2B - The Michigan Daily - Monday, January 7, 2002 *1 CLUBSPORTSWEEKLY - Edited by Kareem Copeland and Jim Weber Nationals are in sight agaln for Equestrians Real kings of the jungle ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Who: Elise Ray Hometown: Columbia, Md. Sport: Women's Gymnastics Year: Sophomore What: The Wolverines finished third in their opening tournament in Maui on Friday. Ray began her season with a near-perfect score of 9.975 on the uneven bars - a career best in the event. The score helped her earn a tie for fourth overall with two other Wolverines (Calli Ryals and Kallie Steffes), with a score of 38.6. By Shannon Pettypiece Daily Staff Reporter Equestrian team member Nicky Meyer has been showing horses since she was in kindergarten. During high school she could be found around hors- es almost six days a week. For Meyer, riding horses is not just a hobby, but also something she hopes to pursue as a career after college. This made a good equestrian team essential in her college choice. "I rode a lot beforehand so I knew I wanted to do something with riding in college," said Meyer. Despite not being able to devote as much time to horseback riding as she did before college, Meyer said the equestrian team has offered her a new way to look at the sport. "It's totally different, just how you show and the whole kind of atmos- phere. I think this year we are really figuring out the whole team aspect of it," said Meyers. Although riders like Meyers have been competing all their lives, there are no requirements to be a member of the team, said equestrian team president and LSA senior Liz Cook. "There' is no experience necessary," Cook said. "We're really evenly distrib- uted this year, we have people who have been riding all their lives and peo- ple who just started with us." Riders of all levels can succeed as a competitive member of the team because there are classes for beginner to advanced level riders, Cook said. "As soon as you can ride safely you can easily start placing," she said. Cook said while there has been an equestrian team at the University for around 10 years, during the past several years the team has become more com- petitive. Last year, Meyer placed first in her division at nationals, and this year, with only three shows left, the team is in a good position to go to nationals again. "Right now we are leading the region," Cook said. "The first-place winner at regions goes to zone and the first-place team from zone goes to national. You can go as a team or as an individual based on the number of points you get over the year. We already have a few people who have qualified for regional." While the team has become more competitive, there are many other aspects to being a member than partici- pating in the horse shows. The team members have gone to watch events in Kentucky and the Quarter Horse Nationals, attended some of the big horse expos in the region and routinely gathered for various social activities. "It's not required to show. So, we have anywhere between 15 to 20 girls who show. A lot of people are on the team just for the social aspect and just like to be around horses and enjoy rid- ing," Cook said. Currently, the Equestrian Team com- petes through the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association and is not consid- ered a varsity or club sport by the Uni- versity. "We are not even a club sport, we are a club through MSA," said Cook. "Equestrian riding is an emerging sport through the NCAA." In the future the team hopes to gain varsity sports status, said Cook. "A few years down the road we would