I 14A - The Michigan Daily - Thursday, March 26, 1998 Same old spring story for men's golf team ... lousy weather N-1-Teasin' By Rick Harpster Daily Sports Writer After a couple weeks of battling the weather in Ann Arbor, the Michigan men's golf team heads to Dallas this weekend to compete in the Tanglewood Invitational. One concern for the Wolverines is that the chilly, rainy weather in Michigan recently has made it difficult to practice outdoors. "This week (the Tanglewood Invitational) is going to be a little tough on us," Michigan coach Jim Carras said. "We have not been able to practice outside since we got back from Fripp Island (S.C.)" Despite the lack of outdoor play this winter, Michigan followed a success- ful fall campaign with an eighth place finish in the Fripp Island Invitational during spring break. The 20-team event gave the Wolverines reason for optimism heading into this weekend. As he did throughout the fall, Mike Harris led the way in South Carolina by shooting a four-under par 209 (73- 69-67), which was good for a second- place finish. Harris, who won the Kroger Invitational in Memphis and the Persimmon Ridge Invitational in Louisville last fall, finished just three strokes behind Jacksonville's Ronald Groflin. The play of Mike Affeldt, who only qualified for one tournament during the fall season, was the most pleasant surprise of the 54-hole event. Affeldt finished fourth overall at Fripp Island when he carded rounds of 68-71-71 (210). Keith Hinton and Kevin Vernick, two of Michigan's steadiest players in the fall, struggled at times in South Carolina, posting scores of 220 (74- 71-75) and 225 (74-76-75), respective- ly. During the fall campaign, Harris, Vernick, and Hinton competed in all five tournaments for Michigan and gave Carras stability among his top three performers. But changes in the final two spots were as common as White House scan- dais. Affeldt, Mike Reabe, Scott Hayes, and Kevin Harris - Mike's brother - all competed in the fourth and fifth positions during the fall. Affeldt and Reabe are Carras' choic- es this week to travel with Harris, Vernick and Hinton to compete in the 54-hole event. But Carras hopes that two players will emerge and solidify these positions soon. "Every coach knows that you're only as good as your fourth and fifth men," he said. "Our success will depend on how the fourth and fifth men play." The Wolverines, who will play 36 holes on Saturday and 18 holes on Sunday, begin an important stretch this weekend. "Right now, we are a bubble team as far as making it into NCAA Regionals (May 14-16)," Carras said. "We are competing with four or five other schools for a spot. We really need to play well in the next three tourna ments:" Minnesota and Penn State will face each other in tonight's all-Big Ten NIT championship game. Penn State advanced by beating Georgia In the semi nals, and Minnesota beat Fresno State to get to the final. 40 AP PHOTO M' women's golf struggles in Florida v. vv Yet to be tested in Big Ten play, Michigan men's tennis visits Indiana Jon Zemke For the Daily When the Michigan women's golf team competed in the River Wilderness Invitational in Sarasota, Fla., at least the Wolverines could say it was warm. "We're looking forward to practic- ing outside now that the weather per- mits," Michigan coach Kathy Teichert said. Judging from the Wolverines' noor showings on Monday and Tuesday, they're in need of a little practice. The Wolverines placed 13th out of 15 teams in the invitational. Five of those teams were from the Big Ten, including the eventual winner of the tournament, Indiana (307-305-297 - 909). Michigan's top placer was Shannon Park, who tied for 38th place (82-78-81 --241). Park was a distant 20 strokes behind the top fin- isher, Michelle Hatfield of Indiana (76-74-71 - 221). Michigan senior captain Nicole Green finished sec- ond among Wolverines, tying for 49th place overall (83-83-80 - 247). "We didn't play as well as we would like to have played," Teiche said. "Our mental aspect of the game was not there. "We expected to place better afte: four meets." Michigan's squad is young, bu with a lot of potential, hopes to com- pete in the Big Ten this year. The Wolverines must overcome a few bumps in the road if they hope te find success - the first of tho being the Indiana Invitational, to held April 4-5 in Bloomington. "We are looking forward to our next invitational," Teichert said. By Drew Beaver Daily Sports Writer The Michigan men's tennis team has not given up a team point in Big Ten play this year. In fact, the Wolverines have not even lost a set in singles play. But then again, they have only played one Big Ten match. Their second is Sunday against Indiana in Bloomington. The Wolverines (1-0 Big Ten, 6-3 overall) travel to Indiana after taking Ohio State behind the woodshed last weekend, beating the Buckeyes 7-0. Michigan is currently ranked No. 37 by College Tennis Magazine. The Hoosiers themselves are 1-0 in the Big Ten. Surprisingly enough, they also beat Big Ten cellar- dweller Ohio State. Their win over the Buckeyes was not as convincing, however, as they took the match 4-3. With the present changes in weather, there is a good possibility Michigan will face the Hoosiers outdoors. "We desperately need to play more matches outside," Michigan head coach Brian Eisner said. In their last group of outdoor matches, the Wolverines experienced some success, reaching the finals of the Boise State Invitational in Oregon, March 12-14. The Wolverines were 2-1 in the tournament, with wins over Idaho and No. 33 Virginia Tech before the loss to Boise State in the finals. Because these matches were two weeks ago, and the Michigan weather has not been cooperative, the Wolverines will travel to Bloomington on Saturday to practice on the outdoor courts. Coming off a dominant win over Ohio State will not make the Wolverines overconfident, Eisner