§MmL , Did you know... Lary Sorensen, who was recently named the Detroit Tigers No. 2 radio announcer, joining Frank Beckman in the WJR booth, pitched for the Wolverines from 1974-76. Sorensen worked as broadcaster for SportsChannel, ESPN and The Baseball Network after a ten-year career in the Major Leagues. He led the Wolverines with nine wins in the 1976 season. Page 11 Wednesday March 1, 1995. * HOCKEY NOTEBOOK Wolverines top *attendance at Yost By Tom Seeley Daily Hockey Writer Last Friday's contest against Ferris State was more than just the final regular season home game for the seniors on the Michigan hockey team. The 6,887 fans at the game boosted the season's attendance at Yost Ice Arena over the 100,000 mark. "I'm really pleased with the crowds that we've had this year," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "We've had * crowds when the students weren't here - like last Friday - those were great crowds." The Wolverines have attracted a total of 103,389 supporters to the friendly confines of Yost this season, for an average of 6,892 per contest. The crowds are coming now to see Michigan play, and that's the way it should be," Berenson said. "It used to be 'Who is Michigan playing?' But now (the fans) come to see Michigan. "One of my goals was to sell the building out every night. What kind of a program am I coaching if nobody comes to watch it? We have (a hockey program) to entertain our students and represent our university and you'd think someone would take an interest. Well, they have taken an interest, and hopefully it'll continue." LIGHTING IT UP: While Michigan's offensive fire- power usually comes from top-line mainstays Brendan Morrison and Mike Knuble, recently the Wolverines have found another source of scoring prowess. In the four games over break, the line of junior Kevin Hilton and sophomores Warren Luhning and John Madden notched Blue looks to sweep 'Cats Last-place Northwestern poses next hurdle for Michigan By Ryan White Daily Basketball Writer It's tough to say that Michigan and North- western are two basketball teams going in dif- ferent directions. While the Wolverines have improved since the two teams first met Jan. 14, Northwestern has maintained the same level of play all season. Unfortunately for the Wildcats, they've played to a level about as high as a sumo wrestler's vertical jump. Michigan (9-5 Big Ten, 15-11 overall) faces the Wildcats (1-14, 5-19) for the second time this season tonight at 8 p.m. at Crisler Arena. The Wolverines beat Northwestern, 92-70, ear- lier this season in Evanston. "(Michigan) seems to be a whole lot more together offensively," Northwestern coach Ricky Byrdsong said. "They have become a lot more patient on offense." Byrdsong, however, can't have much patience left with his own team's offensive output. Northwestern ranks last in the Big Ten in field goal percentage (39.2), opponents' field goal percentage (51.1) and scoring defense, allowing 88.3 points per game. The Wildcats are also worst in the Big Ten in scoring margin, losing games by an average of 22.9 points. Northwestern is second in the conference in free throw percentage, however, knocking down 72.3 percent of its shots from the line. About the only way things could get worse for the Wildcats would be if they were facing the top defense in the Big Ten, and unfortu- nately for them - they are. Michigan comes into the game holding its opponents to just 38.4 percent from the floor and second in scoring defense, keeping teams to an average of 64.6 points per game. "The No. 1 thing (on defense) is that our younger guys have become a lot better with our helping defense," Michigan coach Steve Fisher said. The Wolverines also have three players among the Big Ten's top I1 shot blockers. Makhtar Ndiaye is fifth averaging 1.14 swats a game, Maurice Taylor is seventh (1.07) and Maceo Baston ranks ninth (1.00). "We do have shot blockers unlike last year," Fisher said. "I think that slight degree of intimi- dation affects other teams." If there is one thing that Michigan and Northwestern have in common, it's that both Wolverine forward Ray Jackson and Wildcat (Mchigan) SeemsJ t be a lot more togethner offensively." - Ricky Byrdsong Northwestern basketball coach center Cedric Neloms are leading their teams in scoring, averaging 14.9 points per game in Big Ten play. Tonight may see the return of Michigan freshman Jerod Ward. Ward, who injured his knee Jan. 22 against Michigan State, began practicing lightly last week and was cleared for full practice yesterday. Fisher said that whether or not he plays will depend on how fast he works his way back. "Any contribution we get from Jerod will be a plus," Fisher said. "Any significant contribu- tion would be a major plus." Matt Purdy is expected to return for the Wildcats after missing last weekend's game against Michigan State with a sprained wrist. "We've been playing a lot of athletic teams and we are definitely in need of another body," Byrdsong said. MARK FRIEDMAN/ Maurice Taylor had 23 points in the first meeting against Northwestern. See ICERS, Page 1.2 SWIMMING