love to be a varsity sport, but right now we are just taking it year by year," Cook said. Ray SPOR T BRIEFS AP PHOTO Former Michigan running back Anthony Thomas rushed for 160 yards yesterday to help Chicago defeat Jacksonville 33-13 and clinch a first-round bye in the playoffs. Wednesday, Jan. 9- M Basketball at Minnesota, 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10 W Basketball vs. Ohio State, 7 p.m. Friday. Jan. 11 M Swim/Diving vs. Stanford, 6 p.m. Hockey vs. Alaska-Fairbanks, 7:35 p.m. Wrestling at Oregon, 10:30 p.m.r M Tennis at Milwaukee Tennis Classic Saturday, Jan. 12u M Track/Field at Indiana Dual, 12:30 p.m. W Track/Field at Indiana Dual, 12:30 p.m. M Swim/Diving vs. Stanford, 1 p.m. W Wrestling at Oregon State, 4 p.m. TOM FELDKAMP/DAILY M Basketball at Illinois, 4:37 p.m. Sunday is the home opener for Hockey vs. Alaska-Fairbanks, 7:35 p.m. the women's gymnastics team. M Gymnastics at Windy City Invitational, 8 p.m. M Tennis at Milwaukee Tennis Classic Sunday, Jan.13 W Gymnastics vs. N. Illinois (Cliff Keen Arena), 2 p.m. W Basketball at Penn State, 2 p.m. M Tennis at Milwaukee Tennis Classic Lions win Dome finale to go 2-2 1n final four Shanahan joins Stoops as Florida candidates GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) - With the recruiting season about to resume, Florida moved closer yesterday to an important deadline to hire a new coach, and Bob Stoops of Oklahoma was still the leading candidate. Citing sources, The Gainesville Sun and Orlando Sentinel reported Athletic Director Jeremy Foley offered the Okla- homa coach the job and a raise of between $400,000 and $1 million from the $2 million a year he makes now. A source close to the football pro- gram, however, told The Associated Press yesterday that no offer had been made. A day earlier, the same source told AP that Stoops was the top candidate. Also yesterday, Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, a good friend of Foley's and long considered one of his favorite coaches, said he'd be willing to talk about the opening. "We always teased each other that if the job were open, he'd talk to me," Shanahan said.. "Obviously, he's a friend of mine and I would talk to him about it. I'm very happy here. I've got a contract and I intend on keeping that contract, but that doesn't mean I won't sit down and talk with Jeremy.". Shanahan's contract pays about $4 million a year and he would almost cer- tainly take a pay cut. He has a new house in Denver, and his reputation is still strong, even though the Broncos have had three straight disappointing seasons after two straight Super Bowl titles. Detroit beats on Roy- less Avs to even series DETROIT (AP) - While many are impressed with the Detroit Red Wings; their captain, Steve Yzerman, refuses to get caught up in the hoopla. Igor Larionov and Brendan Shanahan scored less than two minutes apart early in the third period as the Red Wings beat Colorado 3-1 to extend their home unbeaten streak to six games. Detroit, which easily has the NHL's best record, avenged last month's 4-1 loss at home to the defending Stanley Cup champions. "They're still the top team in the league, despite our record," said Yzer-' man, who assisted on the final goal: "You'd like to play the top teams with their top players because that makes your better. They're missing about five guys." The Avalanche were without goal- tender Patrick Roy, who missed a sec- ond straight game with the flu. Among the other Avalanche players out were: Alex Tanguay (ankle), Stephane Yelle (knee), Adam Foote (knee) and Peter Forsberg, who hasn't played at all