The Michigan Daily - Friday, February 13, 1987 - Page 13 SPORTS OF THE DAILY: '41' out to drown OSU Daily Photo by KAREN HANDELMAN, The Michigan wrestling team, shown here in action against Minnesota, is looking to regain its competitiveness this weekend against Notre Dame and Central Michigan. Iury-p agued graplers set -bsPP lo c -m--at II~sh Chipew By ALLEN GELDERLOOS The men's swimming team puts its undefeated record on the line this Saturday in their final home dual meet of the season against Big Ten rival Ohio State (2:00 p.m., Matt Mann Pool). Making their final home meet appearance will be seniors Dave Kerska and Joe Parker. In addition to their many individual accomplishments, the co- captains have helped Michigan (currently No. 8 in the nation) become a national power. Last year, they played an important part in Michigan's first Big Ten championship in 25 years. "They have taken advantage of every opportunity given them," said head coach Jon Urbanchek. "As freshmen, they were able to pick up a lot of good traits from the outgoing seniors. They worked out every summer and now it is really paying off for them." The meet itself should not be that close due to Michigan's depth, according to Urbanchek. However, both Parker and Kerska will have tough competition in the 100-yard freestyle, where Buckeye Mark Birnbirch has swam times equal to both Wolverine seniors. In addition, Ohio State's distance swimmer Brain McKay, a transfer from Texas, should challenge Michigan's Mats Nigren, Bjorn Warland, and Bill Kopas in the 1650- and 500-freestyles. The meet will feature some very fast times as both teams have begun to rest for Big Ten meet in three weeks. Urbanchek also said the format of the meet has been changed to give the swimmers a final chance to compete in some of the shorter and quicker events before Big Tens. Looking back over his four years, Parker said, "It has been the most positive experience of my college career." Track teams set for tourneys The women's indoor track team will host the Wolverine Open tomorrow in preparation for the Big Ten Championships to be held in Ann Arbor later this month. The men's team will travel to Ypsilanti for this weekend's Central Collegiate Championships. The Wolverine men are well rested from last week's meet at Michigan State, and hope to defend their back-to-back CC crowns. "The Spartan Relays were pretty low-key for us," said Michigan coach Jack Harvey. "We left most of the distance and field event people home to rest them for the Central Collegiates." Senior Chris Brewster, a two-time Central Collegiate "Outstanding Athlete"-award recipient and 1985 cross-country All-American, has already* qualified for the NCAA championships for the two- mile run (8:40.06). He leads a trio of Michigan runners, inclw!.; A e Schmidt and Joe Scherer, who should get some valuable points in the distance events for the Wolverines. In the field events, 1986 CC Indoor triple-jump champion Butch Starmack looks to retain his title. Coach Harvey has also been pleased with the improving performances of the sprinters, hurdlers and mid-distance runners. "Everything in East Lansing was pretty encouraging," he said. "Omar Davidsonis running very well, and Allen Jefferson and Phil Webb have been pleasant surprises." Davidson is the current CC Indoor 440-yard champion, while Webb runs the hurdles and Jefferson specializes in short dashes. The Wolverine women are looking at tomorrow's meet as "a warmup for the conference meet," according to head coach James Henry. Sonya Payne has been a premier performer with the shot-put this season, setting a new Michigan record with a heave of 49' 9" earlier this season. The Wolverine Open, featuring Big Ten powerhouses Indiana and Illinois, will take place tomorrow in the Track and Tennis Building. -KENNETH B. GOLDBERG By BILL ZOLLA The past several weeks have been less than kind to the Michigan wrestling squad. Besides suffering injuries to almost half of its starting lineup, the Wolverines were forced to face two of the country's top teams within a week. The combined score of those battles saw Penn State and Iowa State rout the patchwork Michigan squad, 79-8. Wrestling fans should not despair, however. The lightnat the end of the tunnel may be near.' Things just may be looking brighter for the Michigan wrestlers... finally. The Wolverines did manage to beat Minnesota last week for its second Big Ten win in a row (7-8-1 overall, 4-2-1 conference). They could notch two more victories this weekend as they face Notre Dame tonight at Crisler Arena and travel to Central Michigan on Sunday. Most importantly, a number of key wrestlers are expected to return from injuries and begin preparation for the Big Ten championships March 6-7. NOTRE DAME and Central Michigan do not appear to provide the powerful competi- tion that the Wolverines have faced in recent weeks. The Irish, coached by Fran McCann, are 1- 8 on the season and are currently in the midst of a seven-match losing streak. Like Michigan, Notre Dame a young team that has faced a number of injuries this season. They are led by four sophomores who were freshman All- Americans last year. Jerry Durso, their captain at 134 pounds, is 25-4 this season after winning a school-record 38 matches last year. Central Michigan, coached by Chick Sherwood, is 6-5-1 overall and 3-2 in the Mid- American Conference. The Chippewas have a number of strong wrestlers returning from a team that won the MAC last season. Their top wrestler is 177-pound Carlton Kincade with a 28-6 record. "Central Michigan should be a very competitive match and Notre Dame is a fine team now in a rebuilding -year," said Michigan head coach Dale Bahr. "It's certainly going to be a break in the schedule for us, especially after wrestling Iowa State and Penn State." Michigan's two top wrestlers, Doug Wyland at 126 pounds and John Fisher at 134, are both expected to wrestle this weekend, despite being at less than 100 percent physically. Wyland (21- 3) is still recovering from mono, ...................... .......... ....fi.......n....v::::::.yv:::nw::::: n............4... vv\...1 :... ...... v ..................v... v...vv... ,.4:iv:"v'3: ':