12 - The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, October 13, 2004
I
T ankers reek of
good work ethic
New coaches to
adjust formula
By Dan Ketchel
For the Daily
The most noticeable aroma in
Canham Natatorium on any given
day is undoubtedly chlorine. As
expected, the smell hits hard when
one enters the building. But after
taking a moment to inspect the
scent that saturates the air around
the pool, there's an inkling of some-
thing else combined with the chlo-
rine: work ethic.
One can sense its presence accom-
panying the other chemicals loom-
ing about the facility. It isn't even
fresh. It's genuinely stale. Take a
good hard whiff, and it's apparent
that the odor is about 20 years old.
It is the attitude women's swim-
ming coach Jim Richardson has
implemented in his 20-year tenure.
He sat at a table yesterday with one
eye on his athletes and one eye on
the task of fastening together piec-
es of equipment for the swimmers
to use during dry land training.
If doing that menial task didn't
prove his willingness to humble
himself, it showed when he played
down the Big Ten Coach of the Year
honor he received at the end of last
season.
"The kids swam really, really
well, and we managed to win the
(Big Ten) meet." Richardson said.
"And more often than not, the coach
whose team wins the meet is cho-
sen."
But the kind of work ethic that
Richardson displays in motivating
his swimmers is echoed in the atti-
tudes of the swimmers themselves.
"The freshmen class is so enthu-
siastic, and they're working really
hard," junior captain Abby Seskev-
ics said. "And they're willing to
work really hard, so I think we're
not going to have a problem with
making up for what we lost. We're
trying hard not to compare this
year's team to last year's. We had
such a great season last year, and
with a huge new group of girls, we
need to work towards being great
with them."
hILE PHOTO
Women's swimming coach Jim Richardson instills solid work ethic in his swimmers.
The women's swimming and
diving team will have a chance to
gain some experience Saturday in
Canham against a talented Florida
squad.
As the season's first scored meet
approaches, everyone in the natato-
rium is optimistic and anxious for
the competition to begin. Richard-
son sees this year's team as being
equally formidable as last year's,
despite its inexperience in the
lanes. The 2004-05 group features
16 freshmen who have yet to become
acclimated to NCAA competition.
"We learn a lot about our new
swimmers everyday in workout
when we watch them train," Rich-
ardson said. "When they put the
hammer down, something happens
and hopefully something special
happens. Throughout the season we
can see how they race. Do they race
the way they train? Do they race
better then they train? These are the
kinds of things we evaluate."
By Scott Bell
For the Daily
Mediocrity is not a word in most Wol-
verine fans' vocabulary. However, for
those following Michigan men's tennis
team the past few years, it was a word
they were beginning to have to settle for.
The once-proud Michigan squad, which
at one time pumped out professionals
such as Malivai Washington, was find-
ing itself constantly in the middle of the
pack. Something had to be done in the
offseason for this once-proud squad to
regain its fire.
Enter Bruce Berque. The Wolverines'
new coach brings a winning attitude
to Ann Arbor and hopes to instill this
passion in his players. Along with Ann
Arbor native and former pupil Michael
Kosta as his assistant coach, Berque feels
that this could be the beginning of some-
thing special.
"We plan to be constantly readjusting
early on to find that winning formula,"
Berque said. "We hope to, at worse, settle
for a top-four finish in the conference."
Settle is not a word Berque likes to say.
His long-term goals for the team exem-
plify nothing less than excellence.
"Becoming a national powerhouse is
certainly a long goal," Berque said.
However, turning around a program
is much easier said than done. Hav-
ing been a part of successful programs
at both Illinois and Florida, Berque
believes he has the formula to conquer
that seemingly impossible task - prac-
tice, practice and more practice.
"We certainly hope to show much more
professionalism in practice than in years
past," Berque said. "Early on, I think our
main goals are more process-orientated
than result-based."
Michigan lost just one player from its
previous squad. and with four returning
seniors, improvement seems eminent for
the Wolverines.
"David (Arving) shows great leader-
ship with his intensity at practice while
Vinny (Gossain) does his part with a lot
of off-the-court events," Berque said.
"The seniors all have different person-
alities, but each does their share in their
own way."