this season because of various injuries. ; Roy's backup, David Aebischer, start-i ed strong, but was unable to hold off the league's highest-scoring team. "M)NOO TIE5 DAILY SCOREBOARD Schneider has lone win for Men's Track Although the event was not scored, the Michigan men's track and field team began its season with top finishes throughout the Jack Harvey Invitational in Ann Arbor on Saturday. Returning all but eight competi- tors from the 2001 season, the Wolverines had 10 top-three finish- ers, including one individual cham- pion. Seniors Jeremy Schneider and Ike Okenwa provided the most exciting race of the day in the 400-meter dash. The two finished first and second, respectively, with Schneider crossing the line only .03 seconds in front of Okenwa. The two ran that event once more on the day in the 4x400-meter relay, along with junior Kevin Lamb and sophomore Christopher Yee for a second-place finish behind Eastern Michigan. The relay was one of six events in which the Wolverines finished second. Lamb earned his second runner-up spot in the 200-meter dash. In field events, high jumper Robert Arnold, pole vaulter Brent Sheffer and long jumper David Malonson each placed second in their respective events. Michigan next competes at Indi- ana on Jan. 12 to begin its Big Ten season. NFL STANDINGS AMERICAN CONFERENCE Eastern Division NHL STANDINGS i a EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division New England Miami N.Y. Jets Indianapolis Buffalo Central Division Pittsburgh Baltimore Cleveland Tennessee Jacksonville Cincinnati Western Division Oakland Seattle Denver Kansas City San Diego W 11 11 10 6 3 W 13 9 7 7 6 6 w 10 9 8 6 5 NFL Playoff Picture AFC Division Champions: Oakland (10-6), New England (11-5), Pittsburgh (13-3) Wild Card Berths: Miami (11-5), NY Jets (10-6), Baltimore (9-6) or Seat- tle (9-7) 1st Round Games: Baltimore/Seattle at Oakland and NY Jets at Miami NFC Division Champions: St. Louis (14-2), Chicago (13-3), Philadelphia (10-5) Wild Card Berths: Green Bay (12-4), San Francisco (12-4), Tampa Bay (9-6) 1st Round Games: Tahpa Bay at Philadelphia and San Francisco at Green Bay PONTIAC (AP) - A record for Emmitt Smith and a rare victory for the Detroit Lions brightened the last NFL game at the Silverdome. The Dallas Cowboys' star became the first running back to reach 1,000 yards in 11 straight seasons in the Lions' 15-10 win yesterday. He broke the record he shared with former Lion Barry Sanders on a 13-yard run on his 13th carry late in the third quarter. Smith ran for 77 yards and a touch- down on 18 carries to finish his season with 1,021 and increase his career total to 16,187, behind only Walter Payton's 16,726. Ty Detmer threw a 16-yard touch- down pass to Johnnie Morton with 5:37 left for the game-winner. Despite the victory, the Lions (2-14) matched the worst record in franchise history. Still, after starting the season with 12 straight losses, they're happy just to blend in among the worst teams in NFL history instead of being the first 0-16 team or joining Carolina and six other teams with 1-15 records. The Cowboys finished 5-11 for the second straight year. Detroit's go-ahead touchdown drive started with Cory Schlesinger's 20- yard run and Aveion Cason's 19-yard run. After Schlesinger ran for two yards on a third-and-one at the Dallas 18, Detmer connected with Morton for the touchdown. The two-point conver- sion failed. The sold-out crowd went wild as Morton dropped to the turf after the touchdown and undulated his body with a dance called "The Centipede." Safety Marty Carter intercepted Quincy Carter's long lob at