The Michigan Daily, Thursday, May 12, 193- Page 19
'M' thinclad getting the jobs done
Freshman Steverson fills
in when coach needs him
By JOE BOWER
At about this time last year, Todd
Steverson was a promising athlete at
Ann Arbor Huron High School with an
unpromising future. Despite achieving
honorable mention recognition in
basketball and twice qualifying for the
state track and field finals in the quar-
ter-mile, he was not actively recruited
by many major college coaches.
Florida State and Tennessee were
somewhat interested in his basketball
talents. Nobody else paid him much at-
tention in either sport.
Then, at the end of the school year,
after Steverson finished third in the
state quarter-mile, Michigan track
coach Jack Harvey decided to take a
chance and offer him one of the last
track scholarships. His gamble has
paid off handsomely.
"I WAS ONE of the last recruits, if
not the last, they got," Steverson said.
"I was what you'd call 'the sleeper'
because I didn't have the experience
like other runners. I was kind of over-
shadowed by other guys who were
champs in their classes."
He has become a valuable asset to the
Wolverine track team because of his
versitility. He has run the 300-and 600-
yard dashes, quarter-mile, the 500-
meter, and the mile relay. '
Steverson proved his talents during
the indoor season by finishing second
only to Michigan State's AllAmerican
Marcus Sanders in the 600 at the Big
Ten Indoor Track and Field Champion-
ships. His time of 1:10.01 qualified him
for the NCAA Championships held at
the Silverdome.
"I WAS PLEASED with my perfor-
mance (during the indoor season)," the
soft-spoken freshman said. "My goal
was to make the nationals for my
freshman year."
Coach Harvey had not expected such
an impressive performance so soon
from the recruit nobody wanted.
"He's been a great athlete for us,"
said Harvey. "We expected him to con-
tribute but we have been surprised with
his performance. He has steadily im-
proved."
STEVERSON IS being heavily coun-
ted on to fill voids in several events due
to teammates' injuries. Harvey will
utilize him all the aforementioned even-
ts, particularly the quarter-mile, as
well as the 200-yard dash.
"I think he'll be effective in the quar-
ter. He is capable of running a 46.0
without any problem," added Harvey.
Some of the best quarter-milers in the
nation are in the Big Ten. Sunder Nix of
Indiana is the world record holder;
while Eliot Tabron and Sanders of
MSU, along with Wisconsin's Leroy
Dixson are recognized as premier quar-
ter-milers. Needless to say, the
unheralded Huron grad is up against
tough competition in each race.
"I'M NOT IN awe of those guys when
I run against them," Steverson said. "I
just put it all aside. I don't have the
fame, but I've always considered
myself as equal to them."
He realizes his abilities but others
don't - yet. He hopes to soon change
that. At the Michigan State In-
vitational, held April 16, Steverson
came through taking first place in 400-
meter dash.
"Right now I think I'm sitting around
fourth in the Big Ten. Before I graduate
I want to attain world class ranking."
"With progress I would not be sur-
prised at all if he reached that," said
Harvey. "But I think his best chance of
reaching world class standing is in the
600 because it's a longer race and his
forte is his great endurance."
Quarter-mile or 600, whichever it
may be, watch out for a dedicated,
quiet sprinter named Todd Steverson.
He may soon be the surprise of the
track world that nobody has heard of.
Don't say you weren't warned.
::::
On teSuhSdofTw
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1301 S. University Lunch and Dinner
Daily Photo by JEFF SCHRIER
Freshman Todd Steverson runs the 600-yard event at the NCAA Indoor
Track Championships last month at the Silverdome.
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