4B - The Michigan Daily - SPORTSMonday - Monday, January 22, 1996
1996
ich igan
Swim
o"mn's Swimming
and Diving
Women face top
NCAA competition
Talor Bendel: Sophomore ...
Butterfly/Freestyle ... NCAA
Champion ... Seven-time All-
American ... Four-time Big Ten
Champion .. Big Ten record in 200-
meter freestyle and 100-meter
butterfly
By Chris Murphy
Daily Sports Writer
What sets the Michigan women's
swimming team apart from the rest of the
Athletic Department is not the team's
success and No. 2 national ranking.
What distinguishes this group of
Wolverines from most of the others is
their competition..
While most teams concern them-
selves with the Big Ten, the women
swimmers' schedule has a much
broader scope. Instead of having a
nonconference season followed by Big
Ten meets, the women's team will com-
pete against mostly non-league oppo-
nents for the duration of the season.
"Racing teams from all over the counn-
try is a really important part of our
training," said senior Megan Gillam.
It's not that the Big Ten and its tea'ms
are unimportant-the Wolverines will
compete in the Big Ten championship
at the end of February. That meet will
be Michigan's last real test before the
postseason.
It is, of course, the NCAA Champi-
onship that will ultimately make'or
break the Wolverines' season. And that
is why, throughout the regular season
Michigan will meet up with many of
the national powerhouses that will take
center stage this spring.
As of now, the Wolverines have al-
ready faced four of the top 10 teams in
the country. Some of them, like
Stanford and Southern Cal, have met
Michigan on several occasions.
"If we don't race (top-ranked oppo-
nents) during the season, we won't
know what to expect at nationals."
Gillam said.
Although the Wolverines have suf-
fetd losses to both the Cardinal and
the Trojans this year, the experience
gaited from those meets should be key
in the postseason.
The problem for Michigan is that
beltre it can take the national title, it
mut contend with about eight teams
that could vie for the top spot.
Last year, the Wolverines shocked
everyone by coming within 20 points
of beating Stanford. This year, a select
grctup of teams is looking to accom-
plish that same task.
"Last year wasn't supposed to be
close and we kind of surprised some
people," said Michigan coach Jim
Richardson. "And I think that's given
some other teams the hope that if they
cantget it together, then they can do the
same thing."
The teams that will be looking to
duplicate Michigan's success of last
year include Southern Methodist,
Texas, Arizona, Florida and Southerni
CaL All these teams'seem to be strong
enough in events.
"I just feel like there are five or six
teams that really could be there at the
end~' Richardson said. "There's that
mucd depth out there and there's that
muci balance."
Supplementing each team's depth
and balance are a few star swimmers.
Leading the pack could be Arizona's
Ashley Tappan. Thejunior should con-
tend in all of the sprint freestyles. In
addition, Southern Cal's Christine
Quance and Florida's Allison Wagner
shouild be the top swimmers in both the
200 and 400-meter intermediate med-
ley. Quance was a national champion
d. ..
r:
The schedule makers have given Michigan a full slate of national contenders this se
this suiner in the 400 I M.
The Trojans could perhaps be the
Wolveritnes' biggest menace in this
year's National Championship, which
will be 'held in March at Canham
Natatoritum. Southern Cal has faced
Michigan twice this season, winning
their m*t recent meet in Los Ange-
les.
The Tojans are hoping to build on a
successful 1995-96 season by making
a strong showing in Ann Arbor.
"I think we're a much better team
than we were last year," said Southern
Cal coach Mark Schubert. "We're a lot
healthierIthan last year. I think Florida,
Texas and us are going to be in a battle
for the third spot."
Unfortunately forteams like the Gators
and the Longhorns, third place might be
the best they can hope for, given the
talent of the Wolverines and Stanford.
"If you look roster-wise, Michigan
and Stanford have more of the quality
depth that it takes," said Southern Meth-
odist coach Steve Collins.
Currently ranked No. 1, Stanford is
the early favorite for the National
Championship. The Cardinal fought
off a threat from the Wolverines in
1995 to capture their fourth straight
national title.
Seniors Lisa Jacob and Jessica Tong
lead Stanford. The duo was instrumen-
tal in helping the Cardinal to its title
Megan Gillam: Senior ... Sprint
Freestyle ... NCAA Champion ..