Detroit's 19 to hurt Dallas' comeback hopes. The Cowboys forced Detroit to punt after three plays, which gave them the ball back on their 40 with 3:23 left. But Dallas turned the ball over on downs less than a minute later, all but ending the game. Lots of exposed steel, a sea of con- crete, an inflated fiberglass roof - and no championships - were the reasons the last game at the Silverdome did not move fans to tears. Numerous Lions players shook hands and slapped hands with fans in the front for about 10 minutes after the game. After playing 30 miles north of Detroit for 27 years, the Lions will return downtown next season to play at Ford Field, a new $315 million indoor stadium that will play host to the 2006 Super Bowl. Detmer, subbing for injured rookie Mike McMahon for the second game, was 24-of-40 for 242 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Mor- ton caught eight passes for 86 yards and a touchdown. L T 5 0 5 0 6 0 10 0 13 0 L T 30 60 9 0 9 0 1 0 1 0 L T 6 0 7 0 8 0 100 11 0 L T 5 "0 8 0 9 0 9 0 11 0 L T 3 0 4 0 6 0 10 0 14 0 L T 2 0 4 0 9 0 9 0 15 0 Pct. .688 .688 .625 .375 .188 Pct. .813 .600 .438 .438 .375 .375 Pct. .625 .533 .500 .375 .311 Pct. .667 .500 .438 .438 .455 Pct. .813 .750 .600 .333 .125 Pct. .875 .750 .438 .438 .063 PF PA 371 272 344 290 308 295 413 486 265 420 PF PA 352 212 284 262 285 319 336 388 294 286 226 309 PF PA 399 327 302 324 340 339 320 344 332 321 NY Rangers Philadelphia NY Islanders New Jersey Pittsburgh Northeast Division Toronto Boston Ottawa Montreal Buffalo Southeast Division Carolina Washington Tampa Bay Florida Atlanta WESTERN.CONFERENCE Central Division W 22 21 20 18 15 W 24 23 21 17 15 W 20 16 15 13 8 NATIONAL CONFERENCE Eastern Division W Philadelphia 10 Washington 8 N.Y. Giants 7 Arizona 7 Dallas 5 Central Division Chicago Green Bay Tampa Bay Minnesota Detroit Western Division St. Louis San Francisco New Orleans Atlanta Carolina W 13 12 9 5 2 W 14 12 7 7 1 PF 326 256 294 295 246< PF1 338 390 311 287 270 PF 503 409 333 291 253 PA 195 303 321 343 338 PA 203 266 263 371 424 PA 273 282 409 408 410 L T OTL Pts GF GA 173 3 50125131 125 1 48 115 87 135 2 47 111104 155 2 43 94 96 185 2 3789 113 L T OTL Pts GF GA 1233 54126101 123 4 53 120 99 154 1 47 132 101 175 2 41 102 111 214 1 35 111 113 L T OTL Pts GF GA 155 5 50 124 132" 197 0 39121135 203. 2. 35. 78.. -0- 223 3 32 85 123 255 3 2494 152 L T OTL Pts GF GA 8 3 2 65 135 93 128 0 56128117 126 3 4911292 187 0 37 106 108 236 1 27 74 111 L T OTL Pts GF GA 146 .2 52 114 100 165 0 51 107 90 148 2 46105106 224 0 40 113 118 176 3 39 105 122 L T OTL Pts GF GA 116 3 51 122 95 13 6 4 46 112 108 156 3 45 105 109 167 2 41 107 97 235 3 34 94 112 Detroit Chicago St. Louis Nashville Columbus Northwest Division Edmonton Colorado Calgary Vancouver Minnesota Pacific Division W 30 24 20 15 10 W 22 23 18 18 15 W San Jose2 Dallas Phoenix2 Los Angeles 1 Anaheim1 NHL GAMES 21 18 18 16 13a NFL GAMES p U I U I - Mm- FREE DELIVERY SUBa SALADS 741-2567 113 E. Liberty St. SEK hE I CATERING SPECIAL 6" SUBo $5.00 OFF 6 SU Boo | A QQ 010111111 0ODDI With The Purchase Of Any . A 0 0 0 Sub Of Equal Or Greater I . OFF Value & A32-oz Drink I ADO 00000000000J ODD Please Dresent this coupon before or0erinO urelease Oresent this coupon before oraerinOO couOon Der custo~er Der OlsItO OustoOer Q 6jou~on Der custaoer Der OlsitO OustoOer OustsaeDoD cOyany sales tO Ou0eO DOt 000 In coObna' saes taO Oue at 000 i co binatln Otli OitOth anyy others offertjO a t OaliO Oth Valueie e,, Qther offerQ oOa DalO OthValue Oenu or DoE or Oobo OealsO Do cash OalueO Offer eDiealsODo0 ,cashDalueO]Offer eODires 0203000 020300000 ° SAT.