s
Gymnastics ratings
,Michigan's men's and women's gymns-
t.cs teams rank No. 1 and No. 2 respec-
tively. Go to the Daily Sports Website
for a look at the complete standings.
michigandaily.com/sports
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THURSDAY
FEBRUARY 3, 2000
8A.i4
Carr confident in defensively stacked class
New Blue
21 Mayers from I I different states - here's a look at the
crap of recruits Michigan announced it had signed so far.
By Chris Duprey
Daily Sports Editor
With the coyest of smiles, Michigan football
coach Llovd Carr introduced his 21-member
recruiting class yesterday at a press conference,
giving the following opening statement:
"We've signed 21 guys. I like 'em. I'll make the
same statement every coach in the country is
making about how good a class it is. They're
guys I'm confident will be successful here."
Glad you like 'em, coach.
The Wolverines recruited sparingly at the offen-
sive skill positions, signing just one quarterback
(Jermaine Gonzales of Pontiac), one wide
receiver (James Taylor of Garfield Heights,
Ohio), and two running backs (Chris Perry of
Advence, N.C., and Reggie Benton of Grand
Blanc).
Defensively, Michigan had a satisfactory haul.
The Wolverines replenished a linebacking corps
that lost Dhani Jones and Ian Gold to graduation.
inking five athletes at that position.
Just as important as who the Wolverines did get
is who they didn't. They missed out on wide
receiver Carlos Rogers of Saginaw, who
announced for Michigan State a few weeks back.
Michigan also lost quarterback Jeff Smoker of
Manheim, Pa., also to the Spartans, who gave
them a verbal commitment earlier in the year.
Michigan missed out on a key recruit in defen-
sive end Travis Johnson of Sherman Oaks, Calif.,
who appears to have signed with Florida State.
Yesterday, Johnson told Jamie Newberg of
Border Wars, an Internet website specializing in
recruiting, that Tuesday night, "I went to bed a
Wolverine. But (yesterday), I woke up and want-
ed to be a Seminole. I signed with FSU."
The Wolverines had a successful fall recruiting,
but lost steam the past couple weeks when as
many as five players, most considering Michigan
and one other school, turned down Carr.
Carr was cautious to laud any of his recruits
with an excessive amount of praise, stressing
instead how the Michigan coaching staff will
take a wait-and-see attitude with each individual.
"The truth is that it (the recruiting process)
puts a lot of pressure on these young men. I think
they come in with expectations that are com-
pletely unrealistic. The pressure that it creates
for these kids is absolutely overblown," Carr
said. "I think all of them have the potential to be
successful, but it's a new level."
BELAMv BEDLAM: Carr said that soon-to-be
sophomore Ronald Bellamy will put his effort
toward contributing offensively as a wide receiv-
er this season. Bellamy was originally recruited
as a wide receiver but has entertained thoughts
of playing defense.
"I haven't talked to Ron - I just saw him
(Tuesday)," Carr said. "Unless he's really
changed, he wants to be a receiver. I don't see
him moving to defense from offense."
Name
David Bass
Calvin Bell
Reggie Benton
Timmy Bracken
Emmanu elCasseus
Andy Christopfel
Zia Combs
Markus Curry
Kevin Dudley
Tyler Ecker
Adam Finley
Jim Fisher
Jermaine Gonzales
Alain Kashama
Zach Kaufman
Roy Manning
Chris Perry
Larry Stevens
James Taylor
Kolby Wells
Pos. Ht. Wt.
OL
ATH
RB
ATH
LB
OL
DB
DB
FB
TE
P/PK
TE
QB
DL
LB
LB
RB
LB
WR
LB
6-6
6-2
6-1
5-11
6.2
6-4
6-0
6.0
6-2
6-6
6-4
6-5
6-4
6-5
6-1
6-4
6-2
6-4
6-3
6-3
295
185
202
185
230
290
172
160
220
225
210
225
190
235
230
210
215
230
180
230
SARAH SCHENCK/Daily
Michigan coach Lloyd Carr missed out
on key offensive recruits, but did well
defensively.
'M' prepared
to thwart
Illini revenge
By Michael Kern
Daily Sports Writer
Revenge will be a major factor tonight for No. 23
Illinois when it travels to Crisler Arena to take on
the Michigan women's basketball team.
Two weeks ago, the Wolverines ran over the then
13th ranked Fighting Illini on the road, defeating
the heavy favorite, 86-69. Illinois (6-3 Big Ten, 16-
7 overall) will look to return the favor on.
Michigan's home turf
TONIGHT tonight in a battle for
second place in the
CRISLER ARENA Big Ten.
Who: Michigan (146) vs. "All of our losses in
llinois (16-7) the Big Ten have been
Whe:7 p.rn. on the road and we've
Latest: Tonight's battle will been able to protect
pit the winner in second place our home court
inthe BigTen.Initslast M
meeting,Michiganbearthen Michigan coach Sue
No.1.3Illinois at home by 17 Guevara said. "We're
points, going to war and we
need to have warriors.
"We are going to
need our 'A' game tomorrow and nothing less."
The game also has serious NCAA Tournament
irplications for both teams. Currently, both
Michigan (6-3, 14-6) and Illinois are ranked in the
top 30 in the RPI rankings, the formula the NCAA
F Les to determine tournament berths and seeds. A
vin for either team would solidify its standing in
the RPI and give it a good chance of making the
tournament.
?"We have seven games left in the Big Ten and
each one is important," sophomore Raina Goodlow
said. "As far as NCAAs go, this game is very
iimportant, and we understand that and know we
need to be ready."
Last time the Wolverines and Illini met, Michigan
used its size and depth in the post, coupled with a
solid defensive effort to shock Illinois on its home
court. Freshman LeeAnn Bies had a double-double
scoring 16 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.
