The Michigan Daily - Thursday, September 5, 1985 - Page 3C Harriers expect 'successful fall effort By STEVE HERZ Men's cross country coach Ron *arhurst is a realist. Prior to last year's Big Ten cham- pionships, he said first place was out of the question. Wisconsin, NCAA runner up in 1983, would be too tough for this team, Warhurst surmised. THE COACH was correct; his team finished second. The realist was not. Michigan beat a depleted Wisconsin squad but was felled by Illinois, which surprisingly walked off with the title. Heading into the NCAA finals, the *ealist took over once again. "All we can hope for is the top ten," Warhurst said. No hope was needed as the Wolverines glided in with a strong eighth-place finish. Warhurst, like any coach, will be quick to note that last season is nothing more than a piece of history. And a big piece of that team is history. GONE TO graduation are Bill Brady and Dave Meyer, who finished *ourth and seventh respectively, at the Big Tens last season. Their shoes will be tough to fill, but there will be several sophomores vying for the open spots. Among them will be Rollie Hudson and John Scherrer, both of whom are heavily recruited from out- side the state. Hudson, an Ohio native and Scherrer, a Maryland product, have a year of conditioning behind them and could emerge as tough competition. 0 Even with the graduation losses, assistant coach Mike Shea isn't labelinig '85 as a rebuilding year. "I think we'll be just as strong this year," he asserted. Shea is cautious to label his team as the favorite, however. "I still think we have to run against Wisconsin," he said. Wisconsin is still the team to beat." At least this year Michigan can focus solely on the Badgers without worrying about the Fighting Illini. As Whea acknowledged, "Illinois is pretty much decimated (by graduation)." LAST YEAR the key to success for the team, Shea noted, was together- ness. "Last year we were the only team that finished in the top ten without an individual All-American . . Stickers' future is promising with newomers By JOE DEVYAK "It's getting better all the time. Can't get much worse." Maybe Paul McCartney and John Lennon were singing about the Wolverine field hockey team. Head coach Karen "K.C." Collins knows after last year's disappointing 1-13-5 record things must get better. With a strong group of incoming freshmen and a number of experien- ced players returned, things should be looking up. COLLINS, along with assistant coach Andrea Wickerham, inked four fine prospects. "We're pleased (with our recruiting)," said Collins who is heading into her second year as head mentor. "We were disappointed at first - we lost our number one recruit - but we found another kid who filled that spot." A New Jersey native by the name of Sara Clark should see some playing time right away. "Personality-wise, she should fit right in with the team," said Collins. This inside forward's for- tes are her quickness and stick work. Angela Thompson, another inside forward, hails from Toledo. Always aggressive, she has been known to let her temper get the best of her. Wickerham says that "her temper can be turned into a strength" if it is used in the right way. ANOTHER Ohio native, this one from Columbus, should help the Wolverines in the scoring departmen- t. Robin Ives, an outside forward, led her team in scoring her senior year. After last season's poor offensive showing, it is no wonder that Collins said "we're looking for her to improve our offense." The final recruit secured by Collins played her high school hockey just a stone's throw away from Ferry Field, where Michigan hosts its opponents. Joanne Green, a product of Ann Ar- bor Pioneer, will provide a possible replacement for departing goalie Jonnie Terry, who was more often than not the only bright spot on the field last year. Green was heavily recruited, according to Collins, who added, "we're happy to have got- ten her." THE NUCLEUS of next year's team will include Joan Taylor (junior- . .'^".'Moto"y y , ","" HI Since the sport was brought back to the University in 1971, the men's cross-country team has consistently been one of the nation's best. This year should be no different for the Wolverine harriers as they challenge for the Big Ten crown. . which means we run well together," he explained. Whether or not this year's team can run as well together remains to be seen. But, unlike last year's team, this season's edition should have a star in its midst. After an ankle injury as a freshman, Chris Brewster bouneed back last year to finish sixth in the Big Tens. The junior from London, On- tario showed dramatic improvement in his long distance running by making the NCAA finals in the 10,000 meters on the outdoor track scene last spring. "Chris is our number one man," Shea noted. His chances to be an All- American-seemingly improve by the day. And barring an injury, he should be one of the Big Ten's toughest athletes. But one star won't bring the team overall success. Warhurst's