said. "We're trying to get everyone to expand their game, and win points in different ways," Eisner said. The Wolverines will be looking for their first road win of the year against the Hoosiers. All three of Michigan's losses this year have occurred at sites away from Ann Arbor. Wolverines vault into East Lansing in final chance to improve regional score IMtention Financial id Ppplicants* To receive first priority filing status for 1998-99 Fall/Winter aid, all required application materials (1998-99 FAFSA and 1997 tax returns) must be submitted to the Office of Financial Aid on or before: April V1-dnesdajPpril 15, qf 1 S For more information, visit our offices or our application Website: http://www.finaid.umich.edu/apply989q .1 By David DenHerder Daily Sports Writer After finishing behind Michigan State two weeks in a row, the Michigan men's gymnastics team will travel to East Lansing for a second rematch with the No. 6 Spartans on Saturday at Jenison Fieldhouse. This will be Michigan's final chance to better its three- score regional qualifying average before the NCAA East Regional takes place in Massachusetts on April 4. Michigan is currently on the regional bubble, occupying the sixth and final slot in the East. The qualifying average is based on three team scores, including a home, away and at-large team total. The last time the teams met in a dual-meet atmosphere was March 19 at Cliff Keen Arena. That meet saw both teams reach seasonal highs, but concluded with the Wolverines falling to the Spartans, 229.15-229.45. The Wolverines saw their intrastate rivals again last week- end when they hosted the Big Ten Championships at Crisler Arena. Despite several impressive individual performances, the Wolverines were unable to surpass Michigan State or bet- ter their average, recording a team score of 226.625. Although Saturday's dual meet will be a step down from the fervor of the Big Tens, Michigan coach Kurt Golder said he is confident that his athletes will maintain their intensity, since a regional bid is on the line. "We're going to go up there, turn in a good performance, and help ourselves out a little bit," Golder said. Michigan State coach Rick Atkinson likes the idea ol another dual meet with Michigan, and thinks that the inter- lude may help relieve the pressure often associated with the postseason. "It's a plus because we're going to go into it a lot more relaxed," Atkinson said. "Going in nice and relaxed - and ii will be the last meet for the seniors - will be a big plus" In order improve their best away score of 227.55, Michip will need solid all-around performances from sophom LaLo Haro and freshman Kevin Roulston. At last weekend's championships, Roulston tied for seventh in the all-around with a 56.475, while Haro was ninth with a 56.4. Michigan State's best all-around performer was Ethan Sterk, who recorded a 54.55 to finish 19th. Also key for the Wolverines will be their hit-miss ratio, which was a problem in the March 19 meeting. The Wolverines couldn't overcome early misses on the pommel horse, despite a late-meet surge that brought them within 0.3 of a point. Threatening Michigan's regional berth is No. Massachusetts. The Minutemen are currently trailing Wolverines by 1.725 points, and will conclude their schedule at the Eastern College Athletic Conference Championships this weekend. Central Campus: 2011 SAB Hours: Mon. - Fri.: 8a.m. - 5p.m. Office of Financial. Aid North Campus: 1212 Pierpont Commons Hours: Mon. - Wed. and Fri.: 9 a.m. -12 p.m. & 1 - 3 p.m. Thurs.: 1 - 5 p.m. http://www.finaid.umich.edu NCAAs Continued from Page LA ring to Auburn, Texas and Stanford, which qualified 18 swimmers for NCAAs. Urbanchek thinks Tennessee, California-Berkeley, Georgia and Michigan will all battle for fourth place. "To finish fourth we'll have to swim outof our suits, literally," he said. "We're not going to win it, but if every athlete does his job and puts points on the board, we could make the top four."' Eleven Wolverines will compete in Auburn, including diver Brett Wilmot, who secured a spot with his second-place finish on the 10-meter springboard two weeks ago at the Diving Zone Meet. Malchow, a silver medalist in the '96 Olympics, leads the way for Michigan. Despite the junior's success in Atlanta, he has never won an individual national championship. But this weekend, Malchow is favored to win the 200 freestyle and the 200 butterfly. "It will be really hard for me to win twice," Malchow said. "l'll be satisfied with one win and top-eight finishes in all three races. I've been denied a champi- onship so far, so it would be great to win a title for Michigan - to stand up there on the block in maize and blue." Senior Derya Buyukuncu is another Olympian who hasn't won an NCAA title. Despite a strong season, Urbanchek is skeptical about his chances. "Derya's been one of our most valu- able swimmers the last four years," Urbanchek said. "If he gets psyched-up he can do unbelievable things. I'll be pleased if he gets second ... it would be a very big upset if Derya did win Finishing as high as second would be very honorable way for him to graduate' Perhaps Michigan's best shots at win ning titles are in the 800 freestyle rela: and in freshman Chris Thompson's 1,651 free performance. The 800 free relay torically belongs to the Wolverines, w have claimed the past five titles. Onl: Malchow and junior John Reich retun from last year's quartet. Thompson excels in the long distanc events - his team's area of expertise Thompson is favored to win the 1,651 free, which he has dominated all year. "Thompson's supposed to win thi 1,650, but he's going to be up agai guys who were in the Olympi Urbanchek said. "So he'll have his worl cut out for him. He's definitely capable o winning.' (734) 763-6600 * E-mail: financial.aid@umich.edu " Web: I a0 Tell your folks how much you're studying. Then get back to the party. I