10A The Michigan Daily -Thursday, February 8, 2001 'M' expects 'qualifier' at Penn State By Rhonda Gilmer Daily Sports Writer Now it matters. Speed and stamina are a must. Possessing one of the top three fastest NCAA tracks, Penn State invites the Michigan women's track team to the Nittany Lion Qualifier tomorrow and Saturday. As the first qualifying meet of the season, competition could be fierce. With Big Tens and the NCAA Championships on the horizon, many athletes are looking to qualify for bigger competitions at this week- end's meet. What could be considered as a pre- Big Tens, the Wolverines will get a chance to see how they compare with some higher-ranked conference teams before they meet them in duals later this year. "The top four or five teams from the conference will be at this meet," Michigan coach James Henry said. "We have expectations that most ath- letes will run their personal bests." Hopefully, the Wolverines will not remain in the shadow of last week's disappointing performance. A loss to Purdue might have adjusted the Wolverines' outlook on how they'll fare against other Big Ten teams this season. "We hope to be in the mix of it," Henry said regarding placement. "Considering that it's a scoring com- petition with 10 other teams, we are trying to finish in the top three or four. We've geared ourselves up for this meet." Keeping this in mind, time serves as a greater focus this weekend. What the Wolverines do not know is how fast other teams are or might be. Penn State is described as being an improved team, but, how much, no one knows. . In track and field, teams are con- stantly reevaluated and any differ- ence could change their appearance. "Penn State is an outstanding team in the conference and they have a brand new facility," Henry said. Another team that could play a factor is Georgetown. Currently, the Bulldogs have a strong distance and middle distance program. In comparison, the Wolverines have a balanced program between sprints and distance. STATE COLLEGE Who: Four of the top five teams from the Big Ten along with select teams nationally. When: 5 p.m. tomorrow, 11 a.m. Saturday Latest: Michigan returns to full strength in a meet that many runners will use to try to quali- fy for the Big Ten and NCAA Championships. Having these similarities, Georgetown will probably try to upset the Wolverines during the dis- tance portion. But Michigan should be healthy enough to return many of the runners who ran so strongly through cross country season. Factoring in Ohio State, the Wolverines should expect a close challenge during the 1600-meter relay. Restoring experienced runners back into the lineup, Henry might lessen the load for each runner com- peting in the racb. "Ohio State's strength is in sprints and hurdles," Henry said. MARK 0 FRANCESCUTTI C US AD ERSlot of zone, so we'll work on our zone, offense and our running game," Guevara Continued from Page 8A said. the Wolverines an opportunity to see if One of the Crusaders' biggest threats1 they can execute against a zone defense. may be Amanda Abraham, who went to "I have a feeling we're going to see a high school just minutes away from Ann -r Arbor at Plymouth-Salem. Abraham is second on the team in scoring, averaging 11 points a game, and she is a long-ball threat, nailing 38 percent of her shots from behind the arc. "Anytime a kid leaves the state and then plays against a state school, they always are jacked," Guevara said. Michigan assistant coach Eileen Shea sent a scout to check out the Crusaders' strong points and gave the scoop to Guevara. "They're a very disciplined basketball team' Guevara said. "They run a lot of off-ball screens, they hustle and they're very scrappy. I anticipate it's gonna be a pretty rough game." Winning for Michigan is important because Guevara feels her team needs 18 wins to be a strong contender for a berth in the NCAA tournament. Right now the team has 14, and coming up are games against a tough Illinois squad, a ranked Penn State team on the road and a con- test versus Iowa who clobbered the Wolverines the last time they played. H E DAILY GR IND Th Cutti~g Edge Awards W elcome to the first-annual Evanston unnoticed. But his key drop Cutting Edge awards, devel- on fourth down could have made him oped in the tradition of the a marked man in the lackluster sports Oscars, Emmys and Grammys (but town. Thankfully for Anderson, not in the tradition of the Blockbuster Michigan's Anthony Thomas outdid Awards, TV Guide Awards and Teen Anderson's blunder, fumbling the Choice Awards). game away. A high-tense, high-pow- Tonight's awards pay respect to ered instant classic, the Michigan- some of the notable people and events Northwestern game will go down as of the past year in Michigan sports. one of the most sad, but entertaining, Ok, the Joan Rivers fashion games in Michigan history. preshow is over. Lloyd Carr has a WORST SCRIPT - Michigan baske slick tuxedo on. ball's offense - The Wolverines are Now on to the awards. so predictable that WJR just puts in BEST ORIGINAL SCORE - Duke 34, old tapes to call their halfcourt Michigan 2 - It's unbearable to even offense. remember. Feel worse for ESPN, "Avery Queen dribbles the ball which saw its ratings plummet when down, pass to Blanchard, back to all of the television sets in Michigan Bernard Robinson. Ten seconds on ti turned to "Martha Stewart Living's shot clock. Robinson can't get into ti Saturday Night Special" on how to paint to Josh Asselin. Back to Queen grow the biggest cucumber. One second on the shot clock, Queer BEST DIRECTOR - Bill Martin - throws up a three that barely touches The Athletic Department is in a much the rim." Rewind and repeat. more healthy position both financially BEST COMEDY - Football's defen- and internally. Coaches, players and sive backfield - The old Woodson administrative staff, for the most part, days of superior coverage are gone. have never been happier. Now, the Wolverines give up 243 LEAST SUPPORTING DIRECTOR - yards per game through the air. How Bill Martin - Deadbeat dads show many times did Brandon Williams or more support for their illegitimate Todd Howard fall down? It's no won children than this athletic director der Justin Fargas left for USC. He does for Michigan coach Brian probably didn't want to be a safety. Ellerbe. After the embarrassing Don't worry, they'll be much better blowout loss at home to Michigan next year. State, Martin gave Ellerbe little c6nfi- BEST SONG -'N Sync's "Bye Bye dence. Bye" - Lance, J.C., Justin, Joey anc Betcha Martin is kicking himself Chris plan to sing their big hit at for promising not to fire Ellerbe until Crisler Arena for Brian Ellerbe at the the end of the season. end of the season. BEST NEW DIRECTOR - Men's soc- BEST SUPPORTING ROLE - cer coach Steve Burns - Burns took Football's offensive line - Drew several club players, mixed them in Henson was able to balance his over with varsity recruits and enjoyed a flowing checkbook in the pocket fine inaugural season. His hard work thanks to Steve Hutchinson, Jeff earned men's soccer its due status. A Backus and Maurice Williams (who new field and greater exposure will should all be NFL first-rounders). Th come. group definitely takes the cake as th BEST DRAMA (WITH AN UNHAPPY best offensive line in Michigan histc ENDING) - Football vs. Northwestern ry. - Damien Anderson can walk down - Mark Francescutti can be reachi the streets of less-than-football-savvy at mfrances@umich.e< I":w 2. re 0 d [e. ,e4 !du. .,, What a difference 4. -. _, the train makes! ww.sprinbrea. s65d.co 0 - .. ~ 4 r c t 1$ l Enjoy the comfort and convenience of traveling with Amtrak this spring. Student Advantage"*Members save 15%* on rail fares to over 500 destinations all year long, including Spring Break. To join Student Advantage, call 1-877-2JO1N-SA or visit studentadvantage.com. For AmtrakĀ® information and reservations, call 1-877-632-3788 or visit www.amtrak.com. *Not valid on peak weekday Metroliner" or Acela Express" Trains and Canadian portions of trains operated jointly by Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada or on connecting services via non-Amtrak carriers. 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