ability to mold a unit has made him a consistent winner. The twelve year Michigan veteran boasts a perfect dual record, four Big Ten champion- ships and has placed in the top ten nationally three times, all in this decade. WARHURST'S ability to train athletes has been the key to his suc- cess. Cross Country is not a sport where talent can carry an athlete. "There's definitely a whole lot of coaching that goes on," said Shea. "Bob Vandenburg is a prime exam- ple of a guy who didn't set the world on fire in high school," Shea said. But after three years of Warhurst's tutelage, Vandenberg will be a key to the team. Last season Vandenberg took 19th place at the Big Tens, showing the most improvement of any runner. And with Warhurst's contin- ued work, Vandenberg can only ex- pect to get better. It's hard to predict success for any team. But looking at Ron Warhurst's history, success for his team this fall should be a reality. Sports Information Coach Karen Collins' squad will need some solid recruits, a little magic and a whole lot of determinaton to reverse last year's 1-13-5 debacle. forward), Jane Nixon (junior- MATH (MAJORS/MINORS! forward), Maryann Bell (junior- APTITUDE) ... goalie), and Katrina Warner You're Needed (sophomore-link). These returners along with the incoming freshmen All Over the have Collins beaming. "We're going to have a lot more depth. Physically, W orld. we're as strong as any team around," Collins says. Ask Peace Corps Moth volunteers "On paper, we should beat every why their degrees are needed in On pper we houd bet eery the classrooms of the world's de- team (that we play)," she said. "We telo oms of the w y need to overcome our mental dif- veloping nations. Ask them why ficulties and the players understand ingenuity and flexibility ore as this and they're working hard at it." vital as adapting to o different culture. They'll tell you their stu- Practice begins August 26. All walk- dents know Moth is the key to a ons are welcome. All those interested solid future. And they'll tell you should contact the women's athletic that Peace Corps adds up to a department for more information. career experience full of rewards and accomplishments. AsK them Look for this year's edition of the why Peace Corps is the toughest team to feature more offense and job you'll ever love. aggressive play. Both are trade- marks coaches Collins and Wickerham hope will become the PEACE CORPS hallmarks of Michigan field hockey. SCHROEDER TAKES AL L-AMERICAN HONORS: Women harriers tough By STEVE HERZ Sue Schroeder is no Jesse Owens. But blame that on her chromosomes and not on her running ability. LAST YEAR Schroeder led the Wolverines to a third-place Big Ten finish and earned All-American honors. Then, in the track season, running the cross country distance, 5,000 meters, Schroeder finished second in the nation and walked off again as an All-American. Believe it or not, her corss country performance was a disappointment. Schroeder's coach Sue Parks ex- iained: "Sue suffered from heat exhaustion in the Big Tens and she never fully recovered." Now that she has recovered, what can Michigan expect? "Sue Schroder has always been a better cross coun- try runner than track. She will be one of the premier runners in the coun- try," Parks asserted. EVEN WITH Schroeder's immense presence, Michigan will still have to *ompete against 1984 NCAA cham- pion Wisconsin. " "They had better watch out for us," Badger coach Peter Tegen warned, "because we're not going to sit out on our butts resting on our laurels." Wisconsin's top runner, Katy Ish- mael, who tied for the Big Ten cham- pionship last season, is recovering from a car accident. She suffered in- ternal bleeding, but Tegen said, "She's healing fine." EXCEPT FOR the departed Judy Yuhn, the Wolverines have their en- tire squad returning. Cathy Schmidt, in her last year, has focused her summer on cross country training. Also back are juniors Melissa Thom- pson and Kelly Burt. Both came on strong in their sophomore year and will play a vital role in this year's team. Last year Michigan failed to qualify from Michigan's district. This year, three teams will come from the district. And with the Wolverines hosting the Big Tens this fall, Michigan should find itself making a journey to the NCAAs in a few mon- ths. With the Badgers coming off two straight Big Ten titles, they must be considered the favorite. But Tegel refuses to label his team the best. "I don't think you can pick a favorite in our conference," he said. Tegel is concerned about the Wolverines and Sue Schroeder in par- ticular. "I feel that she has improved tremendously," he said. "I don't think Sue Schroeder is going to roll over and play dead. She may well be the Big Ten champion." Nobody is handing a Big Ten cham- pionship to the Wolverines, least of all Tegel, but with Sue Schroeder ador- ned in Maize and Blue, Michigan could very well run out and capture the championship itself. 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