The Michigan Daily - SportsWednesday - Wednesday, January 6, 1999 - 3B MF M. r - , 7 III -" 1 - 'Blue trains for foes in isolated tropics N Tankers in Islands while divers shiver ' By Michael Kern aily Sports Writer While most students are hiking through the snow and cold to return to class today, the Michigan men's swimming team is relaxing in the warm sun on the beaches of Hawai'i. . The Wolverines have spent the past two weeks at Hawai'i Prep Academy on Mt. Mauna Kea training and preparing for two meets this weekend against No. 4 USC and No. 7 California. The Wolverines traveled to Hawai'i over holiday break seeking a remote location, free from distractions, where they could prepare for Big Ten season. The Michigan swimmers have spent the past two weeks on the island in private, away from civiliza- tion. "The swimmers are looking for- ward to getting back to school," Urbanchek said. "They haven't seen *ny women for two weeks and are really anxious to get back." The Wolverines had no formal competitions in Hawai'i, but they did have a practice meet with Hawai'i Prep Academy. In the meet, freshman Jon Arndt was lost for the season when he sepa- rated his shoulder reaching for the wall. But the rest of the team man- aged to stay healthy, impressing Urbanchek with its hard work. As a group, the six individual medley swimmers, led by senior co-captain Andy Potts, were most impressive "The IM group stood out the most among the swimmers," Urbanchek said. "They were the strongest and most consistent throughout the two weeks of training." The trip to Hawai'i was not all work and no play for the Wolverines, however. Seven sets of parents trav- eled with the teamto try a provide more of a holiday atmosphere on the trip. The players and parents decorated a maize and blue Christmas tree and took many day trips throughout the two weeks, including a visit to an active volcano and eating roast pig at an authentic Hawaiian luau. The fun ends tonight for the Wolverines as they fly to Los Angeles to face their toughest competition of the season. On Friday, they face California and Saturday they swim against Southern California, both top-10 ranked opponents. "They both are very worthwhile competition," Urbanchek said. "It should be exciting to watch this weekend because neither team has an edge " ..- -r-- - - . . : .. .__ FILE PHOTO The Michigan men's and women's swimming teams trained in the South Pacific for upcoming meets while the lady divers chilled out in Indianapolis. Fish on! Well, actually, no. Between rigorous practice sessions, the Michigan men's swimming team tried its luck at ocean fishing, surfing, and organized the first annual Michigan men's swim team golf tournament. Despite an entire day at sea, not a single Wolverine hooked a fish. As for the famous Hawai'ian surf - freshman Tim Siciliano (a California native) was the only one who could catch a wave. No word on whether Michigan hockey defenseman and part-time surfer Mike Van Ryn will offer lessons to his fellow Wolverines. By Jon Zemke Daily Sports Writer The Michigan women's swimming team received a nice warm gift this hol- iday season. It was scheduled to travel to the sunny beaches of Honolulu for a training camp followed by the Hawai'i Rainbow Invitational, also in Honolulu. This trip lasted most of the- winter break, while a foot of snow was dumped on Michigan. Some people have it really tough. The Hawai'i trip constituted the end of the fall training season. The fall sea- son's primary purpose is to prepare for the winter meets and the Big Ten sea- son. Shannon Shakespeare looks to lead the Wolverines into the winter season. Swimming in the freestyle races and the individual medleys, the junior won a majority of her events in the fall. She also qualified for NCAAs and swam several strong races during last year's Big Ten Championships. Senior Jen Eberwein is also expected to be a big contributor for Michigan in the backstroke and freestyle races. She won almost as many races in the fall season. While the swim team spent its win- ter vacation poolside in Hawai'i, the diving team went south to Indianapolis. The trip to Indianapolis finished off U . . Staff Picks - all picks made against the spread. *guest selectors this season have been radio broadcaster Jim Brandstatter, Michigan Daily alum/ESPN announcer Rich Eisen, Michigan basketball coach Brian Ellerbe, former Michigan quarterback Brian Griese, former Michigan kicker Remy Hamilton, University provost Nancy Cantor, University president Lee Bollinger, ,Pofessor Ralph Williams, Professor Sidney Fine and Michigan Daily columnist James Miller... an official United States quarter. Came (HOME TEAM IN CAPS) Las Vegas Bowl: North Carolina (no line) vs. San Diego State Motor City Bowl: Louisville (-3.5) vs. Marshall Aloha Bowl: Oregon (-4.5) vs. Colorado Oahu Bowl: Air Force (-3) vs. Washington .nsight.com Bowl: Missouri (-3.5) vs. West Virginia Music City Bowl: Virginia Tech (-4) vs. Alabama Sunshine Classic: Miami (-7.5) vs. North Carolina State Alamo Bowl: Kansas State (-11) vs. Purdue Humanitarian Bowl: Southern Mississippi (-15.5) vs. Idaho Holiday Bowl: Nebraska (-4) vs. Arizona Liberty Bowl: Tulane (-6) vs. Brigham Young Sun Bowl: Southern Cal (-16) vs. Texas Christian Peach Bowl: Georgia (even) vs. Virginia Independence Bowl: Texas Tech (no line) vs. Mississippi Outback Bowl: Penn State (-6.5) vs. Kentucky Gator Bowl: Georgia Tech (no line) vs. Notre Dame Citrus Bowl: Michigan (-3.5) vs. Arkansas Cotton Bowl: Texas (-6.5) vs. Mississippi State Rose Bowl: UCLA (-9) vs. Wisconsin sugar Bowl: Ohio State (-12) vs. Texas A&M Orange Bowl: Florida (-7.5) vs. Syracuse Fiesta Bowl: Florida State (-4) vs. Tennessee Best Bet Last Week (best bet) Overall (best bet) SHARAT RAJU North Carolina Marshall Oregon Washington Missouri Virginia Tech North Carolina State Kansas State Idaho Arizona Tulane Texas Christian Georgia Texas Tech Kentucky Notre Dame Michigan Mississippi State UCLA Ohio State Florida Tennessee UCLA 11-11(0-1) 84-67-4 (7-5) JIM ROSE F North Carolina Marshall Oregon Washington Missouri Virginia Tech Miami Kansas State Southern Miss Arizona Brigham Young Southern Cal Georgia Texas Tech Kentucky Notre Dame A rkansas Texas UCLA Texas A&M Syracuse Tennessee Oregon 10-12 (0-1) 65-86-4 (3-7-2) MARK SNYDER North Carolina Marshall Oregon Air Force Missouri Virginia Tech Miami Kansas State Southern Miss Arizona Tulane Southern Cal Georgia Texas Tech Kentucky Notre Dame Michigan Texas UCLA Ohio State Florida Florida State Miami 11-11 (0-1) 73-78-4 (7-5) Winning guest selector NATE HEISLER North Carolina Marshall Oregon Air Force Missouri Virginia Tech Miami Kansas State Idaho Arizona Brigham Young Texas Christian Georgia Mississippi Kentucky Georgia Tech Michigan Mississippi State Wisconsin Texas A&M Florida Tennessee Oregon 16-6 (0-1)* 78-73-4 (6-6)* the fall season for the divers. There, the Wolverines competed in a diving meet against _ Indiana-Purdue of Indianapolis. "They basically did us a favor because you have to have competition when you make a training trip, Michigan diving coach Dick Kimball said. "It was not a great meet, but a good practice meet for us." There was no team score kept during the meet, but team members made some strides Kimball said. Junior Hanna Shin won the high board div and senior Jill Unikel won the low board dive for Michigan. "Jill has been diving well pretty much all year," Kimball said. "Amanda Crews and Hanna Shin did a good job in the meet." The winter season begins Friday when the Wolverines travel to Knoxville to participate in the Tennessee Invitational in a dual meet against the Volunteers. Kimball was optimistic about the upcoming winter season, expecting some quality performances out of hi divers after the grueling fall training period. "Their goal right now is to try and make finals in the Big Tens, and then we'll see from there what they can do, Kimball said. Other notable finishers ... After Mr. Heisler, there are two notable participants in the Daily's contest to win 1997's national champi- onship commemorative book, "We're No. 1." Although the second- and third-place finishers do not get a neato book, they do get their names in the paper. Which is nice. Here they are: Second place Lus Sanchez 15-7,- 1.0best bet (Marshall) Third place Matt Pizzedaz 14-8, 1-0 best bet (Tulane) Honorable mention Although he did not place in the top three finishers, one person deserves recognition for creativity in selection. Joe Michelotti (12-10, 1-0 best bet Wisconsin) used his Sony PlayStation to simulate all 22 bowl games, reportedly tak- ing one week. His other tech- nique - picking the exact opposite of Daily football writer Jim Rose - would have yielded him the same record. But he decided to tis- ten to his video game sys- tem, instead. Again, thanks to everyone who participated in the con- test and to those who responded throughout the season. ------------------------------- ------------------------------ ------------- -- - -- - - - ------------------------- Congratulations are in order for NATE HEISLER, the winner of The Michigan Daily's football picks contest Out of all the respondents to daily.football@umich.edu, his 16-6 record was the best If you are NATE HEISLER, but did not enter the contest, then you are not the NATE HEISLER who is the proud winner of the Daily's own book chronicling Michigan's 199 national championship season, "We're No. 1" But if you are that NATE HEISLER, then come in to the Daily at 420 Maynard or call the Sports Desk at 647-3336 to receive your copy of the commemorative book. Thank you to all the participants, especially those who did worse than the Daily's football writers. I Florida's McGrew contemplating NFL Draft By Andy Staples where he likely woul Independent Florida Alligator (U. Florida) "If they say fifth o (U-WIRE) GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Junior defen- in school," Taylor Mc sive tackle Reggie McGrew probably will decide late Taylor McGrew sa this afternoon whether he will turn pro or stay at UF at his Mayo home in for his senior year, McGrew's father, Taylor, said hoping to represent1 Monday night. decide to leave schoo Taylor McGrew said his son was waiting on word "A lot of agents ha from the NFL's Draft Advisory Council to find out tions, but they're just DAILY SPORTS. * WE NEVER HAVE FOUR- LOSS SEASONS. d be ; icked in the draft. or sixth round, he'll probably stay cGrew said. aid he has fielded numerous calls n the past few days from agents his son should Reggie McGrew ol. ave called with their own projec- trying to get into your pockets,' Taylor McGrew said. McGrew has until Friday to decide whether he will enter the draft. JOHNSON HAS SURGERY: Florida's junior quarter- back Doug Johnson had surgery Monday to place a plate on the broken left fibula he suffered in UF's 31- 10 win against Syracuse in Saturday's Orange Bowl. Team doctor Pete Indelicato, who performed the surgery, said Johnson will be on crutches for six weeks and may not participate in spring practice. 4 VMEIf OUR BIGGEST SALE OF THE YEAR SAVE UP TO $2 0 ON COLLEGE RINGS w dl, &/LL[ G 11LCJC 'L +t Y"JC Y14C ~N- ~ 1-A - L~ ~1- i'DLL-U "