'' A Arrn tdEtasn~ l CAPS
COLLEGE temple at
BASKETBALL (24) U. MASS, inc.
*(21) Iowa 79, PRO
WISCONSIN 76 BASKETBALL
(nr) South Carolina at Phoenix 110,
VANDERBILT, inc. TORONTO 105
(15) W. VIRGINIA 90, CHARLOTTE 93
Pittsburgh 72 Boston 89
(23) RHODE ISLAND 94 Vancouver at
St' Joseph's 76 HOUSTON, inc.
ORLANDO 91,
Atlanta 90
PRO
HOCKEY
Detroit 1,
FLORIDA 1
LA Kings at
CALGARY, inc.
Chicago at
PHOENIX, inc.
Ulbe Siclulia JdT
Tracing 'MI teams
The Michigan men's basketball team hosts
Northwestern tomorrow night. Read all about it in
Daily Sports tomorrow.
Wednesday
February 4, 1998
9
JEschmeyer back
on feet for 'Cats
The pain in Evan Eschmeyer's foot would not subside.
Four years ago, he would dress with his teammates, grit
his teeth and return to the battleground for another ago-
nizing trip up and down the floor.
As the ache grew stronger, the coaches, the doctors, the
k iners - they all said: "Keep going, it'll go away." But pain
as insufficient for these medical men and physical evidence
was required to prove the injury's severity.
When the bones in his foot swirled around as he stood still,
Eschmeyer began to worry. His feet, so finely tuned just a few
months earlier, had reached the point of no return and his bas-
ketball career was ready to follow suit.
So he visited the doctor, who diagnosed tendinitis and a
stress fracture.
"It was a very frustrating time," Eschmeyer said. "The first
year was really tough because I was
fresh out of high school and really
gung-ho about the (college) thing. You
have to keep that hope that you're going
t to go back and play again."
That attitude would prove crucial as
Eschmeyer began the road to recovery.
MARK Under then-coach Ricky Byrdsong's
rock-hard regime, little went as planned
SNYDER and even injuries were uncertain.
Mark My The center's next visit to the doctor
Words - with the same foot problem as
before - brought about a different
9agnosis. The tendinitis became a nerve problem and
Eschmeyer's season ended in an instant - but only at his
request.
"I told them, 'this is it, it hurts too much,"' he said.
The Northwestern athletic curse raged on and Eschmeyer
was trapped in a situation he didn't deserve.
After surgery and a year of rehab in which Eschmeyer's
hunger to compete grew ever larger, Byrdsong forced the cen-
ter back onto the court in the fall of 1994, Eschmeyer's second
season at the school.
Once again, no dice.
Too much pain overrode his system and what would have
been his sophomore season became another wash with anoth-
er surgery. His dreams remained locked away.
The adjustment would take time and Eschmeyer knew it.
The third season's attempt to play for the Wildcats - his
junior year academically - proved successful, as he compiled
solid numbers, improving as the seaosn progressed.
Then, last season, he broke through, finishing among the
conference leaders in three categories, and was named just the
eighth first-team all-Big Ten player in the school's long and
~mal hoops history.
Fast forward to today.
As he stands before tomorrow night's game against
Michigan - strong in body as well as spirit -- he can take
solace in individual victories as he stands on the verge of his-
tory.
Eschmeyer is bidding to join Glenn Robinson as the only
other single-season conference leader in both points and
rebounds in the past 20 years. He is in impressive company,
for sure, but Eschmeyer's goals are true to his story.
"It's a great thing, but we also have (just) one win in the
nlerence - which isn't a great feat," he said. "That's more
where my concerns lie at this point."
And so, trying to keep his head above the sinking ship, he
tries to contribute however he can.
On Saturday, Eschmeyer nearly carried the Wildcats to vic-
tory over first-place Michigan State by himself. But around
Evanston, his dominance is hardly unusual. While he pours in
21.9 points per game, Northwestern's second-leading scorer,
Sean Wink, resides a significant nine points behind.
"Trying to make the best of Northwestern's 1-7 conference
record, Eschmeyer muddles along. All the while, he's petition-
ing the NCAA for a special-clause sixth year of eligibility
Ocause, despite the horrible records and turnovers in coaches
4aid athletic administrations, he is the constant on the campus.
Next season will mark the sixth fall in which Eschmeyer has
watched the leaves drop around Lake Michigan, and then -
finally - it will be time to depart the campus where he has
spent so much time.
"I've seen a lot of things that have come and gone in my
five years," he said. "I've outlasted two ADs and three coach-
es. I do feel like an old man sometimes."