& SUN. ' Buy One Footiong 501t Get One OF FREE! Purchase Of Any With Purchase Of I 6" Sub 32-oz Drink , Please Oresent this coupon before or~erinDo Please Oresent this coupon before oroerinOO 0iecou~on Der custo~er Der DisitO Ousto~er 0 cou'on aer custoerOer"sitO OustoOer0utay any a Qitional sales taO OueO""oat0Doc 0ay any ao0tional sales taO OueO Dot OoogliwoObination 11th any other offerO Oot OallO cobinat"on Othany other offerO Dot OsIlO h~alue Denu or Dobo OealsO Do cash Oaluc Value Oenu or Oogbo OealsO 0o cash alue Offer e00ires 02030000 Offer eOD'ires 020300000 Yesterday's games CHICAGO 33. Jacksonville 13 DETRoIT 15, Dallas 10 Cincinnati 23, TENNESSEE 21 INDIANAPOLIS 29, Denver 10 San Francisco 38, NEW ORLEANS 0 Green Bay 34, NY GIANTS 25 PITTSBURGH 28, Cleveland 7 WASHINGTON 20, Arizona 17 New England 38, CAROLINA 6 ST. Louis 31, Atlanta 13 MIAMI 34, Buffalo 7 NY Jets 24, OAKLAND 22 SEATTLE 21, Kansas City 18 Philadelphia at TAMPA BAY, 8:30 p.m. Today's game Minnesota at BALTIMORE, 9 p.m. Maize-n-blue.. ... in Honolulu. On Feb. 9, a number of former Wolverines will be making trips to Hawaii for the NFL Pro Bowl. QB Tom Brady, New England in his first year as a starter, Brady was 11-3 with over 2,800 yards passing and 18 touchdowns. He helped the Patriots win the AFC East division en route to his first Pro Bowl trip. CB Charles Woodson, Oakland Although Woodson only had one interception this season, his abili- ty to take wide receivers out of the game earned him his third trip to Honolulu in the past four years. Special teamer Ian Gold, Denver Gold, although not playing line- backer as he did at Michigan, has adjusted well to being a spe- cial teams player. His 17 tackles and wedge-busting knack on kick- offs earned him his first Pro Bowl trip. Yesterday's. games COLUMBUS 4, Nashville 3 Philadelphia 4, CAROLINA 3 Buffalo at MINNESOTA Pittsburgh at CHICAGO NY Islanders at ATLANTA Montreal at EDMONTON Tampa Bay at PHOENIX Today's games Toronto at OTTAWA, 7 P.M. Fjorlda at WASHINGTON, 7 P.M. Los Angeles at NEW JERSEY, 7:30 P.M. Tomorrow's games Vancouver at BUFFALO, 7 P.M. Calgary at NY ISLANDERS, 7 P.M. Atlanta at PHILADELPHIA, 7 P.M. Boston at PITTSBURGH, 7:30 P.M. Dallas at TAMPA BAY, 7:30 P.M. Nashville at TORONTO, 7:30 P.M. Montreal at MINNESOTA, -8 P.M. St. Louis at SAN JOSE, 10P.M. NBA STANDINGS EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division t r d i S t - a Z . e T r i fi New Jersey Boston Washington Orlando New York Philadelphia Miami Central Division Milwaukee Indiana Toronto Detroit Charlotte Cleveland Atlanta Chic ago W 21 20 17 17 14 14 7 W 18 20 18 16 14 13 12 6 m L PCT 11 .656 12 .625 14 .548 18 .486 18 .438 19 .424 23.233 L PCT 12 .600, 15 .571 14 .562 15 .516 18 .438 20 .394 20 .375 26 .188 L PCT 8 .742 9 .719 11 .667 16 .515 21 .323 23.303. 23 .281 L PCT 6 .793 9 .735 15 .545 16 .529 16 .500 18 .438 21.364 GB PFI - 95.8 .5 97.4 1 92.9 2.594 5 94 6.5 92.4 7 94.7 13 85.1 95 96.5 92.4 ,- 92.5..4 96.6 95.7 99.8 " 95.1 GB PF PA - 95.2 91.8 1 95.1 92.6 3.5 91.4 91 5.5 100.5 98.2 7 89.6 91.7 7.5 87.6 87.5 13 83.3 88 PA WESTERN CONFERENCE Midwest Division San Antonio Minnesota Dallas Utah Denver Houston Memphis Pacific Division LA Lakers Sacramento LA Clippers Phoenix Seattle Portland Golden State w 23 23 22 17 10 10 .9 w 23 25 18 18 16 14 12 GB PF PA - 100.5 92.6 .5 101.2 94.6 2 103.199.3 7 96.6 95.9 13 92.8 97 14 90.5 95.7 14.590.2 96.6 GB PF PA - 100.5 91.3 .5 102.1 95.7 7 ,95.9 94.2 7.5"98.6 97.4 8.5 97.8 97.5, 10.5 93.4 94.9 13 94.7 99.4 .4 NBA GAMES Yesterday's games LA Lakers 109, ToRONTO 89 Mile'