Every team has its own extrovert who
seems to steal the show. However, most
don't have an assistant coach who takes
that distinction - Michael Kosta is that
exception.
Kosta, a graduate of Ann Arbor Huron
High School, has come to help coach
after playing professionally for two years.
He enjoyed success at Illinois, where he
played under Berque. So when he got a
call from Berque in the off-season, his
decision was easy.
"I attribute most of my success to (Ber-
que)," Kosta said. "It was an honor for
him to ask me to coach, so I jumped at the
opportunity to coach under him."
On the surface, the two seem like can-
didates for a remake of "The Odd Couple."
When you ask Kosta, though, he finds it no
surprise that these two opposites attract.
"From day one at Illinois, we had very
good chemistry," Kosta said. "We com-
pliment each other very well. He is much
more reserved, and I am more outgoing.
But we both share a love for tennis."
This coaching duo and its love for
tennis will be put to the test this week-
end as the Wolverines open their season
with the Wolverine Invitational - a six-
team, three-day marathon of tennis that
is sure to be a good measuring stick for
Michigan.
Potential BCS shakeups this weekend
By Mark Glannotto
For the Daily
Saturday's college football action is
highlighted by three games that could
have major BCS implications. Top-
rated Southern Cal. battles undefeated
Arizona State, Virginia travels to Talla-
hassee to face perennial power Florida
State and West Virginia plays Connect-
CRpS
Jul
1 A
icut in a game that might decide the Big East title.
No. 19 ARIzONA STATE (5-0) AT No. 1 SouTHERN CAL.
(5-0) - 3:30 P.M., ABC
After taking a giant step towards the BCS title game
last weekend with its 23-17 win over Cal., Southern Cal.
will look to take another big step troward the Pac-10 title
by beating Arizona State this Saturday. The Cal game was
the second straight close call for the Trojans, who barely
beat Stanford two weeks ago. Led by Heisman candidates
Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush, the Trojans' offense is one
of the best in the nation. Teams cannot focus on the run or
the pass in the balanced attack.
The Sun Devils are the surprise team in the Pac-
10 this season. Led by senior quarterback Andrew
Walter, Arizona State has racked up impressive wins
against Big Ten foes Northwestern and Iowa. Walter
has been particularly impressive, throwing 15 touch-
downs passes this season.
As good as Arizona State has played so far this season, it
has not faced a team like Southern Cal. The Trojans' talent
level will be too much for the visiting Sun Devils to handle.
The Sun Devils will make things interesting, but Southern
Cal. will continue its Pac-10 dominance this weekend.
Southern Cal 31, Arizona State 17
No. 6 VIRGINIA (5-0) AT No. 7 FLORIDA STATE (4-1)
- 7:45 P.M., ESPN
This ACC showdown between top-10 teams will be a
defining game for both sides. The Cavaliers are looking
for respect since they have yet to defeat a top-25 team this
year. The Cavaliers' run-oriented offense has been nearly
unstoppable, and talented running back Wali Lundy has
emerged as a touchdown threat on every play. The Cava-
liers' defense has been equally impressive, holding oppo-
nents to just under of almost 14 points per game.
Perennial ACC power Florida State is in danger of fall-
ing out of the conference race with a loss to Virginia. The
Seminoles enter this showdown without having played
their best football, with a close victory over an average
Syracuse team last weekend. Coach Bobby Bowden has
already announced that Wyatt Sexton will start the game
at quarterback, as Chris Rix is still not healthy enough to
play. Despite all of these issues, do not underestimate the
Seminoles. Their defense has been suffocating, and the
game will be played at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tal-
lahassee.
This game will be dominated by the defenses, with nei-
ther team being able to move the ball on each other. The
game will come down to special teams, and the Seminoles
have been atrocious in that department so far. The Cava-
liers will take a big step toward the ACC crown as they
will go into Tallahassee and beat Florida State
Virginia 13, Florida State 10
No. 16 Wksr VIRGINIA (4-1) AT CONNECrICUr 4-1)
- 7:30 P.M., ESPN
This game goes to show how far the Big East has fallen:
A team three years removed from playing 1-AA football
is in the running for the conference championship. With
the move of Miami and Virginia Tech to the ACC, Con-
necticut has established itself as a contender in the Big East
this season. The Huskies are led by sophomore running
back Cornell Brockington, who is averaging more than
100 yards per game.