But true to his everlasting optimism. Eschmeyer has turned
extra time into a positive.
U"It's a lot of experience and I still believe that this program
-- this team - can win," he said, "That's the hardest thing
that I find. We don't have a lot of talent, but we have enough
talent to win. Next year we have a chance to do real things.
aI think we can win four or five games."
Finally, after five years, Eschmeyer has learned the way of
the Wildcats - keep your goals realistic.
- Mark Snyder can he reached via e-mail at
mnsnvder&urnich.edu.
Do you know sports?
Nead the Daily for the
information that you
really NEED to know.
M'
wrestlers prepare
to take on rival State
By Jordan Field
Daily Spor ts Writer
There's nothing better than a backyard brawl
- especially when both teams are nationally
ranked. The No. 12 Michigan wrestling team
will travel to East Lansing tonight to battle
intrastate rival No. 9 Michigan State.
"We have a nice rivalry with them -- this is
for the pride of the state," Michigan coach
Dale Bahr said. "I think everyone gets excited
for a match like this. We' e had a good w eek of
practice and this is what it's all about. It %till be
fun and we are excited about it."
Fun, however, may not be the appropriate
word. Michigan State boasts four ranked
starters, including senior David Morgan, who
is ranked No. 1 in the country at 118 pounds.
In the other corner. Michigan starts six ranked
wrestlers - creating the potential for a heated
dual meet.
"Morgan is outstanding, no question," Bahr
said. "But we have some guys who are great as
well and will be heavily favored at their
weight."
Michigan junior Chris Viola, who is ranked
No. 16. will face Morgan, but Viola is not
intimidated at all by Morgan's ranking.
"On paper, I give him all the credit in the
world," Viola said. "But when we get out there,
it's just two guys that want to win. I don't see
him any different than anyone else. I've never
gone out just trying to keep it close - when I
wrestle I always want to win regardless of who
my opponent is."
The next two weight classes will also feature
two ranked opponents. At 1 26, eighth-ranked
Pat McNamara of Michigan State will face
Michigan's 14th-ranked Joe Warren. And at
134 pounds, No. 18 Isaac Miller will battle
with Michigan's Damion Logan, ranked No.
20.
If the Wolverines can escape from the first
three rounds with some points on the board,
they can begin to feel confident. Michigan
State does not field a ranked opponent until
No. 10 Will Hill at the 167 weight class --and
even then the Wolverines can remain confi-
dent.
At the 167 weight class, Michigan starts No.
3 Jeff Catrabone, who just returned from
Buffalo where he and teammate Airroh
Richardson competed in the Coachs' All Star
Classic.
"My guy is no slouch, and this is a match
that I need to be careful," Catrabone said. "But
I'm always confident and hopefully with the
intensity of the match and rivalry, I'll come
through with a win for us."
Aside from the matches that feature ranked
wrestlers, Bahr is focusing on the "toss-up"
weight classes. These matches - 142 and 177,
for example - could mean the difference in
the match.
"I believe that the team that wins two of
three between the 126, 142 and 177 weight
classes will win the match," Bahr said.
The 177 match, specifically, could be a
major factor in the meet, as Michigan's Joe
Degain will face Michigan State's James
Brimm. Brimm is 0-11 on the season, and a
win in this class could put the Wolverines in a
good position and help build Degain's confi-
dence.
At 190, neither wrestler is ranked. At heavy-
weight, Michigan's Richardson is ranked No. 2
in the nation.
"DeGain has struggled a little this year, but
this match could be great for him," Bahr said.
"Grimm has struggled even more, and I think
he has probably lost some confidence through-
out the season. If Joe can get a win here then
we can hopefully leave with a win with Airron
finishing it out."
Michigan hopes that after a week and a half
without competition, the team will come out
fresh against Michigan State and again this
weekend at home against No. 10 Purdue and
Ohio State.
"We have had very good practices, arid I
think everyone is ready for this week. We know
FILE PHOTO
Michigan 118-pounder Chris Viola and his 12th-ranked wrestling teammates are
preparing for a battle with the No. 9 Spartans tonight in East Lansing. Last year,
the Wolverines upset Michigan State at Jenison Field House.
Tonight's meet include Michigan State's eighth-ranked Pat
Who: Michigan at Michigan State McNamara (126 pounds) against 4th-ranked
Where: Jenison Field House Joe Warren, while at 134 pounds, Michigan
When: 7:30 p.m. State's No. 18 Issac Miller will batle No. 20
Notables: The 12th-tanked Wolverines will face Danion Logan. Also at 167 poundsMichigan's
No. 9 Michig an State for the p~ire of the state. No. 3 All-American, Jeff'Catrabone., will face
Each team features several ranked wrestlers. At Michigan State's No. 10 Will Hill.
