TRACK AND FIELD The Michigan Daily - SPORTSMond
Hariers dominate opposition at olo
ay - Monday, April 8, 1996 - 7
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Cold, rainy conditions prove no
obstacle for men in 11-point win
Women run roughshod over field
taking first by 17-point margin
r
SBy Km Hart
Daily Sports Writer
The colors of the wind were maize
and blue in Williamsburg, Va., as the
Michigan men's track team captured
first place at the Colonial Relays.
The Wolverines paced the field with
42 points. Seton Hall followed in sec-
ond with 31 points, Virginia Com-
monwealth in third with 26, Rutgers
in fourth with 24, and Eastern Ken-
*tucky in fifth with 22 points.
Again, the weather was not the best
for the Wolverines, but despite the
cold and rainy conditions, the team
prevailed. The relay teams and sev-
eral individuals had strong perfor-
mances for their first outdoor meet.
The 4 x 200-meter relay team of
'Andy Schoelch,
'Kevin Bowman,
*Jeff Wood and The
Brian Renaldi fin-
ished in fifth place Wsn
in Friday's race.
The distance med-
ley relay team fin- be
,ished a respectable
seventh with a time
-of 1020.53 and the
sprint medley team
gavp the Wolver-
ines a boost by fin- --
*ishing fourth, a Michigar
mere 4.63 seconds
behind the first place team, Virginia
Commonwealth.
The 4 x 400 team kicked Saturday
off by finishing in second place. The
team. consisting of Bowman,
Scholech, Edzra Gibson and Damon
DeVasher clocked in at 42.86 sec-
onds'just behind Nebraska.
The 4 x 1,500 team (Cory Brown,
Jeff Beuche, Don McLaughlin and
John Mortimer) followed suit by run-
ning away with second place with a
m
Qi
q'
i1
time of 16:05.1.
The highlight of the events was the
final event of the weekend, the 4 x
400 championships. The Michigan
team of Wood, Renaldi, Todd
Burnham and Trinity Townsend fin-
ished in first place at 3:13.5, two sec-
onds ahead of second-place Buffalo.
"The competition wasn't quite what
we expected because of the running
conditions," Burnham said. "We were
pleased because everybody put forth
an effort that was expected to win the
meet."
This weekend was also a high time
for several Wolverines competing in
the individual events as well.
Neil Gardner had superb weekend
by clinching first place in two events.
The Jamaica na-
tive won the 400
petiiion hurdles (51.18)
and the 110
hurdles (14.24)
expectedeven though he
has a strong dis-
ise of the like for cold
weather.
runnng Brian Wildfong
had abig day in the
e t n ?men's field events.
He finished in sec-
Todd Burnham ond place in the
track and field shot put with a
throw of 49-feet-
11 1/2 inches and came back later Satur-
day afternoon to win the discus contest
with a toss of 159-feet-7.
Other individual Wolverine finish-
ers were Stan Johanning, fourth in the
javelin, and John Mortimer fifth in the
3,000 steeplechase with a time of
9:06.9.
The weather was truly disturbing for
Jon Royce and Damon DeVasher be-
cause, just like last weekend, the high-
jump contest was canceled.
By Jeremy Horelick
Daily Sports Writer
Everywhere the Michigan women's
track team went, rain was sure to follow.
For the second time in as many weeks
nature proved the biggest hurdle for the
Wolverines. However, this time, the com-
petition continued through the rain and
cold as Michigan ran off with a first-place
finish at the Colonial Relays in
Williamsburg, Va.
With its 49-point performance, Michi-
gan sat high and dry above second-place
Seton Hall, which finished a distant 17
points back. James Madison grabbed third
with 29 points, and Mount St. Mary's and
Norfolk State rounded out the top five
with 27 and 26 points, respectively.
"The weekend was pretty cold and
rainy," Michigan coach James Henry said.
"But we did get the chance to compete."
Between numerous periods of rain,
Michigan managed several outstanding
performances.
Senior high jumper Monika Black
cleared the bar at 5-feet- 111/2 en route to
the Athlete of the Meet award. Second-
placefinisher, Buffalo's Shelly Hamilton,
finished a full two inches behind Black at
5-feet-9 1/2.
"I think it was a really good meet,"
Black said. "It was more of a confidence
building meet. We all stood out in the rain
and supported each other."
One athlete who benefited from such
support was sophomore Tania Longe.
Her teammates helped cheer her along to
a first-place crown in the 100-meter
hurdles with a time of 14.65. In addition,
Longe took fourth in the long jump with
a leap of 17-feet-11.
