UNSUNG - , P ~ By David Mosse N Daily Sports Writer ebruary 26, 2000, the Big Ten Championships in Bloomington. Moments following the 600- Ameter race, sophomore Jeremy Schneider was found lying on the floor -of the tunnel adjacent to the arena, with his head in his hands. The most poignant image of the Indoor season spoke volumes about Michigan's track and field star. Schneider had just concluded what he termed "the most disappointing race of his life." After winning every 600-meter race during the regular season, he failed to deliver in the grand stage - placing ,seventh. But for the Wolverines middle-dis- tance ace, the episode was a mere blem- ish in an otherwise triumphant season. Week after week other teammates garner all the headlines. If it's not All- American Steve Lawrence, or silky- smooth Ike Okenwa, it's super Swede Patrik Johansson, or the flamboyant Qded Padan. Truthfully, Schneider lacks the charisma of some of his teammates but if you pulled head coach Ron Warhurst aside and asked who the most consis- tent Wolverine has been all season, his answer would invariably be Jeremy Schneider. During indoor season, Schneider cap- tured individual victories in seven of nine meets and in three different races - the 400, 600, and 800-meters. Pretty remarkable when you consider Dhow Schneider arrived in Ann Arbor. A native of West Bloomfield, Schneider attended Andover high school, where he was- a member of the track and field team. His highest honor? A fifth place finish in the class B State meet in the 400-meter. "That doesn't mean a whole lot when every guy I face in college was a State Champion" Schneider said. Schneider's modest success sparked nterest from a handful of Division III Schools. But Schneider knew where he wanted attend college. "Michigan was the only school I applied to," Schneider said. "Both my parents, my grandfather, and my uncle all went to U-M." Once he arrived, Schneider opted to try out for the track team. The first day he arrived at the Michigan track build- ing, Schneider encountered one of the argest recruiting classes in the nation. e knew full well he had his work cut out. "I was really scared," Schneider said. "I remember the first meeting when the coaches talked about cuts and what times they expected from us. But I ran my ass off and did pretty well." And the rest as they say is history. Schneider has improved leaps and bounds since his freshman year and is now one of the catalysts of the the team. "I'm doing a lot better in College than I did in high school," Schneider said. "My freshman and sophomore years in high school, I didn't even place. My freshman and sophomore years in college, I'm winning races." Schneider attributes the turn around to the maturation of his body. At 6-5, and extremely skinny, he lacked coordi- nation in high school. But Schneider has gained 30 lbs. since since coming to Michigan and his height is no longer a hindrance to his running. "My muscles have finally caught-up to my weight." Schneider said. _ How surprised is Schneider at all the success he has achieved? "Not at all", Schneider said. "Nobody fairs well that doesn't expect to win. To be good, you have to think your the best." But Schneider's rags to riches story wasn't without adversity. One chilly, winter night, Schneider nearly lost it all. On February 14, two weeks prior to the Big Ten Championships, Schneider was sleeping peacefully in his bed. At 3:30 a.m. the smoke detector went off in his apartment. Schneider ran downstairs only to find his living room filled with smoke. "I opened the door to the hallway and smoke came in my face," Schneider said. "I pounded on Brent's door (room- mate and teammate Brent Scheffer). I went downstairs and I couldn't breathe or see. We ran to the balcony which wasn't that high up." The two jumped off the balcony onto the street. Scheffer, who Schneider describes as the "real hero" actually ventured back to the apartment and snagged coats and sneakers for the two. Schneider spent the night at his friend Jessica Roberts' apartment, awaiting word on the damage. The following day, Schneider returned home only to find he had very little to come back to. "The hallway was torched. The fire burned through the walls and into our apartment," Schneider explained. "All our plastic and metal stuff burned down. I lost my computer, mp3 player, and stereo. My varsity jacket is ruined and I'm kind of embarrassed to sk for a new one. All the furniture brd down." The apartment was beynd repai Schneider now lives in the roc Residence hall on Noth ampus. T cause of the fire remainsa myery The police suspect arson, bt no ats hav been made and the investiin ongoing. Schneider tried his bet not to d on the incident. He remakably atnded all his classes the next day, but eventu- ally his resolve began to crack. "I was kind of in denlai Schneider said. "But then the next week, I had to move everything I owned and buy new things. Move into a new apartment. was very depressing." Schneider leaned on his teammates in his time of need, and they were h app to oblige. Several members of the team helped Schneider move his stu our of the apartment, and Michig an coah Ron Warhurst permitted chneder to store his belongings in the closet of the mak building. As he reflects on his experience, Schneider realizes how lucky he is to be alive and how worse things could have been. "Stuff can be replaced Schneider said. "I'm just glad no one got I didn't lose anything der to me M eyes were hurt and I inhaed on smoke, bu t ot he rwise I miade out alright." With the i ident now fuly hind him, Schneide an cunmci n and memher of et Kappa Nu fu dni looks forward to inn ng :l t: gol he set for himsel, both on and the track. "I'd like to win Hi Tens a soon a possible' Schneider said d e to hopefuly go to nationals this yecar Anud maybe senior year, win natinals.kLetis keep things realistic. As for the Mihigan piogram Schneider sees a brict( > a>u dpi an up and down ason In addtion being one of the lagst his aidremen- tioned recruiting cl, wa one of the nation's best and Schneder be e they are capable of scal things n the group puts it al togthe And for now, al chneider is con- cerned about is helping ic.he po gram to another lex l and ha n fun doing it. "I love the team," Schneider said. "Everyday I go to praciice and laugh the whole time. EIvcyone is prett cool . I - ....... ......... :................... ...... ..,......................................................... y t , Did you hear about the research program that may prevent osteoporosis? K,' Yes, I hear it's in Ann Arbor or Plymuth. But tell me more 4 /(: 11 r OSTEOPOROSIS RESEARCH EQ POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN + Healthy, post menopausal or surgically sterile women + Aged 45 to 60 + Last menstrual cycle at least 1 year ago but not more than 5 years ago + Normal weight range required + Not currently taking hormone replacement therapy b mouth + Compensation for 4 completed visits is $1000 .: