I The Michigan Daily - Friday, January 23, 1998 - 11 Shakespeare at home around world By Uma Subramanian Da sport \ fter The Olympic Games are the ultimate goal in any amateur sport. Only three Michigan women's swimmers have rep- resented their native countries at the prestigious event. Sophomore Shannon Shakepe are is the most recent Wolverine to accomplish this feat. Besides the Olympic Games, Shakespeare has other international experience. The quadrennial World Championships, the second-most important meet in international swim- ming, is the latest addition to Shakespeare's impressive resume. Last week, the World Championships were held in Perth, Australia. Shakespeare, swimming for her native Canada, was the only Michigan swim- mer entered in the meet. Shakespeare put on an impressive performance in the tournament, placing 10th in the 100 freestyle with a time of 56.30. Prior to the meet, Shakespeare was No. 16 in the world in that event. "I did pretty well in the meet," Shakespeare said. "It was a great expe- rience for me to compete on such a level. I definitely improved and that was a good feeling. "The Worlds are generally faster than the Olympics, so it was very tough competition. It was really neat because there were 120 countries there. It was a fun and different environment because you weren't just swimming against peo- ple from one countrv." For Shakespeare, the Olympics and the World Championships are a dream come true - a dream that has been a long time in the making. Shakespeare, a Winnipeg. Mnitoba native, began swimming comn petit!ixely at age four, with her father coaching her along. "I watched my brother swim when I was really young, and tell completey in love with the water:' Shakespeare said. Motivation, work ethic and raw talent distinguish world-class athletes. But Shakespeare is in a class of her own, according to Michigan women's sw im- ming coach Jim Richardson. "She's one of the most unique world- class athletes I have ever met," Richardson said. "Shannon is a very, very gifted swimmer, but she's very humble, unassuming and compassion- ate. If you were to meet her, I don't think you'd ever get the impression that she is a world-class athlete." The sacrifices Shakespeare makes to compete internationally are evident in her winter training schedule: She spent a rigorous winter break training session with the Michigan swimming team in Hawaii and 23 days in Australia with the Canadian national team prior to the World Championships. Shakespeare credits her motivation to a true love for the sport. She also credits her brother for being her inspi- ration. "I used to watch my brother swim ... and h swaLm all through high school Ind college ' Shakespeare said. "While he never competed much on the inter- national level, he always swam with heart and drive. He's now my biggest supporter She said she also credits Michigan s team atmosphere, which she says mink s swimming fun, to fueling her drive. Shakespeare said she enjoys the N AA competition because it is simi- lar to what she experiences on the inter- national level; many international Olympians swim for college teams. In the future, Shakespeare dreamts of returning to Australia for the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. In the meantime, she's looking torward to swimming for Michigan for the next 2 1/2 years. "I think she contributes a great team attitude; she's willing to do whatever is best for the team by swimming a vari- ety of events" said Richardson. "You couldn't ask for any more." Shakespeare said she couldn't have asked for any more than what she has gotten out of her swimming experi- ences. "I just really like the fact that through swimming I have grown as a person," Shakespeare said. "You learn a lot about yourself, and it's a great way to find out who you are and explore other cultures. "But above all it allowed me to find my place. MARGARET MYERS/Daily Seven-time All-American Shannon Shakespeare has five Big Ten titles to go along with her Impressive International resum6 - a fesum6 she'll try to expand at the 2000 Olympics. Shannon Shakespeare's International File Member of 1996 Canadian Olympic Team 2 17th place, 100-meter freestyle 0 seventh place, 440 freestyle 9 fifth place, 800 freestyle relay 3 fifth place, 400 medley relay Captain -1997 Canadian Pan-Pacific Championship silver medal, 400 freestyle relay N silver medal, 800 freestyle relay Super Bowl *to feature efense, too SAN DIEGO (AP) --- The biggest crowds at Super Bowl interview ses- sions have surrounded Brett Favre and John Elway, Terrell Davis and Dorsey Levees, Antonio Freeman and Shannon Sharpe. The defensive players get attention, too, but nowhere near as much as the guys who do the scoring. Hey, even Reggie White wasn't engulfed by cam- eras, microphones and notebooks every single minute. Perhaps the focus on offensive play- ers is natural. The Broncos, after all, averaged 29.5 points a game in leading the league. The Packers scored 26.4 to top the NFC. Yet when Favre, the NFLs three-time most valuable player, was asked what will make the difference Sunday, he didn't hesitate. "Defense," the Packers quarterback said. "Pure and simple, whichever defense makes more stops. Defense does win championships:' Want to find out the results of the Michigan- Miami hockey games? Read SPORTSMonday Attention Jewish Undergraduates from the ii Take the Plunge Try Color! 1 t wr + 1 I i-.--- Attention Jewish Undergraduates from the Cleveland area: Do you have your summer job lined up? 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