The Michigan Daily - Friday, February 4, 2000 '11 ootball rivals offer pool challenge for 'M' By Jeb Singer Daily Sports Writer Ohio State's and Michigan State's swimming teams will likely compete for second place when they come to town for a three-way meet this weekend. In this threesome, the Wolverines should be the eaders and best. While it's important to finish the dual meet portion of their schedule strong, facing their archenemies from East Lansing and Columbus is in no way a cli- max for this season. "Nothing special is going on in the pool this week," assistant coach Eric Namesnik said. "We are just run- ning through the week as normal." Michigan State swimmers (0-5 Big Ten, 1-6 overall) have had a tough time staying afloat this winter. Despite their woeful record, the Spartans do in fiet have one strong link in their feeble chain. John Munley, who qualified for the 200 freestyle Olympic trials, will challenge Wolverines Jason Mallory arid Mike McWha. Ohio State (2-1, 7-1) will present a more formida- ble lineup. The Buckeyes are led by senior Jason Fox, who won three events last week in the butterfly and IM. Bruce Malich and Mike Reilly have each swam strong this season for Ohio State, making the freestyle events a focal point for the Huckeyes. They also pos- sess firepower in the freestyle events. Diving is a strength for both vi, itors. Michigan Stat's C asey Gitviller is coming off a strong perfor- nmiance this past weekend against Indiana. Freshmen Ieath Knowling and Chns Monson each won a diving event as they defeated Northwestern and Kenyon by large margins. Both Michigan State and Ohio State were annihilated by Indiana Michigan's victim last weekend. It should he a good way for the Wolverines to finish out the dual meet season at home. "This will serve as our senior recognition meet," Namesnik said. SILENT Continued from Page 9 Mi hi'I Redd. Luesday night. Redd outscored the more heralded Penn, 14-13 in Ohii State's victory over Wisconsin. Michigan might have more of a chan ci outplay the Bucks inside. Although Oio tae center Ken Johnson was r icctl named Big Ten player of the wveek and was important in the Buckeycs victory over M ns St junior center Josh A ssehn has always had his number. VLast vear at Crisler Arena, Asselin had a 22-point, 10-rebound double- double against Johnson as the over- matched Wolverines steanrolled ;the Final Four-bound Bucks, 84-74. "We were able to exploit some matchups last year," assistant coach Scott Trost said. "Asselin played very well last year, as did Brandon Smith." Michigan's trip to Indiana, where it scored only 50 points to the Hoosiers' 85, may have been the first 'tough defense the young team faced. But as Brian Ellerbe foreshadowed then, Michigan State (which defeated a Crawford-less Michigan by 20) and Ohio State may have the most strin- gent defensive players in the league. "I've heard a lot of other coaches say it takes two years to teach kids) college defense," Trost said. Cantin, Blue relish the Meyo A Ron Garber Daily Sports Writer Fresh off a grueling month-long stretch of training, the Michigan men's wtrack and field team heads to South Bend this weekend for perhaps its favorite meet of the season, the Meyo Invitational. Events start tonight at 6 p.m. and contin- ue Saturday morning at 11 a.m.. This is no ordinary road meet. Notre Dame's track is 300 meters long, as opposed to the standard indoor length of 200 meters. The Wolverines are licking their chops. "They've got a great track down there," Michigan coach Ron Warhurst said. "We're looking to do some good stuff, and for at least half our guys to get personal bests" One Wolverine is particularly excited for the meet. Every time senior Jay *antin runs in the shade of the Golden Dome, big things happen for the distance runner. His freshman season, Cantin set the track record in the 1000 meters, a record that he still holds. Last year at the Meyo, he qualified for the NCAA National Championships, and Cantin and Warhurst expect that feat to be repeated this weekend. "I'm definitely capable of it if every- hing goes well," Cantin said. "It's sup- sed to be a fast race, and I love that track." With Mike Wisniewski already quali- fied for the 3000-meter run and expected to qualify in the 5000, Warhurst said that running Cantin in the mile "will be like having an ace in the hole." Cantin is not the only Wolverine who has fond memories of this meet. Last year, four Wolverines Yvon individual titles, including sophomore Bob Arnold, hose high jump victory was especially eroic since he was suffering from mononucleosis at the time. Arnold may not have the chance to defend his title this year, as he is suffering from a leg injury and may not make the trip. Even if Arnold is held out of the meet, scoring in field events should not be a problem. Warhurst thinks that junior pole vaulter Charles DeWildt is capable of picking up the slack. If DeWildt can improve his recent vault of 17-foot-1, it could translate into a lot of points for the Wolverines. Senior thrower Patrick Johansson can also be counted on, as always, to finish well and put up points. Michigan's sprint team might not be at full strength, either. Sophomore Ike Okenwa has been suf- fering from a head cold and might not be at his best. Michigan will need seniors Steve Molnar and Steve Jenkins to con- tinue posting good times if Okenwa does not right himself One Wolverine who Warhurst is not worried about slipping up is sophomore hurdler Derek Applewhite, who seems to be finding his rhythm as of late. "We're expecting a big weekend from Derek," Warhurst said. With some clutch performances in the field events and sprints, in addition to what are becoming the usual big finishes in the distance events, the Wolverines should be able to hang, step for step, with the top teams expected to compete - Alabama, Miami and Missouri, A big weekend will also be very encouraging to a team that is less than a month away from competing in the Big Ten Championships. And if there is any track that the Wolverines would like to have a big weekend on, this is it. "I've had some great experiences, down there;' remembered Cantin. "That track is like my home away from home." -- - -- -- - LOUIS BROWN/Daily Jay Cantin loves running in South Bend at the Meyo Invitational. He'll get another chance to run the 300-meter track this weekend.