10B - The Michigan Daily - Thursday, September 9, 1999 Field hockey coaches use internationa experience to gain edge in Big Ten By Michael Kern Daily Sports Writer This summer playing for the U. S. national field hockey team in the Pan American Games, Michigan assistant coach Tracey Fuchs was forced to sit out of the United States' last two games leading into the gold medal game because of a 102 degree fever. Although Fuchs was still recovering heading into the finals, the national team captain turned in a gritty performance in the Americans 5-2 loss to Argentina, setting up the game tying goal just before the buzzer sounded to end the first half. Experiences like that one on the internation- al level are what make the Michigan coaching staff second to none in the nation. "They are the best coaching staff in the United States," senior Ashley Reichenbach said. "They draw their knowledge from all around the world." Joining Fuchs on the national team this sum- mer was assistant coach Peggy Storrar, who started in goal for the Americans in the gold medal game. Storrar allowed just five goals in the four games she started, posting three shutouts. "Our two goalkeepers are getting one-on- one teaching from the best goalkeeper in the nation right now," Michigan coach Marcia Pankratz said. "Not every school has that luxu- ry At the helm for the Wolverines is Michigan coach Marcia Pankratz whose experience on the international level includes being a two- time U.S. Olympian in 1988 and 1996, a World Cup bronze medalist in 1994, and two-time Pan American Games silver medalist in 1987 and 1995. Pankratz and Fuchs combined have partici- pated in over 250 international matches in the United States. Pankratz knows that her experi- ence and especially the experience of her assis- tants this summer in the Pan American Games give the Wolverines an edge over the rest of the Big Ten. "(Tracey) brings back the latest techniques, the latest ideas, and the latest tactics from the international level," Pankratz said. "It brings that directly to our program so that our kids are at the cusp of learning all of the new and best techniques in the world." Besides the latest techniques and tactics, the coaches also bring back to Michigan the latest conditioning methods from around the world the help the athletes and themselves remain in peak condition. "Our conditioning in the summer is at the highest level, Reichenbach said. "You could watch one practice and see drills from six dif- ferent countries. When we are out there doing workouts they are right there running with us, and that makes us go that much harder." Probably the most important aspect of the coaches international experience is their ability to relate to the players as athletes, having just experienced for themselves exactly what the players are going through now. "When we ask them questions they under- stand everything we are going through and where we have been..." sophomore Ali Balmer said. 'They know everything it takes, mentally and physically" Reichenbach said. While Pankratz and Fuchs have shared simi- lar paths on the field, playing together for the national team for over a decade, their reasons for coaching and their path to Michigan are very different. Initially, Fuchs only entered the college coaching ranks to stay in the game whilor ee continued her playing career for the .S. national team. Because of limited influence over the teams she worked with as an assistant, Fuchs didn't enjoy the work. But once she joined Michigan, she gained the freedom to make decisions about the Wolverines tactics on the field. One' tactic that Fuchs brought back from international competition is the zone defense that the Wolverines have implicated to hold opponents to just seven goals in their first four game. o "There are no more offsides in field hoc e- so a lot of teams have switched from man-to- man to zonal play with so much more of the field open' Fuchs said, "Seeing other coun- tries' zones and our own zone with the U.S. team, I am able to tweak our defensive zone" While Fuchs took a while to warm to her job on the sideline, Pankratz began her coaching career because of her love of teaching. Pankratz comes from a family of teachers. Her father taught school for more than 40 years. Before becoming a collegiate coach, Pankratz taught math in high school for a few years. Field hockey offered her the opportunity to combine her love of sport and her love of teaching. "I'm passionate about (field hockey) and I love being around young people and helping them to become successful young women when they leave Michigan," Pankratz said. "It just happens that field hockey is my vehicle to do that:" LOUIS BROWN/Dil The Michigan field hockey team has taken advantage of its coaches' experience on the international level to develop one of the top defenses in the nation. Williams to play despite injury Associated Press NEW ORLEANS-- Ricky Williams, the fifth pick in the NFL draft, is practicing with the New Orleans Saints again and will play in Sunday's season opener against the Carolina Panthers in the Louisiana Superdome. The rookie running back says he's still feeling pain after severely spraining his left ankle three weeks ago, but feels he can play despite the injury. "It's easy to play with pain," Williams said. "That hasn't been the problem the whole time. The whole thing wal to make sure I don't re-injure it. But now it's past that point. So it's all up to how much pain I can tolerate." Williams practiced Monday for the first time since the injury and will practice again with Saints during their next session Wednesday. "He looked good to me;" coach Mike Ditka said. "Is he 100 percent? No, he's not 100 percent. But I bet you he's 99.9.' Ditka said he would only hold back Williams from playing if he gets injured during practice this week. "There's no question he'll start Sunday unless some- thing stupid happens. That can always happen, but we hope not," Ditka said. Williams ran 15 plays in the team portion of Monday's two-hour workout in helmets, shoulder pads and shorts. He also did some extra conditioning running after practice. His work load will increase as the week progresses. Williams sprained his ankle on his ninth carry of the preseason during the team's exhibition opener against the Miami Dolphins on Aug. 13. Offensive coordinator Danny Abramowicz said Williams looked good during Monday's practice. "Once he got warmed up, he was fine," Abramowicz said. "I didn't see him favor the leg. He looked good." tarts at 7:00 p ,m .! Be there earl I '' Saturday, Sept. 11 vs. Arkansas 8 p.m. - Free schedule magnets and posters! U-M Students admitted free of charge! C . r t