Junior Jen Barber crossed the finish
line in 4:42.8, earning first place in the
open 1500. Sophomore teammate Mara
Guillemette followed closely behind with
a third-place time of 4:53.0.
After an impressive indoor season,
freshman Sarah Hamilton extended hep
excellence to the outdoor turf, winn iri
the frosh 1500 in 4:43.1.
Other athletes turning in stellar indo
vidual performances over the weekeno
included senior Tearza Johnson, who
blazed her way to the gold with a 12.45 it
the 100. With outstanding efforts frori
freshmen of Atiya Bussey (12.75) an
Rachel Edwards (I2]3). the Wolverinep
completed a 1-2-; sweep in the event..
Michigan'.; ame mi
turning in F s, m I i i
the shot put. Foi n c&'or riel
ship of Jayna GrifC r -K - -y
men Stephan ic Wi ' .s m eunh
tied forsecond with& h \ j
4. Wigness also won the discus Witnas
of 147-feet-1.r
Sophomore Michel i1er fnished
fifth in the open 3000 at 1 0:0 while
sophomore Tiffin Godan pled ses
enth overall in the open 5000 (1 16.2$
The Wolverines complemented the
numerous solid individual performance
with a strong team effort as well, captur-
ing first in the 4 x 400 relay. Hamilton,
along with junior Lamika Harper, fresh.
man Angie Stanifer And sophomofe
Brandy 1 Tlor teamed for a 3:55.8 run.
In the 4 x 800. \Mhiani received a
strong effort from Sta n ifr. who. al oiig
with 1ab3coc k,sl' and Ieshmam Katie
McGregor. took O ra in t)04iJ.
"Our kids we; o h 'higan as-
sistant Mike Mct urr s' "Thev did a
nice job considerina the conditions."
"It was raining and it was freezing,"
Longe said. "We just tried to keep our
clothes dry."
This week the Wolverines trek to Knox-
ville.Tenn., and Ohio, where they hopeto
dry out after a raiy week that led to
canceled events and frutration.
"W:i've had two weeks of bad weather~
Henry said. "t wasn't the conditions we
were looking for."
TONYA BROAD/Daily
Tearza Johnson's time of 12.45 in the 100 meters was good enough for first place
and helped lead the Wolverines to victory at the Colonial Relays In Williamsburg,
Va., this weekend.
Continued from Page 11
The NCAA determines who goes to regionals today.
"The selection reaches pretty low into the individual qualifi-
ers, so our three hopefuls have a good chance," Darden said.
Also contributing for Michigan were sophomore Justin
Semion, junior Edwin Ledgard and sophomore Tim Lauring.
Semion scored season bests on floor exercise (9.3) and rings
(8.15), Ledgard on the rings (9.05) and high bar (8.95) and
Lauring on rings (9.1), as well.
Western Michigan, which finished second at 220.35, com-
peted in its last meet, not of the season, but forever. Or at least
until the powers that be decide to resurrect the program.
"(Western Michigan) went through the year trying to get the
program reinstated like we did a couple years ago," Darden said.
"Our guys were sympathetic to their problem."
The top performer for the Broncos was Jeff Kraft. He not only
tied for the top spot on the high bar, he also scored an amazing
9.9 on the pommel horse.
Although Michigan State was using this meet as a tune-up for
a probable team selection in the NCAA east regional, they
managed to sweep all six events and posted two Spartan team
records. The 38.55 on the rings and the 37.25 on the vault, along
with Joe Duda's 9.9 on the parallel bars and 57.5 in the all-
around are all Michigan State records.
The biggest "last" ofthe meet, for the Wolverines at least, was
the last meet for Darden as head coach. After 13 years, Darden
has decided to retire from coaching.
His announcement came two weeks ago.
"I looked forward to this meet with mixed emotions," Darden
said. "On one hand, I enjoyed the attitude of the gymnasts in
competition. There were a lot of personal highs.
"I'm happy that the team ended its season on an up-beat note."
A couple years ago, Darden had to deal with the same
situation that faced Western Michigan this year. His program
was in danger of being stripped of its varsity status, and several
scholarships were sacrificed in order to keep the program alive.
"We really felt the aftermath of the program being cut, this
year," Darden said. "With a little amount of luck, however, the
team will be able to turn itself around.
"I'm looking forward to hanging up that particular 'hat,' and
being a supporter of Michigan gymnastics," Darden added. "I'll
enjoy being apart from the competition, but I'll miss it as well."
Golfers fall victim to
cold in Columbus
By Jennifer Hodulik
Daily Sports Writer
The Michigan women's golf team
found itself in familiar surroundings this
weekend at the Lady Buckeye Invita-
tional in Columbus.
