The Michigan Daily - Thursday, November 11- 9 Blue embarks on quest for ninth straight title Individual medley specialist Marcel Wouda is trying to repeat his success of a year ago when he captured Big Ten and NCAA individual titles. Sophomore runner stnves to balance success on and off the cour By TOM BAUSANO and TIM SMITH DAIL.Y SPORTS WRI1TERS Redshirt sophomore Courtney Babcock has made the most of her opportunity as a member of the women's cross country and track teams, and as a student at Michigan. Babcock, a Canadian native, is pursuing a degree in communica- tion and aspires to a career in the telecommunications industry. In addition, Babcock was named to the All-Big Ten team for her second- Splace finish at the conference meet last weekend. She also captured All- America honors in the 3000 meters during last year's indoor season. "I love Michigan," Babcock said. "I wouldn't want to go anywhere else. The whole atmosphere here is great, plus there is a whole lot of tradition. There is just a lot more tradition at American schools than *those in Canada." Courtney has carried on a family tradition by coming to Ann Arbor. Her father and coach, Larry Babcock, played hockey for Michi- gan from 1961-1963. "My father never forced me to do anything, but helped me in a positive way," Courtney said. "My dad used to run when I was young and he used to take us out with him. @1 played basketball and volleyball when I was growing up, and didn't really get serious with running 'til grade 12." Larry served as Courtney's coach until she began to train with the University of Toronto Track Club in grade 12. "She ran through high school but shewas more involved with other team sports," Larry said. "As a kid she swam competitively in the Pro- vincial championships, and played a lot of ball. I think she just made up her mind to be good at track in grade 12." Courtney has certainly made up her mind to be successful at Michi- gan. At the Big Ten meet, she turned in a gutsy performance by leading the pack from the start, until team- mate Molly McClimon passed her in the final straightaway. "My goal going into the meet was to win as a team," Courtney said. "I have had kind of a slow start this season but I'm getting more focused as we go on. It's definitely getting more intense. While I'm sit- ting in class all I can think about is districts and the finals." Along with making up her mind to be a solid runner, Courtney deter- mined early that she wanted to at- tend Michigan. "We definitely had a school that she was seriously considering," Michigan women's cross-country coach Mike McGuire said. "We hadn't really heard of her, to tell you the truth, because we hadn't really recruited Canadians. Courtney was the first Canadian ath- lete that we recruited. She actually contacted us." Although sports was amajor fac- tor in her strong desire to study at Michigan, academics was always a top priority. "Although that was a big factor, people like Mike (McGuire) and Sue Foster were an important part of her decision," Larry said." Courtney has fit in with the people and atmosphere within the Michigan athletic community. "I think it is great how all the teams support one another," Courtney said. "All of my good friends are athletes, and I go to all of the volleyball and gymnastics meets. Last year, I lived in a house with six "Courtney has been v portive of my having to Since we are such good fri knows the right things t cheer me up." Courtney will have th seasons of eligibility in cr try and two more in track tinue her list of impressiv mances, "Last year's indoor se my best so far in termsc well and feeling good,"t said. "Running my PR{ record) at Notre Dame an ing an All-American are my most exciting times Michigan." McGuire will be forc pend on Courtney moren because of the loss of All-A Molly McClimon and stand Szabo. "Courtney is low-key but she doesn't run tha McGuire said. "She has aY fact approach to running race day, she's as feistya petitive as anyone I ha coached. I don't think I a out on a limb by saying tha win an NCAA title befo done here." Courtney has earned th gan Athletic Academic ment Award every terms entered the university. All of the running acco the chance of winning an in national title are outs achievements in and amo selves, but Courtney has n+ sight of her ultimate goal- ing a degree from the UnP Michigan. By BRETT JOHNSON DAILY SPORTS WRITER The drive for nine starts this week- end for the Michigan men's swim- ming and diving team. The Wolver- ines are coming off of their eighth consecutive Big Ten title and a sec- ond place finish in the NCAA cham- :::.'r f" pionships. This weekend the Wolverines travel to Wisconsin where they will take on the host Badgers, Minnesota and Michigan State. The meet will FILE PHOTO give the Wolverines their first look at Minnesota, this season's toughest Big Ten competition. "Our only competition is Minne- 1eS sota,"Michigan coach Jon Urbanchek said. "They are considered to have enough to challenge us. Redshirt se- nior Paul Nelsen is their number-one se gun. He's capable of winning any event he swims." very sup- Nelsen has previously won both redshirt. the 200- and 400-yard individual ends, she medleys at the Big Ten meet, buthe is o say to not Minnesota's only weapon. The Golden Gophers also return swim- ree more mers MattBrown, Eric Jorgensen and oss coun- Bernie Zeruhn who scored well at the k to con- conference meet. In addition, they !e perfor- have oneof the conference's top divers in P.J. Bogart. ason was Despite losing three of its top of racing swimmers (Eric Namesnik, Eric Courtney Wunderlich and Brian Gunn), Michi- (personal gan is still favored to win the Big Ten d becom- title. This is due to a great returning probably class as well as a solid freshman class. here at The Wolverines return distance freestyler and IM specialist Marcel ed to de- Wouda, backstroker Royce Sharp and next year sprint freestyler Gustavo Borges. All American three scored very well at the NCAA outChris meet. Both Wouda and Borges won events in the competition. by