Page 9 -The Michigan Daily-Thursday, March 17, 1988
full court
PRESS.
Women cagers finish fine season
By MIKE GILL
The last ounce of life plummeted out of the 1987-
88 basketball season for the women Wolverines. It's
all over - there is no more. But as the final seconds
ticked off the clock Saturday, there were smiles,
high-fives, and many memories running through
each and every player.
Yes, this year was special. 14-14 is a nice record.
But this year was special. Players will remember it.
With every sports team there are special
moments. Moments you will recall five, 15, and 20
years from now. It's what can unite the team.
Saturday night, and again Sunday afternoon at the
team's post-season banquet, the memories ran like a
just-tapped keg.
THIS WAS A TEAM that left a banquet a
year ago wondering where to turn. Every path seemed
filled with trap doors. Team morale was low. Team
camaraderie was non-existent. The record? It smelled
worse than a skunk at a toxic-waste dump.
And then the team began to pull together. Being a
unit off the court is as essential as putting the ball in
the basket while on. "This year I became better
friends with my team," said sophomore Tanya Pow-
ell. "Our relationship together off the court really
helped us understand each other."
It was the little things.
Sorry Bud, but this was not too bright. Michigan
coach VanDeWege had the gall to schedule a Devil's
Night practice, October 30. After practice, the team
raided the Crisler Arena bathrooms like the storming
of the Bastille.
"We pee-peed Buddy's house" was Tempie
Brown's simple description of the action that fol-
lowed. One tree was smothered with Mr. Whipple's
finest. And then there came lights - and a car. The
team found itself hitting the ground, making noise,
listening to their heart beat against the cool grass,
just feet in front of VanDeWege's bedroom window.
THE NEXT DAY all VanDeWege could do
was smile - he knew it wasn't the 10-year-old down
the street - it was his players showing they cared.
There were other majestic moments - Leslie
Spicer singing the national anthem before the
Michigan State game, Mary Rosowski's half-court
shot that was "nothing but net," Sarah Basford and
Barbie Loeher sneaking to 7-11 in their pajamas
while in North Carolina, and many others.
So as the season progressed, their on-court play
became more unified, composed, relaxed, together.
The team swept a road series - a first in Michigan
history - which Vonnie Thompson calls "the
greatest feeling." Come-from-behind wins became a
fact of life for this crew - and this made it all the
more fun - for players and fans alike.
IT'S GREAT TO SEE enthusiasm, sheer
boyish enthusiasm out of a coach - not forced fits
of anger to impress the crowds or referees. Van-
DeWege is too young to become staid. He gets ex-
cited. He'll jump up and down when Thompson or
Lisa Reynolds cans a shot to cut the lead, to take the
lead, to up the lead. Boom. A shot - it's good.
Now- look at Bud. There he goes again - it's
beautiful.
But it was the road trips, as any team will tell
you, that will unite a team. Little tiny incidents that
everyone can partake in and share a laugh... one per-
son's fascination with the salad bar, not knowing
Carol Szczehowski was left at the hotel until some-
one comments about how quiet it is when they arrive
for dinner, and yes... pickin' up guys at the airport.
While in the Iowa airport, the players saw a
young man who caught all of their eyes. After other
members chickened out, Rosowski took it upon
herself to befriend the young man. "I don't even
know what we talked about, but I was trying t6
think of so many things." Rosowski worked her
magic - and found she was speaking to Hawkeye
quarterback Chuck Hartlieb.
And so they said good-bye to each other Sunday.
Good-bye to Vonnie Thompson, the assist-pro
Good-bye to Sarah Basford, the silent leader who
worried about others before herself.
"Sarah came to me Friday," VanDeWege told the
crowd while his voice slightly quivered. "She said
just want you to know I know what tomorrow
means to you. I don't want you to feel the tensions
and pressures that will be on you to play me a
certain amount.' That's just an incredible thing."
Remarkable. Symbolic of the team. Sure they
said good-bye, but they also said hello - to
unlimited futures. New leaders like Rosowski
Joannie Rieger and Jill VanStee. Sophomores who
will be juniors in Reynolds, Spicer, Powell and
Brown.
VanDeWege said last year's post-season banquet
set the tone for the this season. He hopes the same
this year. "We are using the banquet as a springboard
for next season," said the fourth-year coach. "And our
hope for an NCAA bid."
Good-bye, '87-88. Hello, NCAA.
