8E - The Michigan Daily - New Student Edition - Fall 2005 l SPORTS Grapplers take second, Bertin wins National title By Mark Giannotto MARC" 21, 2005 Daily StaffWriter ST. LOUIS - He pointed at the Michigan stitched into his sin- glet and let out a deep breath. As he waved to the crowd, one got the feeling that senior Ryan Bertin and the Michigan wrestling team had just removed a giant burden from their shoulders. Since last year's NCAA Wrestling Championships, when he failed in his bid to repeat as national champion, Bertin had been consumed with regaining his title. For that matter, the entire Wolverine team had been trying to remove the stigma of not being a tournament team. But after the 2005 NCAA Wrestling Championships were complete, both Bertin and Michigan accomplished their goals. Bertin captured the national championship in the 157-pound weight class, and the Wolverines finished an impressive second place in the overall team competition. It was Michigan's best finish since 1974. In his championship match on Saturday night, No. 2-seeded Bertin faced off against No. 8-seeded Joe Johnston of Iowa. In the quarterfinals, Johnston scored a huge upset over the No. 1 seed, Alex Tirapelle of Illinois. Tirapelle had beaten Bertin in the Big Ten Championships two weeks earlier. Bertin did not allow Johnston to get comfortable, capitalizing on a deep shot at the beginning of the first period. But Bertin was unable to keep the Iowa junior down for long, and Johnston scored an escape soon thereafter. The tide in the match turned at the end of the first period. It appeared as if Bertin was about to give up a takedown to John- ston and surrender his 2-1 lead. But instead Bertin grabbed hold of his opponent's ankle and flipped him over his head to get a second takedown in the period. "I just went with my instincts and got into a scramble," Bertin said. "I came out on top, so it worked out." With that takedown, Bertin took a 4-1 lead in the match, and, from there, the match was never really in question. John- ston was never able to counter Bertin's quick shots from the neutral position. The senior got all eight of his points through takedowns. The final score, 8-5, did not truly indicate how one- sided the match was. "When I recruited him, one of Bertin's high school coaches told me that he was a gamer," Michigan coach Joe McFarland said. "He's going to go down as one of the all-time greats in Michigan wrestling history. He's been focused all week, and that was his goal. I don't think anyone could have beaten him this weekend." With the win, Bertin captured his second national champi- onship in three years. His tournament last year was marred by injuries. This season, Bertin entered the tournament relatively healthy, and the rest of the field felt the effect of it. "It's easier to wrestle when you are healthy," Bertin said. "In this tournament, (being healthy) is a great equalizer." The Wolverines clinched second place in the team compe- tition of the tournament with Bertin's win in the 157-pound final, and a total of 83 points. The second-place finish was the highest for Michigan since 1974. Oklahoma State ran away with the team title, scoring 153.5 points and capturing five individual titles. "I couldn't be more proud of these guys," McFarland said. "Our young guys came here and were able to withstand the pres- sure. The guys on our team are really competitive, and we were focused on this tournament all year." The Wolverines had five All-Americans out of their 10 starters. Junior captain Ryan Churella finished fourth in the 165-pound weight class. Johny Hendricks of Oklahoma State 6-2 defeated Churella in the semifinals on Friday. That loss forced Churella to face the defending 165-pound weight class champion, Troy Let- ters of Lehigh. In a tight match, Churella lost, 7-5. "I didn't wrestle like I wanted to, and it showed when I lost the match," Churella said. "You're never satisfied unless you win the national championship. I'll remember what this felt like when S 0 0 TONY DING/Daily Ryan Bertin grapples an opponent Ohio State on Feb. 11. Bertin went on to capture his second national championship at NCAAs. I'm here next year, and I'll be ready." Freshman Eric Tannenbaum had an impressive debut in the NCAA Championships, attaining All-American status in the 149-pound weight class. He made the semi-finals, before succumbing to Oklahoma State's Zack Esposito. He finished fourth overall. The Wolverines' other freshman in the tournament, Josh Churella, did not enjoy the same kind of success. Although the No. 3 seed was named an All-American, he finished a disappointing eighth. He battled a chest cold throughout the weekend, and it showed in his three losses, where his stamina was affected. "I never take timeouts, and I took three," Churella said. "Every match, I just got tired. I just didn't have it this tournament." Rounding out the Wolverines' All-Americans was junior heavyweight Greg Wagner, who improved on his sixth-place fin- ish from a year ago with a fourth-place finish this year. "If you had told me a week ago that we would finish second here, I would have told you that's a stretch," McFarland said. "But I'm real proud of these guys because they pulled it off." Tumblers take first at NCAA By Katie Niemeyer APRIL 11, 2005 Daily Staff Writer The importance of senior leader- ship was shown in the Michigan wom- en's gymnastics team's final rotation at the NCAA South Central Regional Championship in Lincoln, Neb. In the sixth rotation, the Wolverines needed a 49.075 on the uneven bars to regain the lead over Nebraska, who had already completed its meet. Michigan seniors Lauren Mirkov- ich and Elise Ray were up to