll be okay. Even though we finished with a flurry last year defensively, three key guys are gone, (taking with them) leadership, two great linebackers and the best defensive lineman we had. That's tough." OPTING FOR THE two openings left vacant by the graduation of Andy Can- navino and Mel Owens are: Jim Her- mann, Mike Lemirande, Rodney Lyles, $en Needham and Carlton Rose. Needham returns after a one-year suspension only to find that his old position no longer awaits him. "We've moved Needham around a lit- tle bit," said Schembechler. "He played outside, and we moved him in- side to see what he can do in there. Needham's had a real good spring." In the absence of the departed Mike Trgovac, the two defensive tackle slots should be manned by Cedric Coles and Winf red Carraway. Coles and Carraway split time at the tackle spot opposite Trgovac during the latter two- thirds of the season. Another defensive tackle for the Wolverines is Tony Osbun, who was moved from the offen- sive line. However, his status on defen- se is currently uncertain. "WE MOVED TONY Osbun over the defensive tackle, and I'm not sure I'll leave him there," said Schembechler. "If he comes back to offense, he'll be the swing tackle." Schembechler predicted that any in- coming recruits who will make a con- tribution next season will do so on defense. "The one place where fresh- men could help would be, particularly, the defensive front and inside linebacker. If we can get one or two guys to be backup players there, that would help us." The big question on offense, for the second year in a row, is that of who will line up behind center to lead the Wolverine attack. The leading conten- ders are Steve Smith and Rich Hewlett, although Schembechler said that he has not narrowed the quarterback job down to these two. The Wolverine mentor added that he also "likes" David Hall and Greg Powell. B.J. Dickey is also back, after missing a year because of his suspension, and has been "doing a good job," according to Schembechler. BATTLING FOR the vacant widev receiver starting berth are Vince Bean, Fred Brockington and Kenny Gear. None of these three will provide .the Wolverines with much experience though, as they combined for only five catches and 91 yards last season. The most heated race for a starting spot is underway at left guard, accor- ding to Schembechler. The two players embroiled in this battle are Stefan Humphries and Rich Strenger. The center position has been an in- jury-plagued one thus far, as Jeff Felten was banged up on Tuesday to leave the Wolverines with only one cen- ter (Tom Dixon). Another injured cen- ter, Tom Garrity, is recovering from knee surgery. "TOM DIXON has looked good at center as a sophomore," said Schem- bechler. "I think he's going to be a good football player, but I'm not conceding it (the starting job). Felten's still in the picture, and so is Garrity when he comes back in the fall." The center position is not the only one where injuries have taken their toll. On offense, Lawrence Ricks sprained his ankle and Anthony Carter had a pulled muscle in his thigh. A plethora of in- juries has beset the Michigan secon- dary, as three members have gone down. Tony Jackson sprained an ankle, Marion Body has been out of several practices as a result of being banged up, and Harry Gosier required surgery for a knee injury. However, Michigan has regained the services of one defen- sive back, Stu Harris, back from his knee injury. Although the Wolverines have been hampered by these hurts, they have not been bothered by bad weather con- ditions because of their new indoor practice facilities. "IT'S HELPED A lot," said Schem- bechler. "Of the 10 practices thus far, six have been indoors. That's how much it's helped. We are never going to post- pone a practice, and that helps." Although the occurrence of practice can now be considered predictable, the same cannot always be said of the status of players. "I can say that there's a good chance that Kurt Becker will be starting right guard and be safe, and there are other positions that would be like that," said Schembechler. "But then there are some where I could say this guy is star- ting here at the end of the spring, and that could change. Who would have guessed that we'd play a freshman (Jeff Shaw) at middle guard last year? But I wouldn't bet my wallet that he'll be the middle guard this year." {":'{ti: "i":'iiviiT'":i{".'":i4Ui;: -";!'iv:"iv1' i: tjn':":i ?'4::: ii;:;" v{jTi'ti%.'Vi }:vti -:;:}?' Ji ti iti? ii: :":": 5:}i-' t:< ti.:}i::'{ .ji}}'iti "::::">k" : ;.::.>: *::"::::..,.,.; >..:"::::: n .