28 - The Michigan Daily - Tuesday, April 20, 1999 Kenyan °..BOSTON (AP) - Kenya's added yet another victory to decade of dominance at the B Marathon, and Ethiopia's Fatuma "kept her own formidable streak too. Joseph Chebet, a runner-up in hi .vious three marathons, ended his of second-place finishes by wi runners are home away from home in Boston again, men their oston Roba alive, s pre- string nning yesterday's race in 2 hours, 9 minutes, 52 seconds. Chebet became the ninth straight Kenyan champion, equaling the race record set by U.S. runners between 1916-25 at a time when few foreigners entered the race. There was no individ- ual competition in 1918, only a team race. "Everybodyin the world is trying to catch the Kenyans, but they can't," Chebet said. The smooth-gliding Roba, the 1996 Olympic gold medalist, eased to victory at 2:23:25, matching the three consecu- tive titles won by Germany's Uta Pippig from 1994-96. They are the only two to win three in a row since women official- ly became part of the race in 1994. While Chebet and Roba over- whelmed their opposition, two crowd favorites - defending champion Moses Tanui of Kenya and four-time champion Bill Rodgers - did not finish. Tanui, also the champion in the race's centennial year in 1996, apparently was bothered by leg cramps and dropped out near the 23-mile mark. Rodgers, seeking to break the course record for over-50 by an American, dropped out shortly before the 21-mile mark because of dehydra- tion. "I can run the race," the 51-year-old Rodgers said, "but I can't push hard for records. I have to run more carefully, then I'll finish." Another popular New Englander, Lynn Jennings, was 12th among the women in her first official marathon at 2:38:37. Jennings, 38, had run the marathon as an unofficial competitor in 1978 when she was a 17-year-old high school snigr and ran about 2:46, a time that waod have placed her third. Sheiks prepare for Derby DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - Champion horses Aljabr and Wortdly Manner boarded a flight yesterday for the United States, where their Arab sheik owners are eyeing America's greatest racing title: the Kentucky Derby. - The chartered flight left Dubai and was to refuel in Shannon, Ireland before heading to Kentucky, said Michael Osborne, chairman of the Emir* Racing Association. The Al Maktoums, the rulers of the Gulf emirate and probably the rih'est and biggest horse racing owners in the world, have won many top races.. Their bid for the May I Kentbky Derby is a shot at racing history: TE Derby has never been won by an Arab owner. "Our hope is to win the Kentucky Derby and show how the Emirates is training horses," said Sheik Hamdan Rashid Al Maktoum, deputy rulerf Dubai. 'M' men's gymnasts- head to NCAAs GYMNASTS Continued from Page 21 Ten Championships, Iowa perormed one of its best meets of the season and claimed second place. At NCAA Regionals in Illinois, the Illini were inspired by their fans to finish f~rth and just missed qualifying for he championships. "I thought that Iowa would have a great advantage by competing at home, but we went in there and anyways," Michigan coach Kurt Golder said. "I do think that thetitle will come down to the three Big Ten teams and Nebraska though." -.I The two favorites for the competi- tion will be Ohio State and Michigan. The Buckeyes and Wolverines have recorded the top scores this yearrdet- ting above a 231. ..t The top three teams on Thursday will advance to the team finals !on Friday night when 1999's chat will be crowned. The all-around champion wil be determined from competition bn Thursday night. Michigan has some of the best all-arounders in the country this year -- maybe too many. ' Four Wolverines have a legitimate chance to win the all-around title' Daniel Diaz-Luong, Lalo Haro, Jtlstin Toman and Scott Vetere. All four w ' be able to compete in the all-aro competition though. Michigan has a philosophy that places program first, followed"*,y team, all-around and individual. In the interests of the team, Golder may keep some gymnasts off their routines, on Thursday to ensure their ability to compete on Friday in the team finals. Because of slight injuries, Diaz- Luong and Toman might be left off events during the Thursday coml- tion. Vetere and Haro could be left f their weakest events if Golder deens it best for the team's success. "They can't all compete in the all- around. Probably one or two of them will compete for the (all-around) title," Golder said. "They all want to coim- pete, and they are certainly all capable of winning. They understand that. We need to do what is best for the tean. We have talked about it all year." In terms of individual titles;e Wolverines have several chances. Kenny Keener, the Big Ten champion on still rings, has recorded some ofthe best scores on the event this year. Toman, who's best event is parallel bars, also claimed the Big Ten title. /, WINGS, W EELS, WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE, REALLY? *___ _ _ _.