The Wolverines' home course has yet
to host a practice session due to the linger-
ing effects of the winter on the greens.
On asimilarnote, last weekend's sched-
uled 54-hole event was shortened to 36
due to poor weather conditions that have
confounded Michigan throughout its
spring season.
Michigan finished fifth in the event but
cited the frosty temperatures and snow as
factors in a disappointing effort.
"The conditions we played in were
really tough," Michigan's Sharon Park
said. "It took a lot of physical strain on us
- we could have played a lot better."
Arizona captured the meet title with a
final score of 629. Indiana, Ohio State and
Michigan State composed the top four.
The competitors at the tournament
played 28 to 30 holes before play was
suspended Saturday. The missed holes
were supposed to be made up on Sun-
day, but three morning delays forced
the event to conclude just six to eight
holes later, depending on the number
played by each individual the previous
afternoon.
The conditions were not only mentally
straining, but the already long 5,906-yard
course played longer.
"We didn't get up and down and we
didn't chip and putt well to save our
pars," Michigan coach Kathy Teichert
said. "Mentally we weren't into it."
Park shot an 85-80 - 165, which was
good for a 14th-place tie. She was fol-
lowed by senior captain Shannon
McDonald, who tied for 18th place with
a 79-87 - 166. Rounding out the Wol-
verines' scores were junior Wendy
Westfall (85-87- 172) in a tie for 33rd,
freshmen Sarah Lindholm (86-87--173,
tie for36th) and Katy Loy (89-85 - 174,
tie for 41st) and sophomore Laura Tzakis
(93-94-187, tie for 79th).
Indiana's Erika Wicoff earned medal-
ist honors in firing rounds of 76 and 75.
The Wolverines entered the week-
end with hopes of qualifying for their
first-ever NCAA regional tournament
birth.
But concerningtheir chances, itislikely
that the two selection committee mem-
bers in attendance will take under advis -
ment the extenuating circumstances ir-
volving playing conditions.
"What hurt us was that Michigan State
finished five strokes ahead of us," Michni-
gan coach Kathy Teichert said. "But (the
selection committee members) were there
and they knew about the weather. It's
hard to get into a good frame under the
circumstances."
Michigan will have two more chances
this season to show its strength: at the
Purdue Invitational next weekend and at
the Big Ten conference championship
April 26-28.
MARGARLI MYERS/Daily
coached his last meet for the Wolverines this weekend.
Michigan gymnastics coach Bob Darden
'M' volleyball spanks Eastern Michigan in
.straigh sets in rare Cliff Keen appearance
By Mark Snyder
Daily Sports Writer
How important is the atmosphere to a
team's performance?
If Saturday's match for the Michgan
men's'volleyball team is any indication, it
is vital.
For the first time this season, the Wol-
erines played in spacious Cliff Keen
Arena and their fans came out in support.
Michigan responded by rolling over East-
ern Michigan, 15-4, 15-8, 15-10.
The contest had a feeling of legitimacy
when the lineups were announced and
introductions were made prior to the
match. Each team lined up at its own side,
Rodriguez, Andy Spitser and Ted
Skolarus.
Eastern Michigan, clearly overpow-
ered by Michigan, dug a hole for itself
early in the first match.
Stilstra blocked a return by the Eagles
and gave the Wolverines a 1-0 lead on the
game's first play. The combination of
Reynolds and Stilstra's blocks allowed
Michigan to jump out to a 6-1 advantage.
The Wolverines increased their lead to
9-1 and Eastern called time-out, hoping
to catch its breath. The Eagles had com-
plained throughout the game about line
calls, interference at the net and referee's
decisions. This frustration was reflected
in frustration after a line call did not go in
their favor.
The Wolverines played much of the
match without Pothiraj, who has been
ailing with a twisted knee. Spitser, the
emotional court leader of squad, played
through pain to return serves and set the
ball for teammates.
He played with a soft cast, but was
suffering as he grimaced with each dig.
The game concluded with Rodriguez
making an unbelievable spike. As he fell
backwards, he swung his arm forward
completing the knockout kill.
The third and final game was a chance
for Michigan coach Kent Booker to
squad a chance to play.
And the game ended as the team would
have liked. In his last home match,
Reynolds got the final point to close out
the Eagles and his home career for the
Wolverines. It was a team effort, how-
ever, and the captain was quick to recog-
nize his teammates.
"(The win) was a product of our team
coming together. It's our last home match
so we tried to get everyone to play," he
said.
"Everybody played well the whole
match," he said. "Usually our lapse comes
at the wrong time. We get up around 12 or
13 and let them back in the match, and
-(ALf
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