14 - The Michigan Daily - Tuesday, March 6, 2001 Senior tankers leave school on high note By Kristen Fidh Daily Sports Writer Neither one has ever taken home an individual Big Ten Championship plaque. In fact, neither has even earned a top-five finish in a conference final. A week ago, two senior swimmers on the Michigan team hung their hats - successfully. "The graduating seniors swam just the way we like to see them end their career," Michigan men's swim- ming coach Jon Urbanchek said. G.J. Zann and Mike O'Connor made huge splashes in their final performances, finishing their respective races with personal-best times. After the Big Ten Championship on Feb. 22-24, the two officially ended their careers. "Both G.J. and Mike finished their careers with the highest note you can find in swimming," Urbanchek said. "They both earned their personal bests at the Big Ten Championship - our biggest meet of the season. It was huge for them." Zann, who did not compete last season, shed five seconds off his personal best in the 200-yard breast- stroke to finish third in the consolation heat, 11th overall, with a time of 2:00.62. The next day, he repeated his racing success with another personal best time of 55.74 in the 100 breaststroke, touching second in the consolation heat, finishing 10th overall. "The races were exciting," Zann said after the tour- nament. "I had never finished that high, and it was great having all the guys yell for me on the sides." O'Connor finished the 1650-yard freestyle with a time of 15:29.85, taking 1 lth place overall and earn- ing six points towards the Wolverine's runner-up fin- ish. This was over 12 seconds faster than his ninth-place finish in 2000. Baseball's MVP now* playing in pinstripes Senior G.J. Zann dives into the water in the 100-yard breaststroke consolation heat in the Big Ten Championships two weeks ago. Zann finished 10th overall with a personal-best time of 55.74. "I'm happy with it," O'Connor said after the race. "It was nice to finally get some points." But the senior had been earning points outside of the water since he first came to Michigan. For the past three years, O'Connor has earned both Academic All-Big Ten honors and Michigan Athletic Academic Achievement. In addition, he is one of only two swimmers that has ever been accepted to Michigan's business school. "He is an exceptional student, and it just shows that swimmers can have excellent academics as well as be wonderful athletes," Urbanchek said. Neither Zann nor O'Connor qualified for the NCAA Championships, but each will pass a virtue on to the team's underclassmen that characterizes Michigan's standard of constant improvement. Both swimmers slimmed their racing times throughout their four years, ending on a high note - a moral victory. "Because they had such significant improvement in their times, they swam exactly, the way we like to see all seniors go out," Urbanchek said. "They left their mark during their time at Michigan, and we are proud of them." By Steve Jackson Daily Sports Writer DUNEDIN, Fla. - While the Wolverines opened their season in Lakeland, Fla., the World Champion New York Yankees were starting their 2001 campaign just down the road. And Michigan's MVP from last sea- son, David Parrish, was with them - making his professional debut in pinstripes. Parrish, one of six catchers in Yankee camp, wore the number 89 on his back - broadcasting his sta- tus as a non-roster invitee. "I just want to take full advantage of this opportunity before I go back to the minor league complex," Parrish said. Although David, son of current Detroit Tigers third base coach Lance Parrish, was far from the biggest name on the team, crowds still gathered to get his autograph. "You better put that in a box some- where," one man told his grandson. "That'll be worth something some- day." But Parrish wasn't in town to just soak up the limelight. He was there to learn. "I've been doing anything I can," Parrish said. "Talking to the other catchers, coaches, hitters, pitchers - anything they know, I want to know." Before New York's spring training opener against Toronto, Parrish was in the bullpen warming up that after- noon's starter - Dwight Gooden. The Yankees' first round choice in 2000 made his first appearance two days later, on Saturday, replacing Joe Oliver behind the plate. His line for the day - 0 for 1, with a passed ball. STREAKIN': Senior co-captain Scott Tousa had at least one hit in 22-straight games dating back to last season before going :0-for-4 in the second game at South Florida on March 1. "He has been outstanding," Michigan coach Geoff Zahn said. "He is a leader on the field, and he really plays hard." While Tousa's impressive string came to an end in Florida, his dou- ble-play partner, Bill LaRosa, extended his streak to 17 games by hitting safely in all seven of his games last week. 2,300 SERVED: Michigan also reached a team milestone while in the Sunshine State. With its most recent win against South Florida, the Wolverines ran their all-time record to 2,300-1,247-37. Michigan base- ball has been competing since 1866. WALKING IN THEIR SLEEP: The 10- 4 win that pushed Michigan to the 