Seven-time All-American ... Two-
time Big Ten Champion ... Big Ten
record in 200 and 400-meter
freestyle relays ... Big Ten record in
200 medley relay ... Co-captain
Talented 'M' squad to contend for elusive chain
Rachel Gustin: Junior ...
Breastroke/Intermediate Medley ..
NCAA Champion ... Eight-time All-
American ... Six-time Big Ten
Champion ... Big Ten record in 200-
meter breastroke
By Chris Murphy
Daily Sports Writer
If the national spotlight rested on the
Michigan women's swimming team in
1995, it was only for a few momentk.
The Wolverines surprised everybody
by coming within 20 points of the na-
tional title. In the end, though, the spot-
light shone on Stanford.
It is for this reason that this year's
squad is making it their job to knock off
the Cardinal and capture some national
glory.
It seems that Michigan has more
than a shot at grabbing a national title.
With 14 All-Americans, including three
NCAA champions and three Olympic
hopefuls, this year's Wolverines are
about as loaded as the Dallas Cow-
boys.
Deion Sanders wouldprobablyswim
as an alternate on this team.
Michigan's strength lies in the team's
depth and balance. Some teams pos-
sess strong swimmers but if the talent
is not spread out they won't stack up to
NCAA contenders.
"(Balance) is what it takes to finish
in the top three," said coach Jim
Richardson. "You just can't have a
weak area."
TheWolverinespossess an All-Ameri-
can inujust about every event. Think of it
as(lhris Webberplayingalongside Grant
I 1ill and Bobby HBurley in college.
Michigan's top swimmers are not
necessarily its most experienced. While
co-captains Beth Jackson and Megan
Gillam provide senior leadership and
three years of NCAA experience,
sophomore Talor Bendel could per-
haps be the teams most talented ath-
lete. Bendel was an NCAA champion
as a freshman, swimming in the 400-
mettr medley relay. In addition,
Stephtnie Morey was an All-Ameri-
can in the 800 freestyle relay as a
freshman.
Inclided in the Wolverines' long list
of' AIl-Americans are juniors Rachel
Gustin, Anne Kampfe and Melisa Stone.
As a sophomore, Gustin was a NCAA
champion as a member of the 400 relay
team. Kampfe finished third at NCAAs
in the 40 }individual medley and Stone
holds the record for the fastest time in the
200 freestyle at the Big Ten Champion-
ships.
Gillam also was a member of the
championship relay team. She is also
the team's best in the sprint freestyles,
holding a Big Ten record in the 200
freestyle ielay.
Jackson is possibly the team's best
in the baickstroke. The senior fin-
ished second in last year's Big Ten
champioithips in the 100 backstroke.
Positiom by position, Michigan is
able to stalck up to almost any team in
the country. The Wolverines supple-
ment their balance with a great deal of
depth. Wilh the wealth of talent that
Richardscin has at his disposal, he is
able to substitute swimmers at will.
"We've got a long list of kids that
have had 4uccess on the NCAA level,"
Richardson said. "We're hoping that
those that are hurting a bit will heal and
the ones who are training well stay
healthy.."
Another-important ingredient forthis
team has been its training regimen.
The same schedule that was em-
ployed last season is being used this
year based on the Wolverines' recent
national success.
The program involves about four or
five months of in-pool and land work-
outs. Interspersed among the team's
practices have been meets about every
other week.
The team will compete tired against
a national powerhouse like Southern
Cal or Texas after a grueling week of
workouts. Tile rationale? To prepare
the team for its ultimate goal, the
postseason competition that includes
the Big Ten Championships and Na-
tionals.
"it seems to me that Michigan has
been training really well," said Southern
Methodist coach Steve Collins. "Their
times haven't been extremely fast but I
think they are right where they want to be
for this time of the year."
. Presumably, Richardson will have
the team where he wants them come
the NCAA Championship. However, it
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last year. Jacob should compete in the
300- and 500-meter freestyle, while
Tong should be a contender in the
sprint freestyle and backstroke..
"Stanford is always form idable ,,'.';
Schubert said. "Their coach, Richard
Quick always does a good job of
preparing them for the end of. the.
season."
However, some think that it cou;l'd
be Michigan's year.
