Men's Swimming NCAA Championships Today and Tomorrow Indianapolis, IN SPORTS Women's Gymnastics Big Ten Championships Today and Tomorrow, Time TBA , Varsity Arena Page 10 The Michigan Daily Friday, March 23, 1990 NO. 1 HOPES END FOR GOTCHER, LEHRKE Wrestlers foiled at NCAAs Big Ten championships Women's gymnasts shoot to escape cellar by Jeff Sheran Daily Sports Writer COLLEGE PARK, MD.- After one day of competition in the NCAA Wrestling Championships, two of Michigan's four qualifiers remain alive. Ironically it is the two without previous tournament experience. 134-pound frosh Joey Gilbert, seeded tenth in the tournament, thrashed Fresno State Jon Pierro, 16- 4, in his consolation match. "Joey looked sharp," said Joe Pantaleo, Wolverine graduate assistant and NCAA runner-up at 158 the past two years. "Guys tend to relax in the tournament when they get a lead, but he stayed tough." Also remaining viable was senior Justin Spewock (167), who defeated Bryan Flint of Tennessee- Chattanooga, 8-6, in his consolation match. "Justin won because he stayed intense through the whole match," Pantalco said. However, Larry Gotcher fell short in his quest to repeat as three-time All-American. Gotcher dropped his 158-pound consolation match, 5-4, to Purdue's Dave Walter. He had beaten Walter at the Big Ten Championships two weeks ago. Junior Fritz Lehrke was also unable to advance. The fifth-seeded Wolverine lost his consolation match to Bucknell's Bryan Burns, Gilbert 11-5. In his second match Gilbert faced Indiana's Tony Hunter, the fifth match-up between the two this season. Gilbert, who had initially hoped to face non-conference opponents for as long as possible, lost to the seventh-seeded Hunter, 8- 7. "I'm disappointed, but he's a real good defensive wrestler and he knows how I wrestle," Gilbert said. "My goal is still to be all-American (top eight). And maybe I'll wind up beating him for third place." Gotcher's second-round match offered a defensive display, his style of wrestling. But he could not score a takedown against Cal-State Bakersfield's Jeff McAllister. and the match ended in favor of the fifth- seeded McAllister, 3-2. Lehrke faced Randy Couture of Oklahoma State, the twelfth seed. The two wrestled to a physical 6-6 tie at the end of regulation, each pummelling from a neutral position to score their takedowns. However in overtime, Couture prevailed, 2-1, to nullify any chance of a Wolverine national champion. Gilbert had won his first-round match with Jerry Hickey of Southwest Missouri, 11-4. The true frosh did not score his points by implementing his unique style, but rather by working for defensive takedowns and riding time. "I thought Gilbert showed real poise out there," coach Dale Bahr said. "I don't know how far he'll go, but regardless, he's a money man." Gotcher scored a 4-0 victory over Wilkes' Merrel Neal. Seeded twelfth, Gotcher shot off the first whistle and controlled the match for the entire seven minutes. "There was a zero on his side of the scoreboard, and that's the way I like it," Gotcher said. "I knew once I got a takedown in the first period that that was it-the match was mine." Spewock, unseeded at 167, squared off against seventh seed John Kohls of Brigham Young. by Dan Zoch Daily Sports Writer The Michigan women's gymnastics team hosts the Big Ten championships this Friday and Saturday night at Varsity Arena - an event they've been preparing for all season. The Wolverines, spearheaded by first-year coach Beverly Fry, have been longing to wipe away the memories of last year's seventh-in-a-field-of-seven finish. "My team is ready," said Fry. "We are taking the approach that we have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Even sixth place is an improvement over last year." Coming into the tournament this year, the Wolverines are ranked fifth in the field of seven competing Big Ten teams. The squad is led by top all- around performer, first-year gymnast Debbie Geiger and sophomore gymnast Diane Armento, who is currently ranked in the top ten on the vault. The dark horse Michigan team faces fierce, if not overwhelming, competition this weekend from Minnesota, Illinois, and Ohio State. Marie Rothlisberger, the 1989 Big Ten and NCAA Central Region all-around champion, leads top-ranked Minnesota into the tournament. The Golden Gophers have won the Big Ten championships the last two years and are heavily favored to repeat again this year. Ohio State used to be the preeminent women's gymnastics team until Minnesota came of age two years ago. Last year, Minnesota barely edged out Ohio State to win the Big Ten championship and keep their fledgling dynasty alive. Of Ohio State's past performances, Fry said, "They've always been a contender." However, Illinois may be the only team with a realistic opportunity to topple Minnesota. The Illini are the current leaders of the Big Ten and they've posted the top four all-around team scores of the season, each of them above 187.00 points. The Wolverines, in comparison, have averaged near 182.50 points this season. "Illinois has the top four scores (in the Big Ten)," Fry said, "and I wouldn't be surprised if they beat 0 JUOSEJUARMaily Michigan gymnast Wendy Comeau (foreground) practices on the balance beam as teammate Janna Jeffries (background) looks on. Minnesota." Fry doesn't want the Wolverines to be counted out, though. "This tournament should be so close, so competitive. The Big Ten offers the highest level of competition and it should be a real dogfight. And it helps to be at home." The Wolverines will start the competition on the floor exercise, an event that Fry has mixed emotions about. 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