The Michigan Daily - Thursday, February 17, 2000 - 9A 4Writers fall miserably to athletes e were somewhere in western Pennsylvania, the Reverend f Cleophus playing on the radio, when it happened. "Do you see the light?" the Reverend asked. "Do you see the light?" I saw the light. I turned to fellow sports writer T.J. Berka in the seat next to me as we orve to State JOSH ollege for the KLEIBM Michigan-Penn Al State game back in A w November. "Playstation!" I declared. "Playstation!" And the Daily Football Writers- Michigan Football Team Playstation Tournament was born. The logistics still had to be worked at. But with a little hard work, we were able to put it together, and the tournament took place on Feb. 5. We got Jon Schwartz, a young Daily sports writer, to be our impartial scribe and comer the event. The story was supposed to run that Monday. But then Tom Goss had to resign. And Jamal Crawford had to get ilisome trouble. Suddenly, there wasn't sace for the all-important event. Thankfully I have 18 inches every *er week to print whatever I want. So the rest of this column isn't my writing, but Jon Schwartz's. Sit back, relax and enjoy. And if you want to play some Playstation, give me a call. Now, I turn it over to Schwartz: Pit two out-of-work-journalists against several representatives from the Orange Bowl champion Michigan foot- ball team, and what does it equal? Another victory for the athletes. Playing on the frozen tundra of Josh Kleinbaum's house. two of the for- rarer football writers faced off against Jeff Del Verne, Scott Panique and Bennie Joppru in a tournament of NCAA 2000 on Sony Playstation. At the end of the day, Del Verne was crowned the victor. The afternoon began with Del Verne's Tennessee taking on Ileinbaum's Texas. Del Verne was king to prove himself after listening to Kleinbaum talk smack at the press conference at Rick's Wednesday night. It didn't take long to realize that talk was about all that Kleinbaum had going for him. The Michigan kicker built a quick lead in the game that included six Texas passes thrown for interceptions and career-making games by Tennessee wide receivers No. 80 No. 14. Del Verne made the boring game interesting by dominating Kleinbaum in the trash-talk department. He claimed that he should be paid back for the gas money he used to get to the game and called Klinbaum's lead in time of possession after the first quarter a sign that there really is a 'moral vic- tVy everywhere.' "Daily Sports, it's FANTASTIC," Del Verne said. But after Kleinbaum closed the gap 49-11 and claimed that he had Del Verne right where he wanted him, the journalist couldn't score another tally and ended up falling, 70-11. "I've seen some ass-whoopings, but this is ridiculous!" Del Verne said. The next game matched Panique and the Volunteers against Berka and the Wolverines. After the Vols got off to a quick 7-0 lead, Berka made the mis- 4we of running a quarterback draw with No. 10, a player with attributes similar to those of Tom "Wheels" Irady. The odd, Troy Nunes-styleplay brought up a third-and-43, which Berka was able convert for the first down. But Berka could do nothing at the end other than plead to his team to stop fumbling. The game left the restless fans angry at the concessions stand, which was run by Mr. Spots, for not having delivered within an hour. * Panique's focus remained on the game as he mounted an 85-40 victory. "Berka had some serious offense," Panique said. But he wasn't able to speak so highly of the Michigan defense. "Michigan prides itself on securing the ball, and they definitely didn't secure the ball. After Berka's sorry loss, Kleinbaum and Joppru matched up in an exhibition me, but by then, attention had moved Wer to Kleinbaum's pool table. Joppru won 72-42, despite kleinbaur getting off to the Daily's first lead of the day. But by that time, the afternoon was over. The football players went after the writers, claiming that they talked a 'Intensit' to key 'M' in weekend matches How they match up Both Penn State and Ohio State sport respectable individual match- ups for M' this w eekend, Softball leaves gym, heads for warmth By Ryan C. Moloney Daily Sports Writer The long and winding hallway to the Michigan wrestling room in Crisler arena ends with the team logo -- a mani- acal-looking wolverine in a wrestling singlet - on the entrance door. That's usually