LAVELL Continued from Page 13 just trying to stay in shape and be ready for whatever happens," said Blanchard. "You prepare for a situa- tion that arises and you hope for the best." Right now, reality is the CCRB on spring afternoons. It's here where Blanchard abuses the rims and unsuspecting ballers looking for a game. He effortlessly makes the net dance with turnaround jumpers. He passes too. He gets your attention with those rim-roaring dunks, ankle- weights strapped on tight; there's no crowd-reaction to hush those excla- mation points. "Right now, I'm just trying to stay in shape, ball-handling and every- thing," Blanchard said. "Just play. Go out there and have fun, that's the main goal out there. You never can be satisfied with any part of your game so what you do is go out there and work on every part of your game and see what happens." And if nothing works out in the summer leagues, Blanchard will head back overseas to play basket- ball. But he's no stranger to surmount- ing odds. His high school team, Ann Arbor Pioneer, won just one game during his freshman year. By gradu- ation, Blanchard was a state cham- pion. In Blanchard's last season at Michigan, he was the catalyst for 13 consecutive wins after a 0-6 start. And through it all, he doesn't have any regrets about his Michigan career. Any? "Definitely not, I think it was a great experience," Blanchard said. "If I had to do it again, I'd do it again." Michigan taught Blanchard that even Superman is mortal; it taught life lessons instead of realizing dreams. And for someone so driven, so humble, there has to be disap- pointment. He's maintained the "I'm happy with how everything worked out" attitude to the media and his fans, and they may believe him. But the rims at the CCRB don't. SPORTS IM INOTES Brannen, Willis fall short of qualifying Michigan junior Nate Brannen and sophomore Nick Willis contin- ue to chase Olympic dreams. Both are trying to qualify for the upcom- ing games in the 800- and 1500- meter runs. Brannen and Willis participated in the Victoria Interna- tional Track Classic this past week- The MichiganDaily - Monday, June 14, 2004 -15 end, competing in the 800-meter run. Willis registered a personal best time of 1:47.38 to win the 'B' race, falling .38 seconds short of the Olympic 'B' qualifying stan- dard. Brannen finished seventh in the 'A' race with a time of 1:47.63. Neither runner has qualified for the Olympics; they have until July 11to reach the Olympic standards. The runners will complete their West Coast running schedule on Saturday at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon. Pankratz inducted into Hall of Fame University of Michigan Field Hockey coach Marcia Pankratz was inducted into the United States Field Hockey Association Hall of Fame on Saturday in Collegeville, Pa. Mem- bers are chosen based on a points system designed to reward those with the most U.S. National Team appear- ances. Pankratz led the Wolverines to the 2001 NCAA Championship. Ellerton finishes fifth in 800-meter final GALL Despite failing to win her race, Gallo was satisfied with the Continued from Page 13 progress she made this year and is earned All-American honors, led by excited about competing as a senior Gallo. next year. "I was happy to see us enter the "I'm not disappointed at all," meet and make such a strong field Gallo said. "I'm happy with how my and compete," Henry said. "(The times have come down. I was sixth athletes) weren't as happy they want- at indoors and I improved on that. ed to be, but overall, I am pleased Plus, two of the girls who finished with how it turned out." ahead of me aren't coming back next The final meet of Lindsey year so I am in a good position to Stephenson's career was bittersweet. vie for the title next year." Despite attaining her goal of All- Likewise, Henry is enthusiastic American by making it to the final about the team's prospects for next nine javelin throwers, she was disap- year. pointed that she was unable to make "We don't rebuild, we reload," it to the awards podium - reserved Henry said. "It's not about a great for the top eight finishers - and recruiting class, it's about a great earn points for Michigan. returning class. I'm looking for- "(My performance) was average. ward to next year to see if they can Not well, not bad," Stephenson said. step up." "You always want to do better and ELLERTON: MICHIGAN'S LONE place high. I really wanted to make RANGER IN TEXAS: On the men's side it to that podium." of the NCAA Outdoor Champi- The same goes for senior Melissa onships, sophomore and 800-meter Bickett, who finished in 11th place specialist Andrew Ellerton was the in the discus, but still earned All- only athlete to compete for Michi- American honors by being among gan. After cruising into the event the top-eight American competitors. final, Ellerton finished in fifth-place "She had a very good career and with a time of 1:47.28. four years at Michigan," Henry "It didn't quite go as well as I had said. "At this event, it just didn't hoped it would. I knew to have a click for her." chance to win I had to position Other Wolverines who competed myself with the leaders with 100 at the event were senior quad-cap- meters to go, and I didn't do that," tain Vera Simms in the 400-meter Ellerton said. "I made a couple of hurdles and sophomore Elizabeth tactical mistakes and got myself Boyle in the pole vault. Both were boxed in. I'll learn from this and unable to advance out of the prelimi- come back for next year." nary rounds and each finished 22nd Ellerton earned All-American sta- in their respective events. tus for the third time in his career, As a whole, Henry felt a sense of and earned Michigan its only team disappointment from his team. points in the meet. With his four "They wanted to make it to the points, the Wolverines finished in a podium and earn some points for tie for 50th place at the meet. their team," Henry said. "They went At this point, Ellerton is undecid- in with the confidence and determi- ed as to whether he will pursue a nation to get it done, but unfortu- berth to the U.S. Olympic trials like nately, it didn't happen for us, so teammates Nick Willis and Nate they are disappointed." Brpnen I CareerBuildercom~mthe nation's leading online recruitment website, is looking to add talented individuals to its sales team. 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