The Michigan Daily - Thursday, February 3, 1999 - 11A NCAA sets new elgibility rules INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - High school athletes will now have an eas- ier time meeting academic standards that allow them to play college orts. A new set of NCAA rules will let high schools determine whether ath- letes have fulfilled course require- ments for college eligibility. The decision means that many ath- letes who had been denied scholar- ships in the past will now be able to qualify for them. A committee of the governing body recommended the change last spring, and the NCAA Division I and membership recently approved the a islation. The NCAA eliminated certain parts ofthe course requirements,-giv- ing high school principals more lati- tude in setting the agenda. The change takes effect immediately. The old rules were much more stringent and allowed the NCAA to determine what were acceptable courses. * For example, one previous regula- ion disqualified social studies cours- es that devoted more than 25 percent of classroom time to current affairs or independent study. "We've become more generic in defining those academic criteria," Bob Oliver, director of NCAA mem- bership services, said yesterday. orida may have est recruit class Some of the nation's most promis- ing prospects agreed with the Florida eoach on vetserday, becoming baby Qiators on the first day high school tars can sign letters of intent. "We did get most all the guys we Went after this year, -Steve Spurrier id. "A few weeks ago, I didn't think we were recruiting enough players to sign 21 or 22. But it seemed like they all wanted to come play for the Gators this year." With an incoming class led by quarterback Brock Berlin, USA Today's offensive player of the year, All-American linebacker Darrell Lee and a flurry of impressive last- inute signees, Florida came out the winner in Recruiting Wars 2000. SIX DEGREES OF SUBMERSION By Sam Duwe - Daily Sports Writer Jim Richardsont eyes light up when asked about his girls. Beaming with a paternal pride, the swimming coach discusses in his soft southern drawl the Mecca of swimming, and of the Wolverines who hope to make that grand pilgrim- age. He speaks of September, of Australia, of the Olympics. In order to take that ultimate journey and become one with history, Michigan's women must certify their ability to swim with the elite. The first part of the gauntlet has been completed with six swimmers stroking fast enough times to qualify for Olympic Trials - the proving grounds for a respective county's national team. "To be able to swim in your country's Olympic Trials is a tremendous honor," Richardson said. "If you look at the number of women that start in the sport and then the percentage of those who make it to the/ Olympic Trials, you'll find it's very small These girls will probably be ranked in the top 50 swimmers in the world." Richardson cannot begin to express how. much of a feat it is to make it to the trials. Y "These trials are very, very special because they're only held every four years," JenI Richardson said. "The timing has to be right for a person in their development, for if they peak in a non-Olympic year, they may get slower and not make qualification for trials. There are so many vari- ables, everything had to come together perfectly for these women to make it to this point." For six of the Wolverines, everything has come together, all variables are defined and the pilgrimage has been set. Erin Abbey's fantasy since the age of nine has always been to swim in the Olympics, but her dream was to make the trials. "It wasn't until I came to Michigan and swam in the Texas Invitational back in December that I real- ized that dream," Abbey said. "I could not be more excited than to have done it as a Michigan Wolverine." When the freshman backstroker qualified, it was with "astonishment and disbelief." A star at her high school in Cleveland, Abbey came to Michigan this year to hone her skills and maximize her potential. "I will just be honored to be part of the whole trial experience,' Abbey said. "It will be exciting for me to just be swimming in the same meet as those that will end up representing our country in Sydney. I don't have any plans to make the Olympic team. I am just excited to compete." Traci Valasco, a freshman breaststroker, came to Michigan as a four-time high school state champion. "I am very excited but nervous to swim in my home state and the pool that I have competed in my whole life," Carlburg said. A sophomore backstroker, Carlberg