2,300 mark was aided dramatically by the ridiculous amount of free passes the Bulls gave them. All nine Wolverines tallied walks for a total of 13 before the evening was over. PLAY THAT FUNKY Music: The sound system in South Florida's Red McEwen Field added life to a game bogged down by walk after walk. An alternative rock-style compila- tion, including music from Foo Fighters, Smashmouth, Green Day and Everlast provided the soundtrack for the evening. The event was even equipped with* a windshield-shattering sound effect that was played for foul balls, scar- ing more than a few patrons the first time it was played. Overall, the ambiance earned four- and-a-half stars out of five - omit- ting Nirvana cost it a perfect score. Youth movement The young Wolverines have just three players on the squad with SO or more games played, led by seniors Scott Tousa and Bill LaRosa. MICHIGAN's ACTIvE ToP 10 IN GAMES PLAYED : Whitley stays cool under pressure at combine By Jim Weber Daily Sports Writer INDIANAPOLIS - Ever since the morning of Dec. 14, former Michigan football players David Terrell and James Whitley have gone in opposite direc- tions. Early that morning, the police stopped the duo outside of a Hill Street apart- ment after Terrell's ex-girlfriend called the police claiming he was breaking into her apartment. Terrell was not charged with any crime. But Whitley was arrest- 4d for carrying a concealed weapon after the police found a gun inside his jacket. Whitley, a co-captain, was dismissed from the football team by coach Lloyd Carr later that day. He then went to trial on a felony charge, facing up to five years in prison. Meanwhile, Terrell went on to catch four balls for 136 yards and a touch- down in the Citrus Bowl and was defended by his former coach. "1 want to make it clear: He's a good Former Michigan co-captain James Whitley hopes that he will be wearing an NFL uniform next fall. After being .: arrested for carry-. ing a concealed .. weapon, Whitley was at the NFL combine trying to . make teams forget his past. AP PHOTO ; person, he's a great kid and he's done a great job for Michigan," Carr said after the Citrus Bowl victory. Both players were at the NFL com- bine in Indianapolis last weekend, but they faced entirely different situations. While Terrell is prepping for his workout on March 16 in order to hold onto his projected top-five spot, Whitley was at the event to improve his draft position, as his status is not as promis- ing. "You can definitely improve your sta- tus. Come up, show up, physically fit, zero problems, zero health issues, do well in personal workouts," said Whitley of how to have an impressive combine. Obviously, he didn't seem bothered by the recent felony charge and an arrest in April of 1999 on suspicion of delivery of marijuana - Whitley only received a ticket for driving with a suspended license, but was suspended in the offsea- son by coach Lloyd Carr. Whitley also seemed unconcerned about questions about his image during personal interviews at the combine. "That is where the team gets an over- all impression of what type of guy you are - your character" said Whitley, explaining the importance of the inter- views players had with NFL teams. If Whitley can make teams forget about his problems with the law, he can certainly overcome an unimpressive 40- yard dash time. Whitley's agents were unavailable for information on his times at the combine. But before his workout Whitley said he was a "sub 4.5 guy." "I'm not fast at all," Whitley joked. John Clayton of ESPN, although unfamiliar with the situation, seemed more concerned about Whitley's legal problems. "It's a possibility that, if he is found guilty with any kind of a gun charge, he will start off with a suspension," Clayton said. He also asserted that NFL teams usu- ally only overlook problems with the law in the case of great players. An exception Food For Thought Who was the better fighter? When one American pilot was forced to abort a bomb- ing mission over North Vietnam due to the weather, he spotted a column of tanks heading for South Vietnam, so he diverted and attacked the tanks. He was later fined $500 for leaving his approved corridor. More to come in future ads. Gary Lillie & Assoc., Realtors www.garylillie.com for Whitley seems unexpected, as he was already not one of the top prospects in the draft. Rivals.com rates Whitley as the 27th-best cornerback available. With all these obstacles, Whitley still believes he can become a good corner in the NFL. "I'm an aggressive corner," Whitley said. "I learn the game fairly quick. I just have will power." Although Whitley might not become an NFL star, he will overcome his biggest challenge if he just makes it into the league - being on the football field rather than behind bars. PLAYER Pos GP 1. Scott Tousa 2. Bill LaRosa 3. Brock Koman 4. Jordan Cantalam 5. Nick Alexander 6. Jeff Trzos 7. Blake Rutkows 8. Bobby Korecky 9. Vince Pistilli 10. Mike Sokol iessa ki IF IF IF/DH IF/OF P 1B/P OF P- P IF/OF 149 54 51 47 45 44 39 38 36 30 I m IF YOU THINK A NIGHT IN A FOXHOLE IS TOUGH, TRY A LIFETIME IN A CUBICLE. 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