6A - The Michigan Daily - Thursday, April 16, 1998 Sporadic 'M' golfers prepare for Big Tens Harris, Hinton exce By Jon Zemke For the Daily The Michigan women's golf team made another unexpected change in its schedule last week with the post- ponement of the Iowa Invitational. The Wolverines competed in the Tri-State invitational on Easter ' Sunday and canceled the postponed tournament in Iowa. "We were in a no-win situation with all those small schools," Michigan coach Kathy Teichert said. The Tri-State tournament was compromised of 17 smaller, lesser- known schools, as well as the Wolverines. Nonetheless, Michigan still fin- ished low in the standings. This low placement can, however, be explained rather easily - the Wolverines only participated in the first day of play in the two-day invi- tational. Captain Nicole Green finished high in the standings and led the Wolverines with a score of 76, just three strokes behind the tourna- ment's leader. Sharon Park was second on the Michigan squad, shooting a 78. Rounding out the team was Laura Hess (79), Jennifer Baumann with an 80, Trish Watkins, who finished with an 84, and Amy Talbot, with an 88. "Sharon really had it going at the beginning, but then slowed on the backside," Teichert said. "She still finished with a very respectable five-under par. "Amy Talbot was hitting the ball well, but just wasn't scoring, and Jennifer Baumann really improved overall." Baumann shot an 80 for the first time this season. The Wolverines are starting to gain speed going into their next invitational, the Big Ten Championships, to be held May 4- 5. Also, with the weather starting to warm up, the golfers will likely be able to practice outside more often in coming weeks. But, this is Michigan - and the weather has more of a reputation for unexpected change than does the women's golf team. Teichert noted the unpredictable weather's effect on Michigan's prac- tice schedule. "Unfortunately, it can't be 80 degrees and sunny every day, but that comes with the territory," Teichert said. "We basically need to focus on our personal games to improve. I'm pleased with our progress so far, and we are looking forward to going into the Big Ten Tournament." By Kevin Rosenfield Daily Sports Writr Inconsistency and alack of depth still continue to plague the Michigan men's golf team in the midst of a frustrating season. But, during a spring of disap- pointment, the recent individual play of Mike Harris and Keith Hinton has pro- vided a hint of much-needed optimism heading into the final few weeks of the season. Harris captured top honors in last weekend's Marshall Invitational, while Hinton continued his strong play of late with a ninth-place finish. But still ham- pered by a lack of depth, Michigan fin- ished ninth overall in the 20-team field. This weekend, in a 16-team tourna- ment made up of predominantly mid- western rivals, the Wolverines head to Columbus for the Kepler Intercollegiate. Michigan finished 14th in its last appearance in Columbus two years ago but is expecting bigger things this time around. "This is a very demanding golf course with difficult greens and thick rough, Michigan coach Jim Carras said. "A top-five finish, though, is cer- tainly not out of the question." Still struggling to find a steady five- man lineup, Carras will again juggle his rotation this weekend. Harris and Hinton will lead a team in Columbus that also includes Mike Affeldt and Kevin Hinton-Keith's brother-who both emerged out of a team qualifier earlier this week to take the two spots. The fifth spot has yet to be determined for a Wolverine squad that has already tried out nine different golfers this sea- son in its five-man lineup. Mike Emanuel, Kevin Harris, Kevin Vemick, Scott Hayes, and Mike Reabe are all possibilities. "I'm still trying to find the five guys that will give us the best chance at tie Big Ten Championships," Carmas said. "Because we are just too much of a long shot to make it to regionals, our prin ry focus right now is to prepare for C conference championships.' The lineup may remain ever-chang- ing, but the rock of the team continues to be Mike Harris. The team leader in every spring tournament thus far, last weekend's one-stroke victory was bis first of the spring season and third of the year. Harris posted a 208 (72-67-69) that lowered his season-average to 72.3 strokes. "This kid is one of a kind," Card said. "He is having an outstanding year, doing things no other Michigan golfer has ever done. Who knows what more he can do. "If he continues to play the way he has, he could get the lone district quali- fying berth for an individual spot in the NCAA Tournament." Hinton's ninth-place finish lowered his season average to 75.2 strokes, the rest of the team continues to have* difficulties. No other Michigan player finished higher than 72nd place last weekend. "Keith played well and had his high- est finish of the year, but we have to get better play from the rest of the team:, Carras said. "We've got a busy schedule coming up but we need to be ready." FILL The next invitational for the Michigan women's golf team will be an imp one - the Big Ten Championships on May 4 and 5. Men's track goes west for relays Elite invite features Carl Lewis, Mike Marsh ... and Kevin Sullivan By Nick Koster Daily Sports Writer For the second time in three weeks, members of the highly touted No. 18 Michigan men's track and field dis- tance squad will follow the setting sun west to California. A select group of Wolverines, led by All- American Kevin Sullivan, will com- pete in the Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut, Calif., this weekend. Hosted by Mt. San Antonio College, the meet boasts the most prestigious collegiate and amateur competition in the nation. Among those participating in the invitational division are Olympic gold medalists Carl Lewis and Mike Marsh. The Relays will also include an open university division, which will feature teams such as UCLA and Mississippi. For Sullivan, who will compete in the invitational mile run, the world- class competition is a long-awaited challenge. After winning his first three races of the outdoor season, the senior captain is looking forward to testing himself. "I think I will do pretty well," Sullivan said. "I have been training well, and I'm in great shape. I think I am at the same caliber as the rest of the field." Assistant coach Ron Warhurst will accompany the group of runners which, along with Sullivan, consists of Brian Theisen, Jay Cantin, Don McLaughlin, Todd Snyder and All- American John Mortimer. Each . of the e Wolverines have bright prospects for the weekend. "Everyone should fare Sullivan very well," Sullivan said. "They all have had good workouts, so it's all about being in the right mindset and having the right conditions" Mindset does not figure to be a problem for Michigan, which will use the intense atmosphere of the Relays to prepare for the champi- onship meets at the end of the sea- son. For the Wolverines, the Relays mark the first of six straight weekend meets leading up to the NCAA Championships, to be held June 4-6. "This meet is the closest thing to the NCAAs that we'll see all season," Sullivan said. "It's a great atmos- phere, very competitive and intense. If you are into track and field, this is the meet." The rest of the team will go with coach Jack Harvey to the Michigan State Spartan Invitational on Saturday in East Lansing. The meet will feature only local competition: Toledo, Western Michigan and the Spartans. Although the level of competition will be much lower, the invitational will provide Michigan's inexperienced sprinters and field athletes a valuable opportu- nity to gain experience. "Local meets, like these, are fairly low-key," Harvey said. "They are just a good chance to get on the track and run. They are not all that competi- tive." For the sprinters, getting on the track is important, especially for Steve Jenkins. The sophomore is the Wolverines' best sprinter, but has been plagued by injuries since the indoor season. "Jenkins is just now getting back to form," Harvey said. "For him it's just a matter of getting more races." A healthy Jenkins should help bol- ster a Michigan sprinting corps that has struggled of late. Safe. Comfortable. asy to get into. And that just the lease. First we took the confusion out of buying a car. 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