But Goodlow really stole the show for the
Wolverines, scoring 17 points on 7-for-9 shooting
Top-ranked tumblers-
to tangle with Lions
By Dan Dingerson
Daily Sports Writer
One year ago, the Michigan men's
gymnastics team traveled to Penn
State as the No. 2 team in the coun-
try to face the No. I ranked Nittany
Lions.
This year, the roles are reversed.
On Friday, Michigan will host No.
2 Penn State as the top-ranked team
in the nation.
No. 12 Minnesota will also tumble
with the two top teams at Cliff Keen
Arena. The meet will showcase the
most gymnastic talent
seen in Ann Arbor this
year.
ToMc
Michigan sophomore Raina Goodlow is confident that she can repeat her impressive performance against
Illinois tomorrow. Last weekend Goodlow recorded 17 points in just 24 minutes on the floor.
On Saturday, Michigan k
will travel to face No. 3 Who: No.1N
Ohio State, one of the No.2 PennS
other elite teams in the Minnesota -
nation. The Buckeyes are When:7 p.n
Latest: The
the only team to defeat beat:tre
Michigan this year, on timeallseaso
Jan. 15 at the Windy City No. 2 ranked1
Invitational, 275.725- before travell
224.900. to face No.3
This weekend the Columnbus.
Wolverines, who have
been using a depleted
lineup, will be the healthiest they've
been to date.
Team co-c aptain Justin Toman may
finally compete in the all-around
competition to help prepare for next
weekend's Winter Cup Challenge.
Additionally, Daniel Diaz-Luong
is probable to start his road back
from injury by competing in the high
bar, while Kenny Keener and. Brad
Kenna will continue to increase the
number of their routines.
Compared to their last meet
against Illinois-Chicago, in which
the Wolverines showcased some of
their. less experienced gymnasts,
Michigan will put the strongest line-
up possible on the floor this week-
end.
E
t
W(
en
cn
in
Although the team has done wce
thus far, highlighted by several ouK-
standing individual performances
and some very high scores, there
have also been some disappointingty
low scores on most events.
"We need to be more consistent i
our routines," Michigan coach Kuit
Golder said. "We have a good event,
and then the next week it is down. IT
we have a bad event against Pe'
State or Ohio State, we will probab'
lose."
The other challenge that Michigan
faces is competing on two consecti-
tive days. Back-to-
)R.ROW back meets are unusual
during the regular sea-
EN ARENA son of gymnastics, but
Aichigan vs. are an integral part of
areand No.12 the championship
meets.
Volveines will In both the Big T
gthforthefrs Championships an
as theyhost the NCAA National
Penn State Championships, gym-
ngrhe next day nasts must perform on
DhioStare in consecutive days at a
peak level.
While nearly all of
the team experienced
those conditions last year in winning
the national title, more exposure c
only make the team stronger, a
provide a first lesson to the
Wolverine's three freshmen.
"This experience could be very
valuable to our team," Golder said.
"We are going up against some of the
top teams, and we have to travel,
which brings some additional adver-I
sity. Actually, it is even more diffi-
cult than when we compete in the
championships.
"Going up against these teams, 1t-
kind of rehearsal for the NC
Championships. We have to be at our
best both days, and we will be better
prepared when the championships
come around."
from the field in just 24 minutes.
"We were coming off that win over Purdue and
had nine days off," Goodlow said. "I was just look-
ing to take it out on someone, and this time should-
n't be any different. I'm pretty confident going into
this game that I can do it again."
The sophomore has been key to the Wolverines'
offense since returning from injury, posting double-
digit scoring in I I of their last 12 games.
Another player to step up for Michigan as of late
has been guard Anne Thorius. The junior point
guard struggled with consistency earlier in the year
but has poured in on lately, averaging 12 points, 5.3
assists and 5.7 rebounds in Michigan's last three
games.
"Since we came back from winter break, she has
been very consistent and very steady and has kept
her emotions under control," Guevara said. "That's
key because she runs the show."
The Wolverines are expecting perhaps their
toughest test at home this season. Everyone is
healthy for the Illini and they will be plenty ready
for a Michigan team that embarrassed them by 17
points in Assembly Hall last week.
"We spanked them at their place and beat them in
overtime at home last year," Guevara said. "So I
can't imagine they have a very good taste in their
mouth for us.'
Women's track eyes
run at record book,
Matthew Barbas
Daily Sports Writer
Every year Michigan women's
track coach James Henry tells the
media that the indoor track season is
a preparation for the championships.
Ideally, the runners will improve
at every meet, peaking in the final
race.
But at the Canon Invitational this
weekend in South Bend, that think-
ing may change.
The timetable, Michigan is hop-
ing, has moved up.
"We plan to break the 1600-meter
relay," Henry emphasized in an
interview.
Such a goal so early in the season
is normally out of the question under
Henry's time-tested plan. But the
track at Notre Dame offers the
Wolverines a unique opportunity.
"Notre Dame has a phenomenal
track," senior captain Brandi Bentley
said.
The major difference this year is
the squad's extraordinary depth. ,
"In the past, there have been four
core relay members," senior captain
Erica Murdock said. i
"But this year, we have at least
eight (runners) who can get the job
done."
Henry has yet to decide on, 1r
runners, though he has narrowed the
field down to five.
Carly Knazze, Regine Caruthers,
Murdock, Maria Brown and Tanika
Craig have each performed well, in
previous meets.
"At any given time we have more
than four people that are capableof
breaking the record," Brown said.,
In addition to the track, He#
likes the meet because it offers,
Michigan a chance to compete
against runners who it usually does
not race against.
Notre Dame and Missouri are the
most notable teams. Last year, the
Wolverines took a break from the
:X X 77
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