the challenge. As the last Wolverines to compete, they stepped up to the apparatus, needing to be perfect. The Wolverines had suffered one fall early in the lineup and couldn't afford another mistake. The seniors put up identical scores of 9.925 to become co-champions in the event and clinch Michigan's 196.600-196.300 win over second- place Nebraska. "It was a tough position," Ray said. "The last event of a regional compe- tition is very nerve-wracking, and we had a fall in the middle. So (as) the last two, we knew we had to hit because we weren't exactly sure where we were. So, it was a little nerve-wracking, but I think we handled it pretty well." The Wolverines started on beam as strongly as they finished. Rearranging regionals the beam lineup before the competi- tion, put sophomore Carol McNamara up first to kick off the meet for the Wolverines. "Her practices have been incredi- ble this past week, and we just really felt that she was the person we need- ed to get us started," Michigan coach Bev Plocki said. "I thought she did a great job, very composed. (Com- posure is) very important on beam where you have all that adrenaline and nervous energy, and I think that she really started us off great in that competition." Michigan, which struggled on the balance beam at the Big Ten Cham- pionships, needed a strong score in the event. "We were extremely relieved and excited once we had it and once we got through it," Plocki said. "I think it really relaxed everybody once we got beam behind us, and we were really able to keep the energy high through the rest of the meet." Michigan carried the momentum into the floor exercise where it posted the highest team score for the event (49.225) and didn't have to count a score below a 9.825. And Ray tied for second place with a 9.900. "I thought that our floor perfor- mances were very good," Plocki said. "I thought the performance quality was good. I thought the tumbling and 0 TRACK AND FIELD Wolverines race to controversial win at NCAAs 40 By Pete Sneider MARCH 14, 2005 Daily Staff Writer Senior Lauren Mirkovich performs on uneven bars during a win against West Virginia on Feb. 18. Mirkovich earned a 9.925 on the apparatus at the NCAA regional. landing was good." we know that we still have places that The Wolverines continued to per- we can still improve on, as well." form consistently on vault, scoring Michigan's three all-around com- a 49.175 and positioning themselves petitors - Ray (39.375), junior Jenny well for the final rotation. Deiley (39.350) and sophomore Lind- "I thought we came close to stick- sey Bruck (39.250) - went two, three ing several vaults but still took little and four in the all-around on the way steps here and there," Plocki said. "I to the Wolverines' victory. think our vaults were very good. Our It was Michigan's sixth regional vaults were very big and dynamic, but title in nine years. WATER POLO Blue finishe By Katie Niemeyer MAY 3, 2005 Daily Staff Writer BLOOMINGTON - What could possibly have caused Michigan water polo coach Matt Anderson to tread water with his shoes on? It must have been No. 11 Michigan's 8-7 victory over rival Indiana in the finals of the Eastern Conference Championship and its subsequent automatic berth to the NCAA Championship. The team eventually finished sixth at NCAAs. With 2:41 left in the fourth quarter, No. 10 Indiana tied the game for the third time at seven, erasing Michigan's two-goal lead. One minute later, the Wolverines received an ejection, which put Indiana on the power play. The home crowd went crazy trying to will the Hoosiers to their first lead of the game. But the Wolverines killed it off and earned a power play of their own. Michigan capitalized when sophomore Shana Welch turned a pass from the left of the net to junior Megan Hausmann - posted in front of the net - who sent the ball flying by Indiana goalie Jes- sica Goldner for the game-winning goal. s strong, defeats Indiana "The key was the girls never came over to the sidelines team on her shoulders." with an empty look in their eyes," Anderson said. "We Knudsten - who recorded 13 goals before April 3 knew it was going to be tied going into the fourth - now this season - scored seven on the weekend. Knudsten it's time to finish it." and Narsai made the All-Tournament second team. Michigan began the game quickly, winning the open- "Meg Knudsten became a superstar," Anderson said. ing swimoff and scoring on its first possession. Senior "She is arguably my most dependable player. She stays in Meg Knudtsen scored to take an early 1-0 lead. the game the whole time, but she's also our No. 6 option The Wolverines made the most of strong opening peri- to score the ball, maybe even our No. 7 or (No. 8). She ods all tournament. They jumped to a 3-0 lead against said, I'm a senior. If I'm going out a winner or a loser, it's Bucknell and Princeton in the first quarter of each game going to be my responsibility.' And that's what she did." and never trailed an opponent all weekend. Knudsten started the weekend off with the Wolverines' Even the home crowd was impressed. Murmurs of first goal against Bucknell and then scored back-to-back "Michigan came to play" and "wow, their goalie's amaz- goals to increase the Michigan lead to four. Eventually ing" could be heard. the Wolverines beat the Bison, 7-1. "They don't really have any weaknesses," Bucknell Later that day Michigan pounced on Princeton, scor- sophomore Elizabeth Jensen said. "But we tried to get ing five goals before the Tigers could respond. Princeton better position, because it's really hard to score on their finally lobbed two goals over Armstrong's head to get goalie." back in the game. But the