12 - The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, November 13, 1996 Inconsistency plagued 'M' sticker, Rookie coaches encouraged by play of Wolverines in close contests By Pranay Reddy Daily Sports Writer Like most years, players on the Michigan field hockey team had a lot to learn about themselves heading into the season. Who thought the coaches would, too? Michigan coach Marcia Pankratz entered the season with no previous head coaching experience, having only served as an assistant coach at North Carolina from 1988-91. Assistants Tracey Fuchs and Peggy Storrar came into the season with no prior coaching experience at all. However, the collective lack of coaching experience was countered by the threesome's tremendous experience as players. All had pre- viously competed at an international level, including Olympic appearances for Pankratz and Fuchs this past summer. Nevertheless, all the playing experience in the world couldn't have completely prepared the coaches for their first season in the Big Ten. "I learned that in the transition from player to coach, a lot of things are out of your con- trol," Pankratz said. And being on the sidelines definitely impairs one's ability to influence the outcome of a contest, as Pankratz found out quickly. "Even though you might outplay a team, or on paper you are supposed to be better - sometimes it doesn't work out that way." Throughout Michigan's up-and-down sea- son, a lot of things didn't work out Pankratz's way. The Wolverines ended their most recent campaign last in the Big Ten with a 2-8 con- ference record and an overall 7-10 clip. Michigan then bowed out of the Big Ten tour- nament in the first round, dropping a 4-1 con- test to Penn State. It was a disappointing season for many, but for the Wolverines, it was a stage in the learn- ing process. With a new coaching staff, a young team and a difficult Big Ten schedule, Michigan was bound to be in for a long sea- son. But it wasn't all bad times for the Wolverines, as Pankratz is quick to point out. "We had lots of really great high points,", she said. "We had some really exciting games that ended in the last couple of minutes." The Wolverines had their share of losses, but they were competitive in the majority of their games. Michigan's record didn't reflect its competitiveness in one-goal defeats at the hands of Michigan State, Ohio State and Northwestern, to name a few. But for a team with few senior leaders, Michigan circled the wagons like a group of seasoned veterans. Following a number of dif- ficult losses, the Wolverines were able to pull off a 3-2 upset of Ohio State, vaulting the squad to a No. 18 national ranking. "(Our) game against Ohio State was a real culminating moment, when we scored in the last 40 seconds against the No. 9 team in the country," Pankratz said. Michigan's will in that game was a testa- ment to the dedication of Pankratz's seniors, in her eyes. The four Michigan seniors, Michelle Smulders, Bree Derr, Selina Harris and The tem really played off the character of the seniors. " - Marcia Pankratz Michigan field hockey coach Meredith Franden, all had spectacular seasons and spearheaded Michigan's efforts through- out the season. "Our seniors have been unbelievable," s said. "They are really terrific girls mature, responsible, hardworking, dedicated group. "The team really played off the character of the seniors." But with the departure of the core of her squad, Pankratz realizes the importance of the next few months - for a couple reasons. "We are in the middle of recruiting," she said. "So it is important to try and fill those seniors' shoes with some excellent players." In addition to recruiting, Fuchs will b working with players individually during the offseason. Training with one of the world's- best players is what Pankratz hopes will drive next season's improvements. "She is going to really improve our funda- mentals, and hopefully we will learn to com- pete at a higher level." JOE WESTRATE/Daily This season was a learning experience for Michigan field hockey players and coaches alike. Despite struggling in the win-loss department, the Wolverines stayed competitive in most of their matches. 00, WHITE Continued from Page 11 going to do it now," Tepper said. "I wish every coach could have an AD like Ron. "I disagree with his decision, but have great respect for him." What makes Tepper's firing tough is that it happened to a man that cleaned up lllinois' program. When he took over from forme coach Mike White, the Fighting I lliiT were in trouble with the NCAA and the police, and they weren't graduating a whole lot of players. Today, there is no trouble, and grad- uation rates are up. So does it simply come down to wins and losses these days? "It absolutely does," Northwestern coach Gary Barnett said. "Why else would you fire Lou Tepper, Jim Wacker and Bill Mallory?" 0 As funny as it sounds, Barnett's suc- cess may have something to do with what has happened the past couple of weeks. Before the season began, coaches talked about how Northwestern's suc- cess last season gave the lower-level echelon of the Big Ten hope. It may have given them too many expectations. "Yeah, that dirty Barnett," Wacke* wise-cracked. "Wait until I see him again." At least he's kept his sense of humor, if not his job. Tepper said he would love to coach again, and he turned down an adminis- tration job in the Illinois athletic department. He even said he would love to coach with Wacker. "I always told him that if we could get his offensive philosophy togethe with my defensive philosophy, we might win a national championship," Tepper said. Wherever the two end up, it is sure to be a good move by the team that hires them. Despite what Wacker said, he probably didn't give himself enough time at Minnesota, and Tepper felt he was headed in the right direction at Illinois. There are now four job openings ir* the Big Ten, and what that means for. the conference is anybody's guess, but chances are it puts a little more pres- sure on the seven employed head coaches. -.Ryan White can be reached over e-mail at target@umich.edu. < .:' .. x .;.. . .. :. . z zfr.; ..:.. .:: jZ }4, K 4 x } ::Zv::: S',r}'v: e caflPanHuste? Before you join a new health plan or IMO, think about the choices you'll be left with. Will your doctors be top-of-the-line, and close to home' Can they help you deliver a healthy babv...in the hospital of your choice WVhat options will ou have for children's specialty care, emergency services or even cancer treatment? Don't be left out of quality health care. Choose one of the many health plans now accepted by the U1-M health System. You'll win access to world-class medical care and day-to-day health services at any of 30 easy-to-find health centers. Now that's something vou can really feel good about. RITCHLIN Continued from Page 11 Botterill, who."didn't miss one day" visiting Ritchhn in the hospital. When Ritchlin entered the hospital, he weighed 200 pounds. When he left, the scale read 155. "Three and a half weeks of eating lots of Jello," he said. It took him a couple of weeks to get back his fluids, to eat normally, and to learn how to walk again. He stayed in Ann Arbor all summer for therapy. He worked four hours a d with upper-and lower-body routines. Michigan coach Red Berenson was thrilled with Ritchlin's rehabilitation, but he feels he is not yet in his groove. Berenson is expecting more from him. "In terms of working hard and rehab- --- I - - 1 1 e^ n r.2+ik