1OA - The Michigan Daily - Thursday, February 12, 2004
4I
Netters'
By Gabrieia D'Jaen
Daily Sports Writer
Can an attitude off the court
player's performance in the middl
Many members of the Michi
noticed a huge improvement in te
factored into the team's unblemis
As the lone senior on the team
has noticed a significant changei
past two years. Not only has th
risen, but the dedication of i
improved along with it.
' "It makes it easier to go to pra
said. "You want to do well when
players who are competitive as we
At this time last year, the Wo
enced three loses. Currently boas
experienced a boost in player con
"It's a completely different atm
Vinny Gossain said.
' "Everyone is starting to get t
expected to win, as opposed to
matches."
Gossain, who plays doublesv
explained that each player mus
secure a win for the team to tak
who are always expected to win.
. Two weeks ago, the Wolverine
was nationally ranked No. 33 at t
1 Surprisingly, the match's one 1o
ranked player and co-captain, ju
implied that Rubin's loss might h
the team.
"We are used to relying on 1
Michael doesn't have a good day
five guys behind him who are con
attitude leads to success
of a burden for him to win."
The supportive and encouraging attitude of the older players
provides an important base of team unity for the younger play-
really make an impact on a ers. The coaches expect quality performances from freshmen
[e of a match? Brian Hung, Ryan Heller and Peretz, while the older players
gan men's tennis team have would like to see this trio contribute more to the team's bond-
am chemistry that has greatly ing experiences.
,hed record so far this season. All three freshmen are undefeated in dual-match singles
this season, Anthony Jackson play, and have worked hard to integrate themselves into the rest
in the team's attitude over the of the team.
e level of talent on the team Gossain has told the freshmen that "we all love to win
ndividual players has also matches and be successful, (but) at the end of your college
career, many of the memorable moments with the team occur
ctice and work hard," Jackson off the court."
you are surrounded by great The Wolverines return to the hardcourt after two weeks off.
ell as your friends." They will face Toledo this Saturday for their fifth straight
lverines had already experi- home match of the season. Even though Michigan has won its
ting a 4-0 mark, the team has past thirteen encounters versus the Rockets, players' work ethic
fidence and energy. in practice has not let up and the team seems to be as diligent
osphere than last year," junior as ever.
Many players are approaching benchmark numbers in wins
hat mentality where you are this weekend. Jackson has the possibility of reaching his 40th
o just trying to hang in the dual-match singles win, while Gossain and both Rubin brothers
are each one game shy of securing 20 wins, respectively (this
with freshman Steve Peretz, would be Gossain's 20th doubles career win, Carey Rubin's
t be confident that they can 20th singles career win and Michael Rubin's 20th dual-match
ce pressure off of the players singles win).
However, the players view all of these possibilities as mean-
es upset Wake Forest - who ingless distractions.
he time - by the score of 6- "I try and stay away from statistics," Jackson said. "I don't
oss came from Michigan's top like to focus on how many wins I have or who I have beaten."
nior Michael Rubin. Gossain If the Wolverines could change one thing about how the sea-
ave actually been an asset for son is going, players said they would just like to see more fans
at the matches.
Michael," Gossain said. "If "Since the tennis center is far from campus, and buses don't
y, or if he knows that he has run, it's hard for the freshmen to bring the groupies from the
nfident they can win, it is less dorms to the matches," Gossain said.
BRETT MOUNTAIN/Daily,
Freshman Steve Peretz has enjoyed great success as Vinny Gossain's doubles partner. Peretz and his
fellow freshmen classmates are a big part of Michigan's recent success.
Moos,
By Alex Cummins
For The Daily
Wagner ready for spotlight
Standing next to one another on the
street, 125-pound freshman Mark Moos
and 265-pound sophomore Greg Wagner
may look a little like Laurel and Hardy.
But when these two walk into a
wrestling arena, any awkwardness flies
out the window.
Moos, ranked No. 4 nationally by
Amateur Wrestling News, and Wagner
- who recently defeated national No. 1
heavyweight Pat Cummins of Penn State
- have led the Wolverines (4-1 Big Ten,
14-3 overall) to a hot start in Big Ten
dual-meet action.
Moos was recently honored by the
National Wrestling Coaches Association
(NWCA) with an invitation to the
NWCA Classic last week at Northern
Iowa University. The tournament histori-
cally invites the top two wrestlers in the
country from each weight class.
While he came up short against No. 2
Luke Eustice of Iowa in the meet, Moos
stresses that he's not overwhelmed by his
inexperience at the college level.
"I don't get caught up in the pressure,"
Moos said. "I just try to wrestle to the
best of my ability every time I'm on the
mat. I try not to think about prior match-
es and whether I won or lost. I always try
to focus on the present."
After redshirting last season, Moos's
maturation during his time at Michigan is
the main reason for his brilliant wrestling
thus far.
"I've been working out harder than I
ever have before in the mornings with
Coach McFarland," Moos said. Since I
wasn't competing last year, I guess you
could say I had a bad attitude. But now I
have my head on right and I'm going as
hard as I can day in and day out."
Moos's superstitions may also have
something to do with his success.
"During tournaments, I always wear
the same underwear and socks," Moos
said. "I also always eat brown sugar Pop
Tarts and drink Arizona Green Tea Iced
Tea. That's what makes me feel good
before I step out on the mat."
While the pressure on Moos to per-
form as a freshman is intense, Greg
Wagner is often faced with the prospecy
of his whole team's hopes riding on him;'
In dual meets, the outcome often comes
down to the final match in the heavy-'
weight division.
"You just have to go out and wrestle your
match," Wagner said. "I work really hard;
day-in and day-out to accomplish what 1.
want to do on the mat and get a win."
In a recent dual meet against Iowa,
Wagner's victory won the meet for the*
Wolverines. Wagner entered the matcb*
knowing he needed a victory for hio
team to win.
"When I went out there (against Iowa)
I wasn't scared," Wagner said. "I wa5
aware that I needed to win the match so
we could win the dual meet. But I never
go out on the mat planning to lose. I plan
on winning. I get on the mat and I go a$
hard as I can for as long as I can, then 1
keep going."
Moos and Wagner step back on the mat
tomorrow when Michigan travels t0-
Bloomington to take on Indiana in Big.
Ten dual meet action.
After redshirting last year, Michigan's Mark Moos has compiled a 19-4 mark this season. Moos is ranked No.
4 nationally In the 125-pound weight class.
m