The Michigan Daily - Thursday, February 5, 2004 - 1A Cagers look to avenge coach's past tourey loss By Eric Ambinder Daily Sports Writer Three years ago, while coaching at Southwest Mis- souri State, Cheryl Burnett got an itch. She got it from a 2001 NCAA Final Four loss to Purdue. It has bothered her ever since. Tonight, Burnett, now coaching Michigan, finally has a chance to scratch that lingering itch. A win against the fifth- ranked Boilermakers at Crisler Arena wouldn't be about revenge. It would be a step in get- ting Michigan to buy into Micbiga~ vs. No.6 Th~ri~ue. ThOp islet Arena Swimmers want 100th for coach By Gabe Edelson Daily Sports Writer Sources of inspiration will be easy to find when the No. 10 Michigan men's swimming and diving team takes on Michi- gan State this Friday at Canham Natatorium. The meet will conclude Michigan's 2003-04 dual meet schedule. Friday will be a time to celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of captain Dan Ketchum, 2002-03 NCAA Champion platform diver Jason Coben and the rest of the senior class. The outcome will count towards the Pontiac Challenge Cup, a year-long, all-sport battle between the Wolverines and Spartans. But, despite these many incentives, everybody seems to be thinking one thing. This one is for Jon. With a victory, departing head coach Jon Urbanchek, who has put together a Big Ten dual meet record of 99-4 in his 22 seasons as the head man at Michigan, would hit the century mark in wins. But a victory against Michigan State - to whom Urbanchek has never lost - is no more than a formality. It would be foolish to believe that anything other than Urbanchek's win could push this team harder. "The 100th win is just a huge deal," sophomore Davis Tar- water said. "The whole team's focus is just getting that win for Jon. It's going to be a bittersweet day for us, getting the win, but also watching him go." The milestone victory would allow second-year diving coach Chris Bergere to feel some sense of closure: "The coaches certainly are focused on (the 100th win)," Bergere said. "We just want to go out strong with Jon Urbanchek. He's been a great inspiration for our team. So as a whole, both swimming and diving, we just want to do Jon proud and do him justice, and really have a good time with celebrating his 100th win." While conveying his typical humility, Urbanchek nonethe- less realizes the momentous occasion at hand. "I never kept track of it," Urbanchek said. "It didn't really matter. But I suppose 100 is a good number. But with only four losses, I'm more proud of the percentage than the number." The departing seniors will not be forgotten in all the talk of their coach's feat. Friday will be the last chance for Ketchum, Coben, Dusty Garwood, Josh Hack, Mike Porth and Tim Wera to showcase their skills on the what Southwest Missouri State bought into during Bur- nett's initial years as head coach of that program. It took Burnett two seasons to turn around Southwest Missouri State. The Bears went from eighth in the Mis- souri Valley conference to first. A major reason for the improvement was getting the team to believe in a system - one that emphasizes defense and teamwork. "Their hard work will pay off," former Southwest Missouri State player and Michigan associate head coach Karen Rapier said. "It hasn't totally paid off for us yet, but we have to keep the faith that it will pay off at some point in time." For Burnett, there may not be a more opportune time than tonight. Purdue (7-1 Big Ten, 17-2 overall) boasts two of the nation's best players in forward Shereka Wright and point guard Erika Valek. Both are All-American candi- dates. And both were a part of the 2001 team that knocked Burnett and Southwest Missouri State out of the NCAA Final Four. "She was just a tremendous basketball player (then)," said Burnett about Wright in the Final Four. "So I can't imagine what she's like now." Some may think that the Wolverines (3-6, 10-12) are progressing too slowly this season. But, the Wolverines did recently experience, according to Rapier, a "major breakthrough." 0 During last Sunday's loss at Illinois, Michigan watched its best player, center Jennifer Smith, get even better. The senior shrugged off double teams and physical play - obstacles for her earlier in the season - to score 31 points and grab seven rebounds. It was a major step in Smith's development as a leader. Against Purdue, Smith needs to do what she has done so well this season - play effectively in the post. The Boilermakers' two best post players, Lindsey SHUBRA OHRI/Daily Michigan Junior Tabitha Pool has struggled from beyond the arc In recent games. Hicks and Emily Heikes, have not been consistent this season. "Obviously we have (had) some trouble with posts, much to my dislike," Purdue coach Kristy Curry said. "Lindsey and Emily have got to come to play. I expect more than what they are giving. It will be interesting because I love Jennifer Smith. I have always thought she was one of the best players in our league and in the country." But the Wolverines will need more than just Smith to beat Purdue. The Boilermakers have six players who average more than seven points per game. Michigan has just three - Smith, Tabitha Pool and Stephanie Gandy. Recent challengers have zoned-up against Smith in the post, realizing that Pool and Gandy have been strug- gling from three point range, shooting a combined 22 percent in the past five games. But Purdue plays mostly a man-to-man defense. Its style caters to Michigan's dump-in offense geared around Smith, the Big Ten's leading scorer with 21.5 points per-game. A win against the Big Ten's second best team tonight may brighten Michigan's dim hope of reaching the post season. It would also help Burnett establish a future to forget the past. TONY DING/Daily Diver Jason Coben won the 2002-03 NCAA Championship. Canham pool deck. "The leadership this year has been tremendous," Tarwatir said. "(Ketchum) is a captain and a leader in and out of the pool. He's a great motivator. He's a great friend to all of us. And that goes for the other guys too. They're going to 'be sorely missed next year." Urbanchek beams with pride when speaking of his team's captain. "Ketchum was just a wholesome leader," Urbanchek sail. "He's one of the most conscientious kids we've had in a long time. I think Dan raised the bar for captainship this year." Ketchum attributes his growth as a swimmer and as a per- son during his time in Ann Arbor to his "father away from home." "(My) biggest change as a person has been made through Jon," Ketchum said. "Seeing him leave is going to be a really big deal to me." The captain acknowledges that he will greatly miss the cozy confines of his home pool. "I've been thinking about (my last home meet), a lots" Ketchum said. "I'm never going to race in here again. I love this pool. I think it's the greatest pool in the world. I don't get emotional very often, but we'll see." The spectators at Canham on Friday evening will witness the departure of a special class of swimmers. But just remember one thing: This one (hundred) is for Jot. What? He'still got eligibility... Oh,, ure (Tom Brady) he means as a graduate assistant. r). He leaned for- "... Some of you are falling asleep [is only 19 years here..." 'm going to prove I was just resting my eyes, coach -I. at quarterback. I'm swear a that I can take " ... Alright, thank you. Good to see ionship.' And he you again!" What? It's over? Quick - someone. conference was douse Coach Carr with a cooler of e reporter next to Gatorade. 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