Wrestlers set for NCAA finals
By STEVEN COHEN
Every once in a while one will
visit one's alma mater and reflect on
college years. Michigan coach Dale
Bahr, an Iowa State alumnus, will be
in Ames, Iowa, this week, not to
reminisce but to coach.
Bahr is there because seven of his
wrestlers will be participating in the
59th annual NCAA wrestling cham-
pionships. Eight Michigan wrestlers
qualified, but 126-pounder Dave
Dameron suffered a compression
fracture in his back and is unable to
compete.
With Dameron, the No. 8.
Wolverines figured to be in strong,
"(Gotcher's) a money man. When
the chips are down he's picking up
the dough," said Coach Bahr.
Surprising many by winning four
out of six matches last year, Mike
Amine nearly earned All-American
status. This year he looks to further
his success.
With a 31-7 record and a second
place showing in the Big Tens, Joe
Pantaleo will not enter the tourna-
ment complacent. He is determined
to avenge the controversial 3-2 loss
he suffered to John Heffernan of Iowa
at the Big Tens.
Roommates Sam Amine and Bob
Potokar, 150 pounds and heavy-
weight respectively, would like to
have matching "His and His" plaques
adorning their wall.
If the Wolverines wrestle to their
potential, they will lug a lot of
hardware back to Ann Arbor.
Bursley Library
Annual Art Show
Call for Entries
Open to UM community
Accepted 2D and 3D works
All media, including video
For Information:
Call the Bursley Library
763-1419
Albert Terrace
1700 Geddes
M-Th
F
So
Su
4:00 - 12:00
5:00 - 9:00
1:00 - 4:00
12:00- 12:00
M
M
i
N
. ................. ..................................... - - - - -
position to finish in the top five na- :-<
tionally. Only Iowa State, Oklahoma
State and Penn State qualified more >n:ersity Activities Center
wrestlers.:
"It just puts a lot more pressure
on the other guys to make up for his Impact Jazz Dance
* loss," said Coach Bahr. Soph Show
INl A SEASON FULL of N w f r Cmd opn
challenges, Michigan has learned to Now for Comedy Company
deal with adversity. Yet additional Starbound
challenges remain. Com m ittee Tech. Crew
For John Fisher, the Big Ten Viewpoint Lectures
4 champ at 134 pounds, the challenge Viewi ntL
of his longtime nemesis, John Cr Special Events
Smith, remains. Smith, recently fea- Ticket Central
tured in Sports Illustrated, was de- Dositions: Michigras
scribed as "all but unbeatable." This Laughtrack
only motivates Fisher more.
~I "My goal is to win the nationals," Mini-Courses
said Fisher. "If John Smith gets in MUSKET
my way, I'll have to beat him." Mediatrics
Will Waters, third in the Big Ten Homecoming
at 118, hopes to end his career in a
big way. College Bowl
"This is my last time out. The Soundstage
other two times, I've come out
empty-handed," said Waters. "This
time I've got to prove to myself that applications are due in the UAC offices
I'm an All-American. I think I (2105 M. Union) by Friday, March 18 3:00pm
should have (been) one in the past."
LARRY GOTCHER and Mike sign up for interview date and time
Amine hope to prove that their third for more info, call 763-1 107
place showings at the Big Tens fore-f
shadow strong finishes at Ames.
"THE MELTING POT REVISITED"
A Minority Awareness Symposium:
A Recognition of the Diversity of Our Different Groups
and
A Search for a Common Ground or a Sense of Community
Upon Which to Base Increased Group Interaction
Saturday, March 19,1988 Room 120 Hutchins Hall, University
of Michigan Law School
9:00-10:Oam Rudy Acua Author, Occupied Amierica
1:15-11:15am Donald Tamaki Former Exec. Dir, Asian
Law Caucus; Attorney of
Record: Korematsuv..S.
1130-1230pm Phyllis Alexander Civil Rights Coordinator of
Iowa City
2 00-3:Opm Velma Mason Indian Education,. .SDept.
of Education
3:15-4:15pm David Scondrass Openly Gay Boston City
Councilman
4:30-5:3&pm TBA
60Q-7:Q0pm Reception
Sunday, March 20,1988 Room 150 Hutchins Hall, University
of Michigan Law School
h<.
Entry Deadline
SATURDAY APRIL 2, 1988
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Open House
March 19, 1988
We have something for ever
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