enough to scare away the timid, but this week there might as well have been a disclaimer underneath - "where the weak are killed and eaten from now until the national champi- onship." The labored walk and haggard faces of the team's best wrestlers isn't an aber- ration, it's coach Joe McFarland's brand of punishment/preparation after the Wolverines' humbling 32-6 debacle against Minnesota last Friday. If Michigan lacks anything against Penn State and Ohio State this weekend, McFarland said it won't be intensity. "The last couple of weeks, some guys have been coming to practice with- out being prepared to wrestle with the intensity you need at this level -- and that showed last Friday. "But this has been our best practice week all year. How many times do coaches say that? But I really think it's going to carry over to the weekend." All the more important considering one of Michigan's stalwarts, Damian Logan, is still battling a neck injury suf- fered against the Golden Gophers. McFarland called Logan "doubtful" for the weekend pending the outcome of yesterday's examination. The results were not available as of last night. "We need him in our lineup," McFarland said. "We're having a hard time - we need guys in our lineup." Penn State is a perennial national power but is down this year, stumbling to a 6-10 record, 3-4 in the Big Ten. Ohio PENN STATE Jeremy Hunter Jason Betz Ross Hatcher OIO STATE Peter Rodgers Nick Preston MICHIGAN A.J. Grant Damian Logan or Matt Michalski Jason Rawls Andy Hrovat Joe DeGain WGT RANK 125 1 141 11 197 10 165 13 184 7 125 141 141 165 184 197 6 9 18 State, a mediocre team in the country's best conference, is 9-8 overall, 2-5 in the Big Ten. "They're both young programs that are going to be tough in the next couple of years," Mike Kulcz'cki said. "We' want to beat them now and later." By Sam Duwe Daily Sports Writer The friendly physician smiled warmly as he examined his patient, the Michigan softball team. You look healthy and strong, he said, but I'm concerned. It's a rare disease called "cabin fever." Perhaps you should get outside, get some fresh air and just play ball. Try that out, and call me in the morning. Following this advice, the Wolverines left the indoor confines of Oosterbaan Field House and trav- el to sunny California. "Right now we have a full practice inside, but it's a different playing outside and feeling the bounce of the ball," co-captain Melissa Gentile said. "As many games as you can play during the winter months are great. We just need to compete on some real grass." The Wolverines travel to Poway, Cal. for the Campbell-Cartier Classic. This four-day, six-team tourna- ment will mark the start of the 2000 season for the sixth-ranked Wolverines. "Although we're excited to be ranked No. 6, the confidence that our team holds this season comes more from our players and attitude, not from the ranking," Gentile said. "I think that this team can accom- plish a lot. We have a lot of depth and talent." No. 21 Stanford will mark the first game of the season today. This week- end will also entail encounters from Cal. State Northridge, Long Beach State, Pacific, Sacramento State and No. I UCLA. The last time Michigan competed in The Campbell-Cartier Classic was 1998, when the Wolverines finished second. Coming off another 50-win sea- son, Michigan returns 14 letterwin- ners and eight starters, including 1999 Big Ten Freshman of the Year Kelsey Kollen and Big Ten Pitcher of the Year Marie Barda. Until the blanket of white melts on Alumni Field and Big Ten play ensues, the Wolverines will continue to travel to warm places, including Florida and Georgia in March. But for the present, Michigan is out to prove themselves to the softball community. "As I said, we're very confident in ourselves, and we're looking forward to coming back- on Sunday with six wins," Gentile said. Silverston preps Blue for Big Tens By David Mosse Daily Sports Writer It's the calm before the storm for the Michigan men's track team, as the Wolverines close out their regular sea- son at home in the Silverston Invitational. Michigan is hoping for a strong performance in their final tune- up before the Big Ten Championships. "Some guys need to be pushed, and some guys need to be rested," Michigan assistant coach Fred LaPlante said. "But with 17 events, this is not a week off." The team is licking its wounds