NOTEBOOK: Seniors leave mark at league championships By Marc Diller Daily Sports Writer When the No.2 Michigan women's swimming and diving team celebrated its ninth consecutive Big Ten champi- onship Feb. 18, the rest of the league rejoiced with the Wolverines. The other ten teams in the conference were happy to bid adieu to Michigan's standout senior class. The meet marked the final time the seniors would compete in Big Ten competition. The four lady Wolverines - co- captains Jennifer Almeida and Alecia Humphrey, as well as Melissa McLean and Karen Todd - made sure to leave in style. Humphrey accomplished unprec- edented feats in her tenure with Michi- gan. She amassed two Big Ten Swim- mer of the Year honors and joined an elite rank of swimmers who never lost in their respective event in conference competition. Even more astounding, Humphrey never lost in the 100- and 200-yard backstroke. As a freshman, she set two Big Ten records in both backstrokes, 54.53 and 1:54.71, respectively. "I hadn't really thought about it before the meet," Humphrey said. "I just really wanted to come in here and win these becauselknewl should have." "Humphrey's desire is outstanding," 0 Michigan coach Jim Richardson said. "She's just so coachable: It's great to work with her." In addition, Humphrey finished fourth in the 100-yard butterfly (56.62) and swam on two first-place relay teams. Almeida has been right beside Humphrey forall fouryears. Humphrey, Almeidaand juniorBethJacksonhave established themselves as the premier backstroke trio in the nation. The three swept the 100- and 200-yard backstroke in the Big Ten championships three straight seasons. "Something like this is incredible," Humphrey said. "A lot of backstrokers graduated last year and the backstroke events are wide open forNCAAs, so we could be incredible." Almeida earned third place in the 100 back, second in the 200 back, fourth in the 200 freestyle, and swam the sec- ond leg of the Wolverines' victorious 800-yard free relay and the third leg in Michigan's second-place400-yardfree relay. The other two seniors, McLean and Todd, appeared overshadowed by the co-captains, but made great contribu- tions to the Wolverines' victory. Todd finished sixth in the 100-yard breaststroke and clocked a NCAA con- sideration time of 1:04.15. She also earned a fourth-place finish (2:19.23) in the consolation round of the 200- yard breast.- McLean captured fourth place in the consolation heat of the 50- yard freestyle with a time of 24.01. "It will be very difficult to say goodbye to this group for obvious rea- sons," Richardson said. "I don't even want to think about it now." NCAA BOUND: Prior to last weekend's meet, Richardson had high aspirations for the NCAA Champion- ship meet in Austin, Tex., Mar. 16-18. He had hoped to add four to five more swimmers to the Wolverines' seven- women NCAA roster. By meet's end, Michigan had shattered all expecta- tions and swam so well that it over- filled its roster. "We've got a great group of believ- ers," Richardson said. "They're classic overachievers.It'sraretofind28 people like that." Of the 20 Wolverine swimmers who qualified, only 18 are allowed to com- pete in the championship meet. "Inever thought I'd see the day that Michigan didn't have enough room on its NCAA roster," Richardson said. "I only hoped to qualify 12-14 swimmers, but we had a lot of people qualify who we never expected. I guess if you have to have a problem, then that's a good one to have." Sophomore Jodi Navta's perfor- mance typified Richardson's senti- ments. After being sidelined for the majority of last year's regular season, Navta worked hard over the year to regain her form. In last weekend's meet, she unexpectedly emerged as one of the top Wolverine swimmers. Navta clocked NCAA times in three separate individual races, thoughRichardson did not expect her toqualify at all (200-yard individual medley in 2:01.94, the 400 IM in 4:17.40 and the 200-yard breast in 2:15.12). "Jodi Navta's swims marked a real milestone for her," Richardson said. "Jodi deserves to swim well because she's paid the price." Others who qualified to compete are Almeida, Humphrey and Todd,jun- iors Megan Gillam, Jackson and Car- rie Zarse, sophomores Lisa Butzlaff, Rachel Gustin, Anne Kampfe, Mel- issaStone, Dana VanSingel, and fresh- men Talor Bendel, Alegra Breaux, Karin Bunting,EllenFrauman, Kerri Hale, KimJohnson,StephanieMorey and Linda Riker. INTERNATIONALLY BOUND: The Wol- verines were able to free uponespace in their lineup already. Zarse has opted to compete in the Pan American games in Argentinaon the sameday astheNCAA meet. She is one of two female divers who has been chosen to represent the United States in Argentina. "I feel good and I'm ready to win," Zarse said. "I'll be looking forthe fax to see how we're doing in Texas." great scores... Kaplan helps you focus your test prep study where you need it most. We'll show you the proven skills and test- taking techniques that help you get a higher score. Good forcooKIEs your figure... Good for your budget... 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