three-goal deficit is the closest Michigan goalie Betsey Armstrong was named MVP the Tigers came, and Michigan won the game, 8-3. of the tournament and selected to All-Tournament first Then Michigan felt its sweetest victory of the season, team with her teammate Welch. beating the Hoosiers for the Eastern Championship. "Betsey Armstrong has shown why she is arguably "All year it's been Indiana and (Michigan) head-to- the greatest college goalie to ever have played this game," head," Welch said. "I think to beat them in their home Anderson said. "But we won (yesterday) because Meg pool with all the ups and downs this season - it makes it Knudsten decided she was going to step up and take the just that much sweeter." FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The final result wouldn't be posted until nearly all of the 5,006 fans had left the Randal Tyson Track Center. It took an hour and a half after the event ended before the Michigan men would find out that they were champions at the distance medley relay of the 2005 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships. In the final leg of the relay, Michi- gan senior Nate Brannen overcame a 30-meter deficit to pull behind Arkansas's Said Ahmed with 100 meters to go. Although Ahmed edged him at the line by .03 seconds, the tight finish created some controversy as Ahmed drifted into Brannen's lane down the stretch. But there was no red flag, and the results were posted on the scoreboard: 1. Arkansas, 2. Michigan. The home crowd erupted as the Razorback four- some jogged their victory lap. But fifteen minutes later, a ref- eree filed a protest, citing rule 5-5- 3B, which states, "The referee, after consulting with the appropriate offi- cials, shall disqualify a competitor who veers to the right or left so as to impede a challenging runner or forces the challenging runner to run a great distance." The revised results were announced 30 minutes later while the Michigan quartet was warming down - Arkan- sas was disqualified and the Wolver- ines were the DMR national champions with their time of 9:30.82. The committee reconvened for 45 more minutes while Arkansas appealed the protest. But the decision was upheld and, at 11 p.m., the few Wolverines still in the building could breathe a sigh of relief. "It's unfortunate it had to happen this way," Michigan coach Ron War- hurst said. "Arkansas is in the middle of a fight for a national championship, but so are we. You can't impede or move left or right when a guy is com- ing on you. You can't come off the turn drifting to lane four. You just can't do that." Brannen would have preferred a clear-cut Michigan win but had no qualms about the controversial ending. "I was definitely upset about how things turned out," Brannen said. "If I'm going to lose, I don't mind los- ing fair. To win it because a team got disqualified is pretty crappy, but if they're going to take the win by cheat- ing, we have a legit reason for taking it from them." The race that ended in a photo finish started off a little shaky. Rondell Ruff kicked off the relay with the 1,200-meter leg and was run- ning in third place until he was tripped up while coming around the last bend. Ruff regained his balance, but, his split of 2:56.3 left Michigan in fifth place entering the first exchange. "Someone clipped my heel," Ruff said. "For a second, I thought I was going to take a dive, but I pulled it together." Sophomore Stann Waithe held his position following the handoff before turning on the jets in the final 100 meters. His 400-meter split of 45.8 was fast enough to put the Wolver- ines in second place entering the 800-meter leg. But the exchange to Andrew Ellerton was not a smooth one, and the junior started the third leg in fifth place. Ellerton made up ground in the final two laps, moving the Wolverines into third place behind UCLA and Arkan- sas. His split of 1:49.8 put Brannen 10 meters behind the leaders entering the last leg. But UCLA's Jon Rankin and Ahmed exploded off the final handoff, creating a 30-meter margin over the rest of the field. Brannen opted to stay off the fast pace despite the large gap. "I knew they got out pretty fast, so I tried to run my own race thinking they would come back to me at some point," Brannen said. Brannen eventually caught up to the pair with 200 meters remaining. He passed Rankin entering the final bend and began his sprint to the finish - just off the heels of Ahmed - before he was cut off at the finish line. It was the second consecutive national title in the DMR for the Wol- verines. Brannen and Ellerton were a part of last year's championship relay team as well. The women's track and field team also won the DMR with a time of 11:08.24. Freshman Nicole Edwards started the race, putting Michigan in second place at the first hand- off. Three seniors - Sierra Haus- er-Price, Theresa Feldkamp and Lindsey Gallo - rounded out the victory for the Wolverines. It was the team's first NCAA event title since 1998. Last year, Feldkamp competed on the Michigan DMR team that finished in a disappointing seventh-place. This year's squad knew it had a chance to win but did not expect it. "It's awesome because one girl is a freshman and three of us are seniors, so it was a great way to end our sea- son," Feldkamp said. - Daily Staff Writer Ian Robinson contributed to this article. 0 0 It's not whether you win or lose, it's whether or not Home of the $6.00 tee shirt " Any color with your personal logo - 12 or more -We feature Puma, Adidas, & Nike Soccer Gear as well as... www.umich.edu/yost nnll'lnfn 764-4600 NOME OF THE 2005 CCII AMUOS KM. n.--I t.. A.I - Q. AA,*Ame- nrininvlc- riima Litestwe tx I4UIsukInumais~I