1 think Michigan has to be dhp,
favorite," Schubert said. "They ie
al lybave a lot of depth and that's their'
strength. They still swim really vO
in the events that they aren't really
strong in."
l Women's National Rankings%
1. Stanford
2. Michigan
3. Southern Methodist
4. Texas
5. Arizona
6. Florida
7. Georgia
8. Southern Cal
9, Nebraska
10. UCLA
isn't apparent that winning a title 's
the only thing lie's concerned wi
"We're going to try to get out
athletes ready to race fast,
Richardson said when asked about
his top priority this -year. "We want,
to try to swim faster than we've
ever swum before."
Given the strength ofthis year's squad
and the closeness of last year's finish, it
could be that the team's goals, the
coach's priorities and the national spot
light just might coincide.
Is,
seeing them."
As for her future, Jackson real-
izes the limitations of a develop-.
ing a career around swimming, __
"My coach here really believes
that swimming isn't a sport like
football where you are gonn10
make a million dollars," Jaeksor"
said. "Coming here, your educa
tion is the most important thi T
This year, I have backed of ,
little from academics."
Richardson believes her abilit-,a
to blend into different environ,,
ments, her great work ethic, anq
tremendous focus will lead to.he
eventual success in whatever ca
reer she pursues.
The tremendous emphasis on timt.
management is a necessity in or ----
to juggle all of the numerous activ
ties that she participates in. IM,,
Jackson operates like clockwOrka
she never misses a beep.
"Mentally, you have to be ver,
strong. It's not an easy spur;
You have to get up at 5:30 in th.,
morning three or four mornings
week, and go to school all da,1
and then back again."
Beep!!! As Beth takes a glanc--
at her watch, she realizes that ii,
time to move on.
Beth Jackson: Senior ...
Backstroke/Butterfly ... All-
American ... Two-time Big Ten
Champion ... Silver Medal in 200-
meter backstroke at 1995 World
University Games... Academic All-
Big Ten ... Co-captain
JACKSON
Continued from page lb
Like a chameleon, Beth Jackson
plays a variety of roles and adjusts
to the environment accordingly. For
example, she joined the Kappa
Kappa Gamma sorority to balance
her social life and recharge her bat-
tery.
On a Thursday night, Jackson's
watch alarm beeps at 8 p.m. OtIer-
wise she might have been so busy
that she would forgot to tune-in to
NBC to watch some of her favoriite
television shows. "Friends" is good.
"E.R." is her personal favorite.,
Other times, Jackson rents mpv-
ies and eats microwaveable pop-
corn. Calling Beth Jackson well-
rounded is an understatement.
The swimmer's career began at
age 3, when she decided that she
wanted to imitate her brother vyho
was already a swimmer. By 12,
Jackson was swimming for the
YMCA. After starting swimming
lessons, she was offered a posittion
on the swim team and began sv4m-
ming backstroke because it was the
one stroke where she could keep
her head above water.
At an early age, however, Jackson's
decision to concentrate her time. on
swimming wasn't nearly as evident.
She had an unusual ability to exc# at
number of sports.
"I never really got serious about
._ 7
ging injury right up to the Ohio
state finals in March of 1991.
"When I won the high school
states junior year, I had broken my
wrist. I was not supposed to win.
The season was very special. I did
the best that I could.,,
Currently, she is swimming in-
jury-free and looks forward to the
Big Three of swimming: The Big
Ten Championships in February,
the Olympic Trials in March, and
the NCAA Tournament in Ann Ar-
bor later that month.
The different networks and so-
cial support have become key in
Jackson's success. She gives credit
to her teammates for challenging
her in practice, which ultimately
makes her a better swimmer.
"There is a wonderful group of
backstrokers here that I've trained
with, " Jackson said. "We are cheer-
ing each other on, but we are racing
each other too. It is a very good
combination."
Family also remains a crucial el-
ement of providing Jackson with a
foundation and support system for
her balancing act.
Her brother sparked her initial
interest in swimming and remains a
close friend to this day. Both her
father and brother are chemical en-
gineers.
"We have become very close
Anne Kampfe: Junior ... Intermediate
Medley/Butterfly/Freestyle ... Two-
time All-American ... Big Ten
Champion
JUDITH PERKINS/Daily
I wi11 see on the scoreboard," .tack-
son said. "When I hear Take your
extremely hot conditions. It's a
testimony to her ability to focus
. -A-i" n '";+,,nf;-n that Ch, rn~lAnt
fe .. _? J ..'