nature In addition, co-captains Rodney at way," VanTassellandBrice Kopas willhave key roles on the team. Both contrib- uted to last year's squad and will beb asked to assume even bigger roles this year. Other returning swimmers will also be asked to make bigger contributions to help offset the losses. The freshman class, which in- cludes Tom Dolan, Chris Rumley and John Piersma, will also be important to the success of this year's team. Dolan competed in the Pan-Pacifics this summer for the United States, and finished second in the 400 IM. "Three or four freshmen can step in, but not right away," Urbanchek said. "You can'tjust replace guys like Wunderlich, Namesnik and Gunn. Someone on the team may step up, too. Courtney Fowlermightstep up to another level. "All the freshmen will see some: action this weekend. Piersma isswim- ming his No. 1 event, the 200-yard freestyle. Rumley is swimming the 200 and 500 free, and Dolan is swim- ming the middle distance events and the 200 IM." As for the weekend's other com- petition, it is not the same caliber of Michigan or Minnesota. Wisconsin lost one of its top swimmers, Robert Pinter, from last season's sixth-place Big Ten team. The Badgers do return Valter Kalaus, who is capable of scor- ing. Last year's eighth-place team, Michigan State, returns Chris-Carol Bremer, but the Spartans do not have the talent or depth to challenge the conference's elite. Urbanchek said that he is looking forward to his team hitting the water for the first time in competition. "It's a good chance to see where everyone is going into the third month of training," Urbanchek said. "After this, we can make a prediction of , what is possible, where we are and where we go from here." Babcock other athletes, and we all had a great time together." Teammate Kelly Chard was one of Courtney's roommates last year. Chard has been forced to take a medical redshirt this season just as Courtney did her freshman year. "Living with people from other teams certainly broadened our base of friends within the athletic com- munity," Chard said. "We had three girls from the volleyball team and one from the softball team, besides Courtney and I. matter of , but on and com- ave ever am going at she can re she is re Michi- Achieve- since she lades and ndividual standing ng them- tever lost - attain- versity of Teams challenging for postseason bowl bids By Marc Diller FOR THE DAILY * Michigan football has been a ma- jor disappointment this season. That may be the understatement of the year. With two games left in the season, no one would have guessed the Wol- verine football team would be injeop- ardy of finishing below .500 for the first time since 1967 (4-6). The last time Michigan was idle during the postseason was 1974. Atleasttherest f the Big Ten is making up for ichigan's subpar performance. This weekend six conference teams other than the Wolverines are battling for bowl bids. The key ques- tion is who will be in Pasadena on New Year's Day. The Big Ten matchups for Saturday stack up as follows: Michigan State (3-2, 5-3) at Purdue (0-6,1-8) Purdue is the laughing stock ofthe 0&[W W $ L.it 'x:'1.' **t 2~ W~Is t M~ 2WJ.'..M5jc .higer*". .. ST ^4. at Purdu .e .':1"\:1 Big Ten this year. Look for Michigan State quarterback Jim Miller and tailback Craig Thomas to abuse the Boilermaker defense. Thomas, com- ing off a phenomenal performance last week against Northwestern (163 yards, 2 touchdowns), is saying, "If Biakabutuka can do it, then so can I." At least one Michigan team will be practicing during December. Michigan State 34, Purdue 6. Indiana (4-2, 7-2) at Ohio State (5-0-1, 8-0-1) Maybe this isn't Indiana's Rose Bowl year. The Hoosiers' loss to Penn State last week destroyed all hopes of traveling to Pasadena. Ohio State looks to rebound from last week's tie in Madison. The Buckeyesare in com- plete control of their destiny and they're not going to let Indiana get in the way, especially in Columbus. This is John Cooper's year to take home the thorny flowers. The Buckeyes have the whole package. If there is one man to watch this Saturday, Joey Galloway is that man. Ohio State 27, Indiana 17. Illinois (5-1, 5-4) at Penn State (3-2, 6-2) Sure, Penn State is the better team and is playing at home, but Illinois coach Lou Tepper can smell the roses. The Illini are streaking at the right time, and Johnny Johnson can lead them to victory in Beaver Stadium. Joe Paterno will wish his team had never entered the Big Ten. Too late! There is no joy in Happy Valley this year. Illinois 17, Penn State 14. Iowa (1-5,4-5)at Northwestern (0-6, 2-7) Who cares? I would rather watch Northwestern's basketball team scrimmage than see this depressing matchup. Preseason Heisman hopeful Lee Gissendaner needs to strut his stuff the final two games before he enters the NFL draft. Northwestern is due for a Big Ten victory anyway. Who would be a better victim than Hayden Fry's Hawkeyes? Why even waste your time worrying about this one when the national championship is going tobe determined in South Bend. Northwestern 21, Iowa 13. " te"'5% Advertising and Publ Relations " French Poitics * Arts and Architecture " Business and Economics " Journalism and communications " Health and Human Services " Semester program offered in fal and spring. Proof that no one knows tests like Kaplan: 4 5; " ' ' Iow a ii : :: : No : + cwestem i.i iii i ::.: . . .l.': f. s " $ "t::.NJ'.r'.:t .aa ;; r::~~ tM~ .M ;:.:...::::: :.: :;s.:::.. Q...:..:.:.:: Kaplan has found a pattern behind GRE Pattern Identification questions-a way for you to get them right nearly every time. In seconds. Even if you don't understand the question. And because the method works best on harder questions, you have more time to work on the easy ones. And, with the largest staff of researchers in the industry-spending $2 million a year analyzing the tests-you have to expect this sort of thing. Kaplan has "broken the code" on three other question-types since 1982, contributing to the removal of those questions from the tests. All of hi m *cvni c,. hihn 1