SPORTS The Michigan Doily Wednesday, October 13, 1982 Page 7 Passenger tours Mi By MIKE MCGRAW The only way most people would travel from Copper Harbor, the nor- thernmost city in the Upper Peninsula, to Grand Rapids is as a passenger in a car. But cross country runner Don Passenger is not like most people. THIS SUMMER the Wolverine senior started in Copper Harbor, biked to the straits of Mackinac, swam across, and then ran to Grand Rapids. Even if your major is not Michigan geography, that should seem impressive. "During the summer it's hard to get motivated to run every day, so I used the triathlon mostly as a good way to get in shape," said Passenger. "The idea came from a friend of mine, Joe Moch - he's the dumb one." So on August 8th, Passenger and Moch started their journey that would take them almost the entire length of the state. It took 10 days for them to cover the 315 miles between Copper Harbor and the straits of Mackinac and the next day they climbed into the water. "IT'S SIX and one-half miles across the water and it took about five hours for the swim. The first three-and-a-half hours were pretty enjoyable, but the rest of the trip was absolute torture. All I could think about was climbing into a boat," said Passenger. But Passenger, a Caledonia native, continued on to the opposite shore and then the next day started running the 225 mile, six-day trip to Grand Rapids. It was on the second day of this third leg that Moch dropped out because of a foot injury. But Passenger finished the ef- chigan fort with his fiancee running along side him part of the way. "The triathlon was fun to do and I got in great shape for the season," said the Natural Resources major. "I hadn't had any prior swimming experience. Over the summer I went to the pool at Grand Rapids J.C. every morning and their coach taught me quite a bit. 'During the summer, it's hard to get motivated to run every day, so I used the triathlon mostly as a good way to get "Don has never had a great cross country season before this year," said harrier coach Ron Warhurst. "But he definitely has shown the ability by run- ning a 4:05 mile. We're looking to him and our other seniors'to provide leader- ship that we haven't had in the past." SO FAR THIS season Passenger has been in the top five for Michigan in both their races as the Wolverines were twice victorious. He gives a lot of the credit for his success as well as the team's, to Warhurst's training methods. "Ron's style is pretty difficult for someone outside of the team to under- stand, but he's been very successful at it," said Passenger. "The practices are really laid back and the motivation comes from within yourself. He treats us as individuals and not strictly for team purposes." "I let my runners work on their own," says Warhurst. "If they have test to study for or something, they don't have to come to practice.It's up to them to do their workouts. That's where we need the hard way the leadership, if some of our experien- ced people can help to push some of the young guys along." IN ADDITION to self-motivation, the harriers practice routines often consist of running hills on the Huron Hills golf course, running randomly around the Ann Arbor countryside, or wearing oxygen reprovation tanks which put you at an altitude of 7,000 feet while running. All this is designed to bring the Wolverines a Big Ten Champion- ship. "Wisconsin is definitely the favorite, but I think we can match them on a good day," said Passenger. "If all our runners stay healthy we could win the conference, that is definitely my goal." Not an immediate goal for Passenger, however, is to run in any more triathlons. "I just did that over the summer to get in shape,"-he said. "I've also ran from Detroit to Muskegon twice for the Cancer Society. But what you've done is nothing, it's what you have to do." in shape.' -Don Passenger I'm definitely not swimmer." the world's greatest IN PREVIOUS seasons, Passenger was not the world's greatest cross coun- try runner either. Before coming to Michigan as a transfer last year he had spent seasons at Saginaw Valley and Grand Rapids Junior College, then an unhappy year at the University of Ken- tucky. "When I visited Kentucky I really liked the school and the area down there, but I couldn't get along with the coach at all," explained Passenger. "But it has been a lot different at Michigan. I can't say a bad thing about (coach Ron) Warhurst or (track coach Jack) Harvey." Daily Photo by JEFF SCHRIER Wolverine harrier Don Passenger, shown here at a work-out, attributes his successful 1982 season to an unusual training program. While most cross- countrymen run long distances in order to get in shape, Passenger uses the triathalon to prepare himself. NATURAL GROWTH TRAINING An experience that could be a major turning point in your life. 32 hours (4 days) of intensive and deep experiences with tak- ing risks, looking at yourself and others, caring, loving,. being committed and responsible ... " Oct. 14 & 15, 6:30 to 12 midnight " Oct. 16, 10:00 A.M. to 12 midnight " Oct. 17, 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Fee $50.00 NATURAL GROWTH TRAINING Centennial Center, Suite 605 124 Pearl Street, Ypsilanti, M1 48197 Phone-483-5400 ANN ARBOR CIVIC THEATRE We're gonna make you a STAR! And if you don't want to be a star, we'll make you an expert scene painter, or sound engineer, or makeup artist, or all of the above. To be exact, Ann Arbor Civic Theatre will be holding a Mass Meeting for new and old members. Come and join us; we'll take you on a tour of our building and we'll tell you What, Who, and Where you can get involved. Come to: Ann Arbor Civic Theatre 338 S. Main Street Thursday, October14th at 7:30 PM Refreshments will be served. GRIDDE PICKS, Rumors have been running rampant in the Daily sports staff concerning $riddes. First, an unidentified infor- mant known only as "Bubba," has come forward with the true reason behind the NFL players strike. It seems that the pros feel slighted because they are never featured in Griddes. Bubba claims that the players will hold out un- til Slippery Rock agrees to play the NFL all-stars in a "Gridde Grudge Match." The Rock has declined com- ment as of yet, but our sources tell us that Slippery Rock players have begun to lift weights in preparation for the big game. , Another nasty rumor, however, must be dispelled. The winner of this week's Gridde Picks WILL NOT receive nine free dinners at the Top of the Ponch. But don't despair, if you turn your picks in at the Daily offices at 420 Maynard by midnight Friday, and if you win, you will receive a small one-item pizza from Pizza Bob's. 1. MICHIGAN at Iowa (pick score) 2. Ohio State at Illinois 3. Indiana at Minnesota 4. Michigan State at Wisconsin 5. Northwestern at Purdue 6. USC at Stanford 7. Temple at Pittsburgh 8. West Texas State at Florida 9. James Madison at VMI 10. Houston at SMU X11. Mississippi State at Miami (Fla.) 12. Iowa State at.Missouri 13. Washington State at UCLA 14. Arizona at Notre Dame 15. Harvard at Dartmouth 16. Ohio U. at Eastern Michigan 17. Ball State at Kent State 18. Abilene Christian at Angelo State 19. Clarion State at Slippery Rock 20. DAILY LIBELS at Fryed Iowans INDIVIDUAL THEATRES 5th Av* ot Liberty 761-9700 It's A Comedy, A Thriller, A Romance! f'W