West Virginia is coming off a loss to former Big East
foe Virginia Tech two weeks ago. The Mountaineers may
also be without star running back Kay Jay Harris.
This is undoubtedly the biggest game in Connecticut
football history, but expect the Mountaineers to get the
win. The Huskies, while West Virginia has been inexperi-
enced in many pressure-filled games like this before.
West Virginia 24, Connecticut 14
No. 17 LoUISvILLE (4-0) AT No.3 MIAMI (4-0) - 7:30
P.M., ESPN
This nonconference game of unbeatens matches a mid-
major school on the cusp of breaking through against a
perennial power seeking another appearance in the BCS
title game.
The Cardinals have a high-flying offense led by running
backs Eric Shelton and Michael Bush. Quarterback Stefan
LeFors has played spectacularly with a completion rate of
75 percent.
Miami is once again in the mix for the national title.
The Hurricanes have not played for three weeks, so they
may be a bit rusty. The defense is lightning fast and has not
allowed more than 13 points this season, while the offense
has been improving. Quarterback Brock Berlin's play has
improved since he led the Hurricanes to a comeback win
against Florida State to start off the season.
Although Louisville has looked impressive this season,
it will be no match for the Hurricanes. Add in the fact that
the game is at the Orange Bowl, and it spells disaster for
the Cardinals.
Miami 31, Louisville 10
David Anving and the tennis team are adjusting to new head coach B
r
Freshman improves kills
EAT
RESPO
SI BLY
By Stephanie Wright
Daily Sports Writer
In her collegiate debut Sept. 1 at Val-
paraiso, Michigan volleyball freshman
Katie Bruzdzinski played like a savvy
veteran.
But in the Manhattan College Invita-
tional two days later, her play returned to
first-year level.
After her 14 kills and nine digs against
the Crusaders, Bruzdzinski struggled at
the invitational, recording just three kills
and five digs in two matches.
Senior Jennifer Gandolph - her room-
mate for the tournament - remembers
Bruzdzinski being "really worked up and
stressed out" about her play in the match.
Understanding her frustration, Gandolph
talked to her, telling her not to worry about
it - that it was just one match and she
shouldn't dwell on it.
Bruzdzinski hasn't looked back since.
"I think she's really come back from
that," Gandolph said. "Every day since
then she's been improving."
Bruzdzinski got back on track at the
Michigan/Pepsi Challenge the following
week, recording 13 kills and seven digs in
her home debut. Six days later, she broke
a nine-year school record for service aces
with eight in the match.
But in the past two weeks, she emerged
as a key contributor for the Wolverines.
Bruzdzinski has led Michigan in kills for
the past four matches - setting a career
high of 20 against Illinois last weekend -
and is currently third on the team with 2.54
kills per game. She also leads the Big Ten
in service aces, averaging 0.46 per game.
Bruzdzinski's steady improvement has
not just helped her teammates, it has also
impressed them.
"You never know sometimes with first-
year players, but she's been very consis-
tent and someone we can rely on to get
kills," Gandolph said. "And that's huge
for someone to come in their first year
and do that."
Bruzdzinski already has the ability
to contribute, but it's her work ethic that
really sets her apart. In high school, she
competed for sports performance in West
Chicago, Ill. - a club that is known for
producing disciplined and hard-working
players. Bruzdzinski said who drilled into
her the importance of not taking short cuts
and always putting in that extra effort. It's
a lesson she heard so many times that she
internalized it and carried it with her to
Michigan.
"I'm always pushing myself because I
know it will pay off in the end," Bruzdz-
inski said. "It doesn't matter if I feel like
I'm going to die in practice that day. If I'm
dying in practice, I'll be good in the game.
I know it's just going to make me better."
Gandolph says that willingness to come
into practice and work hard everyday is
something Michigan focuses a lot of atten-
tion on. The fact that Bruzdzinski already
had this mentality only accelerated her
improvement.
"It's cool that we didn't have to teach
that to her," Gandolph said. "She already
had it."
I
I
ALEXANDER DZIADOSZ/Daily
Freshman Katie Bruzdzinski has steadily improved since the season began.
~Ramadan
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