Page 10-The Michigan Daily- Wednesday, December 9, 1992 i Youth plays role in water polo title run by Erin Himstedt Daily Sports Writer The Michigan water polo team starts out every season with the same goal: to win the Big Ten champi- onship in November. This year was no different, and despite a shaky start, the Wolverines managed to grab not only the conference crown but the regional title as well. This is the second consecutive year that the team accomplished that feat. It ended the season with an overall Big Ten record of 22-1-2 Having graduated nine of 15 players after the 1991 season, including the Big Ten MVP Dan Varner, the future didn't look promising. The team counted heavily on incoming talent. Four of the six starting field players were underclassmen, but the team's youth proved to be one of its strong points. "We graduated a whole bunch of our starters from last year, so I thought it would be a really tough season for the team to really come together and play well together," se- nior goalie Sam Chuang said. "I think the youth really helped us out a lot ... talent-wise and also skill- wise." Only Northwestern and Michigan State were able to pose a serious threat to the Wolverines in the com- petition for the conference title. Michigan was the dominating force in the Big Ten in terms of speed and physical conditioning, but its offen- sive was its most powerful weapon. "Our offensive power - we just have so many threats everywhere," Chuang said. "There's so many (threats) that, compared to other teams, they can't really stop us." The team's weakest link throughout the season was its defen- sive game. Fortunately for the Wolverines, they able to count on strong performances from goalies Chuang and Michael Raider to bal- ance this fault. "Our defensive game was a weakness," Chuang said. "At the start of the game we're kind of lax. We pretty much play up to our level towards the end. Sometimes that would get us behind in games." "We had a few breakdowns," se- nior David Prince said. "(But) the defensive players started coming through at the end of the year." In preparation for their departure, the team's seniors tried to lead by example. "They were good leaders, and then they were good players, so they pretty much controlled the team," freshman Pat Hanchin said. Their efforts should pay off. With the talent and experience returning to the team next year, Michigan shows few signs of dropping from its post as Big Ten water polo power- house in 1993. HOCKEY NOTEBOOK by Brett Forrest Daily Hockey Writer Along with senior Dave Roberts and freshman Ryan Sittler, five other Wolverines will see action in upcoming international tournaments. Roberts will be appearing for the USA Select Team in the USA Cup Dec. 18-19 in Albany, N.Y. The tournament will be a round-robin competition between the United States, Canada and Russia. "It'll be a change of pace," Roberts said. "I will have a chance to play with different players, get a different perspective. I can get some extra ice-time for the (Great Lakes Invitational). Also, players don't have to wear masks so I am going to wear a half-shield." Senior defenseman Pat Neaton was asked to play along with Roberts but declined due to conflicting exams. Juniors David Oliver and Cam Stewart were also invited to appear in the USA Cup. They will play for Canada, however, against Roberts. Sittler will play for the United States National Junior Team in the World Junior Championships in Gavle, Sweden, Dec. 26-Jan. 4. This will mark his second consecutive appearance in the competition. He will leave Ann Arbor after this weekend's games with Kent State and miss the GLI at the Joe Louis Arena and games Jan. 2-3 against the University of Alberta at Yost Ice Arena. Captain David Harlock is slated to play in the prestigious Izvestia Tournament held in Finland this year. The tournament will take place Dec. 12 to 21. This means Harlock will not be in the lineup against Kent Friday and Saturday. He will play for Canada against squads representing Sweden, Czechoslovakia, the Commonwealth of Independent States, Finland, Germany and Switzerland. Aaron Ward will play for Canada in the Spangler Cup Dec. 22-Jan. 1 in the Swiss Alps. He will miss the GLI and probably the Jan. 2 game against Alberta before returning for the game Jan. 3. MIAs: Friday at Yost, the Michigan defensive corps will be depleted by two. Harlock will be in Finland and Ward will be watching from the stands. Ward must sit out the first game against Kent due to a suspension levied against him Saturday at Michigan State after fighting with Spartan Bart Turner at the conclusion of the contest. Ward played in his first two games last weekend after coming back from knee surgery. "I feel bad I'm missing Friday's game," Ward stated. "I just got back into the lineup and now I have to sit again." This will be the second home game in which two Wolverine defensemen will be missing. The first time? Neaton and Chris Tamer were sidelined against Western Michigan Oct. 31. Neaton was at his home due to a death in the family and Tamer had received a high-sticking major the previous night in Kalamazoo. Ward's suspension marks the third time a Michigan player has had to sit out a game. Along with Tamer's 60-minute nap time, sophomore Mike Knuble was forced to ponder the error of his ways against Miami after a brutal hit levied against Keith Aldridge of Lake Superior the weekend before. All three suspensions were assessed near or at the conclusions of the games. PIT CHIN' IN: Head coach Red Berenson volunteered his time on Thanksgiving at Cottage Inn. The pizza establishment helped feed the Icers represent U.S., Canada, over break >i BOWL GRIDDES Drop off your winning picks at 420 Maynard by Thursday, Dec. 17 to win a $15 gift certificate to O'Sullivan's Eatery & Pub. 1. Rose: Michigan vs. Wash. 10. Liberty: Air Force vs. Mississippi 2. Silver: BGSU vs. Nev.- Reno 11. Hall of Fame: BC vs. Tennesse 3. Aloha: BYU vs. Kansas 12. Citrus: Ohio State vs. Georgia 4. Copper: Wash. St. vs. Utah 13. Cotton: Texas A&M vs. N.Dame 5. Freedom: USC vs. Fresno St. 14. Blockbuster: Penn St. vs. Stan. 6. Holiday: Hawaii vs. Illinois 15. Fiesta: Syracuse vs. Colorado 7. Ind.: Wake Forest vs. Oregon 16. Orange: Nebraska vs. Fla. St. 8. Hancock: Arizona vs. Baylor 17. Sugar: Miami (Fla.) vs. Alabama 9. Gator: Florida vs. N.C. State 18. Peach: Miss. St. vs. N. Carolina Pat Neaton, one of eight Wolverines invited to represent their respective countries in upcoming tournaments, won't be able to play due to exams. homeless during the holiday, handing out free food. Berenson was present as a helping hand for a spell as were many other Michigan athletic figures. By the way, yesterday was Berenson's birthday. BLAZING STARTS: Thirteen games into the season, Oliver leads the way for Michigan. The Vernon, B.C., native has 14 goals and 19 points and is eight points behind CCHA leader, Michigan State's Bryan Smolinski. Linemate Brian Wiseman is second on the team with 13 assists and 17 points while senior Mark Ouimet rounds out the top three with 13 assists and 15 points. Neaton leads the team in plus/minus with a plus 13. Tamer and sophomore Rick Willis spend the most time in the "sin bin" with 29 and 28 minutes, respectively. 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