>: 'The key to our success on- ce again is what the defense does. If the defense plays well, we'll be okay. Even though we finished with a flurry last year defensively, three key guys are gone, (taking with them) leadership, two great line- backers and the best defensive lineman we had. That's Four Wolverine gymnasts to vie tough. ' for national honors By LARRY MISHKIN There is no greater accomplishment for a college athlete than to win a national championship. Tonight through Saturday afternoon, four members of the Michigan men's gym- nastics team will attempt to do just that ats the NCAA Gymnastics champion- ships in Lincoln, Nebraska. The four Wolverine gymnasts, Darrell Yee, John Rieckhoff, Marshall arfield, and Kevin McKee qualified r the tournament by finishing among the. top eight performers in their respective events in the Mideast region and now represent the Maize- and-Blue among the elite of college gymnasts. FOR MICHIGAN HEAD coach Newt Loken, this will be his 43rd national championship meet, but he says that it still has all the excitement of his first ,ie. "I'm very excited to get out there nd see the guys in action," he said. "The best talent in the country will be there. It should be a great meet, and I'm- really looking forward to being there." Loken, in his usual manner, refrained from making any predictions on the outcome of the tournament but did in- dicate that his gymnasts are ready. "All four of the guys are healthy and rarin' to go," he said. "They're eager, hungry and want to do well. They've *een working very hard for this and would like to make a strong showing, but they realize that they are up against the best. There will be 80 competitors in every event, all trying to reach the finals - and only the top eight will make it." WHILE ALL FOUR gymnasts could conceivably reach the finals com- petition, the one Wolverine to watch is team captain Darrell Yee on the still rings, an event that he has dominated in the Big Ten for the last three years. ' Yee performed in the NCAA tour- nament last year, and Loken thinks that the experience could prove beneficial for his star performer. "Darrell has the experience, and this should help keep him calmer. This tournament is very nerve-wracking for the gymnast, and experience is always helpful," he said. Yee agreed with his mentor, saying that participating in the tournament last season is a plus for him. "It'll be in the same gym and with the same at- mosphere as last year, and now I've experienced it," he said. "Also, I know what I did wrong last year, so now I can improve on it. I'm pretty psyched and feel that I'm both mentally and physically prepared. This is a big meet for me - my last one - and I want to do well." MICHIGAN'S OTHER gymnast with previous NCAA tournament experience is McKee, who finished ninth last year in the floor exercise, barely missing the finals. This time, McKee enters the tournament ranked first in the floor exercise in the Mideast region and can also be expected to make a strong showing. Garfield, who qualified on the parallel bars, makes his first trip to the national tournament. He looks at pressure as a positive factor, rather than a negative one. "Hopefully, the pressure will affect me for the better," he said. "Because it is such an intense meet, I hope it will really get me keyed up. rong elite "I'm feeling pretty good about going. I'm very enthusiastic but regret that I'm not going as an all-arounder. Still, I am excited." The fourth Wolverine, pommel horse specialist Reickhoff, has turned in many strong performances this season and could be the dark horse of the Michigan group. The tournament begins tonight with the compulsory routines and continues tomorrow night with the optional routines. The top eight performers in each event will then qualify for the finals and a shot at a national cham- pionship on Saturday afternoon. -Bo Schembechler AiTTENTION ALL RECIPIENTS OF Please return your survey response as soon as possible. I . Gymnast Beckwith qualifies for nationals By WENDY CLARK Michigan freshman Kathy Beckwith will be the first gymnast ever to represent the Wolverines in national competition when she performs at the AIAW championships in Salt Lake City n April10 and 11. Beckwith, with a season average of 35.75 in the all-around event, goes into the competition ranked fourth among 24 individuals and 16 teams. HEAD COACH SHERI Hyatt, still exuberant over the team's fine perfor- mance at last weekend's MAIAW regional championships, was notified Monday of Beckwith's qualification. Hyatt had confidence in Beckwith, ut was not sure how many of the 24 at- large bids would be extended to gym- nasts also qualifying with their teams. In the week ahead Hyatt will take ° Beckwith to a private gymnastics club in Ann Arbor to train on the, same type of equipment that will be used next weekend in Utah at the national com- petition. Angels'deal By the Associated Press The California Angels traded slugging first baseman Jason Thom- pson and picked up veteran right- handed pitcher Ken Forsch in separate deals yesterday, the final day of the in- terleague trading deadline. Kuhn vetoes trade NEW YORK (AP) - A spokesman for baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn said last night two Pittsburgh Pirates trades - in which Jason Thompson went from the California Angels to the New York Yankees - have been at least temporarily blocked. Eagles Beatles Chicago Linda Rondstadt Doobie Bros. Fleetwood Mac Wings Boz Scaggs Bob Seger Rolling Stones Steely Dan Styx Jackson Browne Billy Joel Eric, Clapton Ann Arbor's favorite artists. The music you asked for - now - on WIQB Rock 103. We asked 2,800 of you who your favorite artists are. You told us - we heard you! WIQB plays Ann Arbor's favorite artists - 24 hours a day. CAMP TAMARACK Brighton & Ortonville, Mich. HAS SUMMER POSITIONS STILL AVAILABLE FOR Cabin Counselors, Specialists in arts & crafts, campcraft-