from a disappointing showing this past Saturday at the Michigan Intercollegiate. Squaring off against the premier pro- grams in the state, the Wolverines placed fourth out of six teams. "We all have our ups and downs," Laplante said. "I don't think there's a team in the nation that has improved every week" Michigan's most impressive event last week will also be the most watched this week. Brent Scheffer and Charles DeWildt placed first and second in the pole vault, yet neither managed to qual- ify for the NCAA Championships. "There is definitely a sense of urgency," DeWildt said. "We are run- ning out of meets." In addition, two of the elite vaulters in the conference, both from Michigan State, will take part in the meet, provid- ing a sneak preview of what to expect at the Big.Ten Championships. The Wolverines also received indi- vidual victories at the Intercollegiate from Steve Lawrence in the 5000 meters and Jeremy Schneider in the 600 meters. But the storv of the day for Michigan was injuries. Sophomore Oded Padan made his return after being sidelined for the first five meets of the season placing third in the triple jump. After the meet, Padan complained of soreness in his leg but has looked good in practice this week, and coaches are pleased with his progress. At the other end of the spectrum, sprinter Ike Okenwa and hurdler Josh Sellers both sustained serious ham- string injuries and will be held out of this weekend's meet Their status for the Big Ten Championship is very much in doubt. "We're taking it day by day, LaPlante said. "But it's not looking good, and if the meet was today, neither of them could run." As for the distance runners, head coach Ron Warhurst has vet to make a decision on how much he will use them this week. But with Jay Cantin. Mike Wisnieswski and Steve Lawrence all safely qualified for the NCAA champi- onships, don't expect to see any of them carry their usual load. No Credit: No Problem! First Time Buyer Program If ou have the following- * At least $1600 verifyable monthly income * 6 months verified full-time job " No derogatory credit We Have The Car For You! Financing as low as 0.0% & Rebates from $500 along with financing immediate Answer! You Can Be Driving Today! 21425 WOODWARD, FERNDALE, MI 248-548-0444 M1ETRO www.motromnazdacicm -flB e - Mees' netters roll into Eastern By Brian Steere For the Daily Some people believe that dreams really can come true. Michigan tennis coach Mark Mees certainly does. After taking over the position last June from Brian Eisner, Mees expressed his jubilation. "I have dreamed of coming back and being the head coach ever since my playing days at Michigan," Mees said. "I am blessed to be able to live that dream." With his team heading into this week's match against Eastern Michigan at 4-0, Mees is definitely living that dream. The former 1983 All-American has guided the Wolverines to an undefeated start with a lineup that consists of both youth and experience. Four seniors and three sophomores make up the starting seven that hopes to bring home a Big Ten title. "Obviously our main goal is to win a Big Ten championship," senior Matt Wright said. "It would be a great way to end my career at Michigan" Michigan's quick 4-0 start over non- conference opponents, including No. 26 Washington and No. 40 Tulsa, proves that the team is for real. However, Mees knows that his players have a long way to go. "Everyone is excited about the quick start to the season, Mees said. "But we have yet to play our best tennis so it's important for the guys to keep improv- ing:' The players have a chance to show some improvement this Friday in a home match against Eastern Michigan. Michigan holds a 14-0 all-time advan- tage over the Eales and a win this Friday would give the Wolverines their first 5-0 start since the 1978-79 season. volunter in INFO MEETING Saturday February 19 Ann Arbor Call for details 11CD (616)782-0450 Wright and sophomore Henry Beam are both heading into the dual match with perfect 4-0 records. Wright is com- ing off his 80th career singles victory against Washington and Beam enters the match undefeated at No. 4 singles. Young Judaea I Programs Work in Israel! If you have been to Israel, are knowledgeable about Judaism and Zionism and have counselor/teen education experience, we've got a job for you! 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