qualified for Trials the summer before her freshman year as a Wolverine. She has set high goals for this summer, and will give it her all to achieve them. "I hope to make the final heat in my event," to prepare," Sugar said. U., Jennifer Crisman is another seasoned veteran, qualifying for the 1996 trials. "The first time I qualified I was completely sur- prised," Crisman said. "My first trials were definite- ly filled with overwhelming anxiety, but now I am more focused. I have had the cut for a while." Swimming freestyle, backstroke and fly, the six time junior All-American plans to make a run at the Olympic team. "Hopefully I can swim with the best America has to offer," Crimson said. "Of course everyone hopes to be in the Olympics some day. I have that dream, also. When August comes, I just hope to put Diy best on the line and go for it ... then I'll ell ya where I'll be." Shannon Shakespeare's fellow potential Olympians will compete for the Stars and Stripes. But the Maple Leaf is her inspira- tion. Swimming for Team Canada in the 1996 Olympics, the Manitoban resident finished in 17th place in the 100 freestyle. Da7iy "We have a lot of talent on our team, but Shannon has the most potential for making it to the Olympics and doing well;" Richardson said. The Olympic Trials can almost be considered "old hat" for Shakespeare. "It's a little bit more comfortable the second tine through," Shakespeare said. "I feel like I have quite a bit more experience and I feel like I'm more pr-- pared with my racing strategies and where-I'm at mentally. "I'm looking more towards the actual Olympics,' Shakespeare said. "I don't think the challenge lies in making the team, but trying to improve my time from '96. This year I would like to be in the top eight. That's top eight in the world. Olympic Trials will be held at the end of May for the Canadian team, and mid-August for the Americans. These six women will bring with them an aura of self-confidence and humbleness, great respect and fierce competitiveness and pride for rep- resenting their country. For whether it is for Canada or America, breaststroke or freestyle, all have one thing in common. All are Wolverines. Crisman joins five other Wolverines in a quest for Olympic status. She would like to leave an Olympic athlete. This too is her first shot at the world. "It is really a great honor to be considered an elite athlete and to even be mentioned with many of the swimmers who will be attending this meet" Valasco said. Valasco has kept a calm demeanor though. "I am not really nervous for the meet," Valasco said. "I'm more excited to be swimming at this level of competition." Keeping a realist view with a positive attitude, Valasco awaits Trials with awe and respect. "There are so many great athletes at that meet and so few chances to qualify for the Olympics that it is not something I can really expect to do" Valasco said. "This is my first time at a trials meet and I'm just happy to be able to participate." Lindsay Carlberg will feel right at home at this summer's Olympic Trials. Held in Indianapolis, the trials are a short drive from Carlberg's hometown of Carmel, Indiana. Carlburg said. "That would be a great accomplish- ment. "I know that Jim Richardson has been preparing us well for the trials in August, and he will prepare us well for the competition. Until then I will just be training and focusing on my goals." Missy Sugar has done this before. The four-time All-American junior participated in the last Olympic Trials swimming sprints. "When I was 15 it was one of my first really big meets," Sugar said. "I saw all the really big Olympians and I was overwhelmed." Four years and thousands of hours of training later, Sugar's outlook is positive. "I think I have improved," Sugar said. "My times in practice have been getting much faster." Although trials are fast approaching, Sugar's main goal along with the entire teams is doing well in Big Tens and NCAAs. "Our training is aimed at the events coming in the next few months, I'll have the summer in Ann Arbor M' icers don meaningful digits By Uma Subramanian Daily Sports Writer NCAA Basketball yI.,l'ma.. n61 . 'A , 7 (123Fou SraO' 77III! ,.,Ima S2 *16i !(,)Xini F.R'n'I.. "tire i8. (22) NC St ('S (14) )lkl m it S. .116 .T. i t C,-A.-- NBAIStanings E-A~n:r c''-.VVL 'CT Miai 2? 16.628 New Yorkx . 26 17,.605 Philaidclphia,,2520 559 Niston '20 24 .455. Orl~mdo 21 26 .447 14 c Jcr '.1-127 ,386 91/.,.lunri'ruin 14 it31 .1 E-Cftr mAL. W L PCT Indiaina 29 Ii .659 ['. 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