1I8 pounds, Michigan's Chris Viola will face
No. I David Morgan. Other showcase matches
Men's senior tankers conclude home careers
Laskowski, von Richter, Buyunkuncu, Papa and Williams say sweet farewell to Canham
By Jacob R. Wheeler They'vef
Daily Spoits Writer could give
There won't be a lot of glamour or cele- Last y
bration at Canham Natatorium this Friday, points of
even though the seniors on the Michigan conferenc
swimming team will say goodbye to its was a dee
friendly confines for the last time. squad.
The Wolverines will take on a considerably Ohio S
weaker Michigan State team and could very advantag
well win every event for the second meet in a depth. 01
row. most oth
But there won't be any champagne show- schools c
ers. Michigan has to get on a bus early ters of 2
Saturday morning and travel to Columbus for for the dt
what could be a more than just a day in the season. B
pool. The matchup with Ohio State is the Title IX a
Wolverines' last before the Big Ten on Mich
Championships three weeks later. the Wo]
"This is the last chance for us to establish only 26 d
time standards before the Big Ten "It mad
Championships," Michigan coach Jon champion
Urbanchek said. "So I think we're going to swimmer
see some pretty good swims. win it wii
"But we cannot overlook Ohio State. Urban
If you love the Daily,
then we love you. Come
feel the love. Wrte for
Daily Sports.
got a real good lineup and they
e us a tough time down there."
ear the Buckeyes came within I l
handing the Wolverines their first
ce loss since 1989 - and last year's
points, either. Ohio State should dominate a
weak group of Wolverines on the spring-
board. The only Michigan diver who scored
last week was Brett Wilmot, who won the
one-meter event and took second place in the
three.
per Michigan
tate's biggest
e might be its
hio State and
her Big Ten
arry full ros-
28 swimmers
uration of the
ut because of
and its impact
igan sports;
lverines are
eep.
Friday's meet
Who: Michigan vs.Michigan State
Where: Canham Natatorium
When: 7:00 p.m.
Notables: Last home meet for Michigan's seniors.
Saturday's meet
Who: Michigan at Ohio State
Where: Columbus
When: 1 pin.
Notables: A rematch of Michigan's narrow
victory over the Buckeyes last year, 146.5-135.
As usual Michigan
boasts the best swim-
mers in the conference
- and those with inter-
national experience
should be the favorites.
Senior Owen von
Richter and junior Tom
Malchow are on fire.
The veterans won two
events in each of their
last two meets and nei-
ther one shows any signs
down," senior Ryan Papa said. "They're
doing less work, preparing for the Big Ten
Championships. But others are still doing th6
heavy work."
Papa also came away with two victories
against the Hoosiers. He expects to do the
same in his final home meet at Michigan
along with fellow seniors Derya Buyukuncu,
Steven Williams and captains von Richter
and Chris Laskowski. Their good-byes wilI
be casual, though. They won't walk out on s
carpet of flowers.
"This is the last chance for our seniors to
represent Michigan here at home,"
Urbanchek said. "But as far as ceremonies
go, we just introduce them.
"Because of NCAA regulations, I don't
even think we can give them anything other
than a handshake. At one time we were able
to give them a T-shirt or a ball-point pen with
'Michigan' written on it.
"The guy's been here for years and won all
these medals for you and all you can say s,
'Thanks Tom, here's a handshake, see ya "
kes it tougher - especially at the
ship - to win meets with less
s," Urbanchek said. "We have to
th performances at the top."
chek can't rely on many diving
of slowing.
Malchow and von Richter continue to
work at full strength, but some other
Wolverines have slowed their pace a bit.
"Some of the guys have started to taper
U I
4 LIKE
NORTH
CAMPUS?
YOU'LL
st 01aRY
hiring for th
Feb. 5th. Sc
Don't pa
GLaCieR
fatiofRaL PaR
montana
LODG 6 Res Rt, Glacier Park's finest now
e 1998 summer season. We will be on campus Thursday,
hedule an interview by calling 1-800-368-3689.
ss up the opportunity of a lifetime!
Cadet Kevin Janicki
Junior, College of Engineering
2 year scholarship recipient
ARMY ROTC SALUTES OUR
CVLulT Pn u QTTPUrruI1I'
Dru~lwAl. AufINnayn