18A -- The Michigan Daily - Thursday, April 16, 1998 Kabnick 'didn't expect' to win regional title GYMNASTICS KABNICK Continued from Page 13A downs, keeping us motivated - their good attitude makes it easier for us." Kabnick has had a stellar year in vir- tually all of her performances, finishing the regionals as the all-around champion two weeks ago, scoring a 39.375. "it was really exciting, but I didn't expect it," Kabnick said. "It was a trade- off and I would have taken it the other way if our team had won." She said her fondest memory as a Michigan gymnast was win- ning the regionals last year, because it had never been achieved by any team other than Kabnick Alabama in 10 years. She would have traded her individual victory to give herself and her team th t feeling again. Kabnick is also a member of the Student Athletic Advisory Counsel - a -group organized to help involve Michigan's athletes in the community. Through this, she participates in ser- vice activities, including reading to kids and visiting Motts Children's Hospital. In the future, she. hopes to pursue a career in the medical or health field. Kabnick attributes much of her suc- cess as a Wolverine to the strength of the Michigan gymnastics program, on both the athletic and academic levels. "It is an incredibly strong program," sie said. "We have been up and coming for a while, and we have a lot of poten- tial to do really big things:' The only thing that Kabnick said she regrets is that she did not appreciate her experiences as a gymnast earlier. "You realize how good everything is right before it is about to end. The incoming freshmen should enjoy it, appreciate it, because it all goes so fast. "It is an important four years where you make a lot of memories." Blue gymnasts prepare for NCAAs NCAAS Continued from Page 13A -ing on their upcoming performance. This time around, the team has a different mentality. "We're ready both emotionally and physically," Simes said. Although seeding has little effect on a team's performance -- the sole advantage of being one of the top-seeded teams come in the form of a choice of the order of events -- \ichigan has the psychological advantage of being a No. 5 seed. Since the Wolverines finished second at regionals, this high seeding speaks well of the strength of the Central Region. Ranked above the Wolverines are a trio of SEC teams - No.1 Georgia, the clear favorite that has sat atop the nation all season, Florida and Alabama - and Washington. Also at stake this weekend are individual championships. Co-captain Heather Kabnick has a legitimate shot at winning gymnastics' most prestigious individual honor -- the all- around crown. At the NCAA Central Regional Championships considered by many to be the strongest of the five regions, sl came away with a first-place finish. Kabnick prevailed on the floor exercise with a 9.950 en route to her victory. Needless to say, Kabnick's performance and leadership will be crucial as Michigan tries to make this a triple-crown year for Wolverine athletics. "I hope this weekend goes well." Kabnick said. "And we can follow the trend that other Michigan sports have ... this year." Michigan's Heather Kabnick finished as the all-around champion.in the NCAA regionals two weeks ago. The senior names last year's team victory in the regionals as the fondest memory of her illustrious Michigan gymnas- tics career. JOHN IKRAFT/ Diy i UT PR 303 S. STATE S-T. BY LIBERTY.998-3480."OPEN 7 DAYS FORTH FRS 1IMIEEI Toman may be Blue's best hope to make top six in individual events QUAI I ERS Continued from Page 13A chance of becoming an All- American." All-American status is awarded to the top six finishers in each event. After tonight's prelims, the top eight in each event will advance to the finals on Saturday, where they will compete for the honor. Another freshman standout, Kenny Keener, will vie for a spot in the finals on still rings. Keener his led the Wolverines in the event all yea'r, and tied his own school record of 9.750 at regionals to qualify for NCAAs. Golder said that if Keener can con- tinue his strong performance, he could make Saturday's cut. "A lot of times it all comes down to the dismount." Colder said "He's pret- ty consistent on his dismount." Senior Tim Lauring will represent the Wolverines on vault. Traditionally Michigan's forte, the event's spon- taneity makes the results difficult to predict. Unlike NCAA women's com- petition, where the score is based the average of two attenipts, the men have just one chance to hurdle the horse. Vault "is like a high jump. YOu either nail it or you don't," Golder said. "You could go from All- American to 20th place." Lauring was part of a four-man Michigan contingent to reach the Big Ten vault finals, but with a 9.700, and all-around qualifier H aro were t only two able to maintain the same intensity at regionals. Although every qualifying athlete will participate tonight, only the all- around title will be awarded by the end of the evening. The night serves as a preliminary round for the team competition and the individual events. Haro and the other all-around com- petitors will also be eligible to qualify for Saturday's individual finals on single-event basis. i BUY ANY LONGSLEEVE T-SHIRT AND TAKE ANY 30F THEFOLLOWING FREE: 1. LONG SLEEVET-SHIRTS 2EMBROIDERED HATS 3 HEAVY COTTON POCKET SHORTS 4.REGULAR COITON SHORTS 5.-SHIRTS 6 HOCKEY NAllONAL CHAMPIONS TEES 7. FOOTBALlNATlONAL CHAMPIONS TEES 7 OZT-SHIRTS 9 RINGER T-SHIRTS 10FITEDWOOLHATS .}