a I U THE FOLKS EXPECT YOU TO WRITE HOME ONCE IN A WHILE . 0 . 044 ~AyA * HER E'S AN EASIER WAY SPORTS Page 10 Friday, January 29, 1982 The Michigan Daily Injury doesn't set back top gymnast Van Mierlo 0 By STEVEN it. KAMEN, Gymnasts, unlike many other athletes, are often unable to suc- cessfully come back after a serious in- jury. Gymnastics in the last decade has been progressing so quickly that long interims of recovery set the'gymnast too far back relative to the competition. Michigan gymnast Chris Van Mierlo, however, defied those terrible odds, and after a severe injury to his right arm, has come back stronger than ever. Preceding the 1980 National Cham- pionships, Van Mierlo's arm was severely dislocated, thus causing car- tilage and ligament damage. Con- sequently in May of that year, Van Mierlo underwent surgery to repair the arm. After the operation, he was not even able to lift his arm over his head. The operation had thoroughly inhibited his strength and flexibility.. "CHRIS HAS overcome tremendous obstacles to perform as a top conten- der," said Michigan head gymnastics coach Newt Loken. For a year and a half, from the operation in May 1980- to the beginning of the 1981-82 season, Van Mierlo has worked hard toward his recovery. During the summer months he went to Palestrum gymnastic camp and he worked with trainers and other people on building up the strength in his arm. Van Mierlo "is a hard, intense, com- petitive worker who wants to excel," commented Loken.. "Lots of time, I didn't know whether I should go on because it hurt so much," said Van Mierlo. "Coach Loken only pushed me when I needed it. His greatest asset as a coach is his ability to know when you need a push and when you need to work on your own." THE TEAM, and the athletic depar- tment were also integral parts of Van Mierlo's recovery. The Michigan trainers were patient and encouraging while pushing Chris through a trying period. Van Mierlo added, "I, hated to sit out a year and watch everybody compete. Seeing people get better en- couraged me to get better. The vast im- provement of the team over the last year was electrifying, and I just wanted to learn." Now Van Mierlo is a "bona fide top contender," according to Loken. In the last meet against Minnesota, Van Mierlo scored a formidable 9.25 on high: bar. The routine he performed deman- ded strenuous use of his shoulder even for a perfectly healthy gymnast. Van Mierlo is currently working toward bettering his scores on every event so that he can contribute positively in the upcoming Ohio State meet, and more importantly, in the Big Ten Championships. In his final year.of eligibility Van Mierlo claims, "Of all the years since I have been here, the team is showing its greatest potential, and winning the Big Ten Championship is within reach." Van Mierlo is continuing to improve. "My hit percentage on routines is in- creasing weekly. I feel more and more confident in the gym now." According to assistant coach Bob Dareen, "Chris is his own harshest critic. Based on that he had his sights set out on-making a .omeback and now his is better than before." Van Mierlo ... returns from injury SPORTS OF THE DAILY: Tankers await Hoosier challenge By JAMES THOMPSON Although the men's swimming team has been able to easily win most of its meets thus far, the tankers could run into difficulty when they collide with Indiana at Bloomington today. After defeating Wisconsin two weeks ago, the Wolverines had their last two meets (Purdue and Illinois) cancelled due to traveling difficulties. INDIANA, which finished second in the Big Ten last year, while Michigan ended up fourth, was able to defeat the Wolverines in the final event of the dual meet at Matt Mann Pool the last time the teams met.' "I think Indiana is a stronger team, only because they have more depth," said coach Gus Stager. "But if we swim our best we could beat-'em. Michigan appears to have stronger performers in the freestyle sprinting events but Indiana possesses superior butterfliers and the individual medley swimmers. LEADING Michigan's freestyle swimmers are senior Fernando 'Y'",SUMMER CAMPS The Ann Arbor Y Is now accepting applications for staff positions at the following camps: CAMP AL-GON-QUIAN: a resident comp for boys and girls located on Burt Lake in northern Mich. Camp dotes are June 21 to August 7. Senior staff positions, ages 18 and above are available in the following areas: horseback riding, sailing, canoeing, arts and crafts, trips director, archery, nature, woodwork- ing, riflery, land sports."swimming, water skiing, and camp nurse. Salary plus room and board. CAMP BIRKETT: A day camp for boys and girls located on Silvr Lake near Pinckney. Camp dates are June 21-August 20. Senior staff posi- tions, ages 18 and above are available in the following areas: Archery, swimming, sailing, canoeing, arts and crafts, nature, and general counselor. Applications and additional infor- mation regarding positions at both camps may be obtained by contacting the Ann Arbor Y. 350 South Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor, Mich. 48104 or calling (313) 663- 0536. An Equal opportunity Employer Canales, senior Kevin Williamson, and sophomore Mark Noetzel. Junior Bruce Gemmel heads the Michigan Iyackstrokers, senior Trip Gage is the top qualifier in the butterfly event, and senior Tom Ernsting,a top breastroker. One thing that worries Stager at this point is whether the Hoosiers have reached their potential this season. "They have good swimmers, but I don't think they've done their best yet," said Stager. "I'm worried over whether or not they're going to come out and show what they can do." IF THE Michigan swimmers aren't able to hold off the Hoosier tankers, the talented divers may boost the Wolverines to victory. Ron Merriott, an NCAA finalist on the one-meter board, heads a trio of Wolverine divers. Seniors Jon Beach, a Big Ten finalist on the three-meter board last season, and Mark McMann, a Big Ten finalist in both the one and three-meter boards, complete the, strong Michigan diving squad. Rugby fundraiser For the first time in the history of the Michigan Rugby club, an invitation was received to participate in the World Collegiate Rugby Tournament held in Vancouver, Canada, March 10-14. One obstacle, however, stands in their way. Money. It would take approximately $10,000-to fly and board a 25-man squad to Vancouver, leaving the club about $7,000 shy. A benefit will be held Sunday, January 31, to raise money for the Rugby Club, at Joe's Star Lounge, located at 101 N. Main St. The band featured is Kevin Lynch and the Cadillac Cowboys and tickets can be purchased before Sunday for $2.00. Otherwise, there will be a $2.50 cover charge. ANOTHER FUND raising tactic used by the team is "Rent a Rugby Player.'' According to team members, for $15, one can rent a rugby player for 3-5 hours for such activities as heavy moving, heavy cleaning, or whatever fits the imagination. The Rugby club has enjoyed a suc- cessful season with a record of 20 wins, one loss and one tie. The rugby season began the first week of the school term and runs through the third week of Oc- tober. Their second season starts in the middle of March and ends the last week of May. According to Dave Weber, a second-year. MBA student, team mem- ber and organizer, the team will enjoy a competitive spring season including a match with the Chicago Lions, one of the top teams in the Midwest, April 3. The World Collegiate Rugby Tour- nament, slotted for March 10-14 will host six teams, and according to Weber, they are "the best in the world." In-: cluded in the six are: Oxford, Univer- sity of British Columbia, University of California at Berkeley, University of Aucland, New Zealand, Michigan, and the hosting team, the University of Vic- toria. "We have a pretty decent chance of winning," said Weber. "We have good team spirit and I hope we can keep it up. It will be a big test going into the tournament." -LORI FAIN BLAT'T° Iq I TO WRITE HOME- SIX DAYS A WEEK! m -m m -m -a -mum - s m -a -i -i mmi -n -ml -g -i m -u im -ai -i -a am -m -a -u mm - -u -ai um m sm -aale Dear Mom and Dad: 1 I thought you might like to know what school is like for me every day. The Michigan 1 Daily is the University's daily newspaper. It brings the most complete coverage of 1 1 Campus news six days a week . . . not to mention community, state and national 1 coverage, a Sunday magazine; sports, features and editorials, and more! 1 Just fill out this form and mail, with your check to:1 1 The Michigan Daily/420 Maynard/Ann Arbor, M 48109 1 1 That. way we'll have lots to discuss about living in Ann, Arbor, and my days at 1 1 Michigan, the next time I come home.1 1 1 LEAVE BLANK Yes, I would like to s u b s c r i be to THE LEAVE BLANK MICHIGAN DAILY. I agree to be billed later1 1 (pre-payment necessary for subs. outside of Ann Arbor, Mich.)1 1 ONE SEMESTER TWO SEMESTERS PERMANENT 1 (automatically renewed1 each term)1 1 SCHEDULE OF PRICES: For Circulation Dept. Use Only 1 $12 SEPT. thru APRIL (2 Semesters) IFo Stencil Typed O $13 by Mail outside Ann Arbor It y $6.50 per Semester INumber of paers 1 $7.00 by Mail outside Ann Arbor Io1 jIAmount Due I Date Started (Please Print) Last Name First Middle initial I Code 3I * t t.DtndPnI( rl n " Rudy T. honored Former Michigan basketball All- American Rudy Tomjanovich had his pro basketball uniform number retired , last night by the Houston Rockets during a halftime ceremony of the Rockets game against Philadelphia. Tomjanovich, who wore No. 45 for over a decade, retired this past season after injuries ended a standout career spent entirely with Houston. While at Michigan from 1968-70, Tom- janovich, now 33, compiled over 1800 points and 1000 rebounds, which place him third and first, respectively, in the all-time 'M' records. "Rudy. T." was, named to the All-America team in 1970 when he averaged 30 points and 15, rebounds per game. -CHRIS GERBASI with AP wire reports& l BENITO'S PIZZA 1952 S. 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