12 - The Michigan Daily - Monday, June 21, 2004
SPORTS
Draft Extravaganza
The NBA and NHL Drafts are this week
(Thursday and Saturday, respectively).
Bernard Robinson Jr. hopes to sneak in
and three Michigan hockey players will
likely hear their name called.
BERNARD ROBINSON JR. 6-6, 210
Scouting Report: Robinson has the athleticism
to be solid NBA guard, but he lacks the
offense and the consistency needed at the
shooting guard position. Robinson worked out
for several NBA teams and patticipated the
Chicago pre-draft camp. However, Robinson
didn't raise any eye-brows.
Draft Prediction: undrafted
AL MONTOYA 6-1, 190
Scouting Report: The top-ranked goal-
tender in North America, Montoya has
the size and intangibles to develop into a
top-notch NHL Goalie. With the success
of previous Wolverine goaltenders, teams
have confidence in the Michigan pedigree.
Draft Prediction: 6-10 overall
Freshmen Mike Brown and Matt Hun-
wick, who made their presence felt this
past season with their relentlessness,
will likely be selected late in the draft.
OLYMPICS
Continued from Page 11
Webb's stop-clock time. Willis only realized the
clock was for Webb once he missed the qualify-
ing standard.
"I realized too late in the race that I was down
on the schedule set to make the time." Willis told
Athletics New Zealand.
Even though Willis beat his personal best in
the mile, he missed the 'A' standard by two
seconds.
"This was only his third race outside' Michi-
gan track and field coach Ron Warhurst said.
"(Willis) ran great, and he (earned a personal
best) by three seconds. So anytime you do that
in inte tional race d fetish second at the
Prefontaine, that's very, very good."
The New Zealand-native needed to hit the 'A'
standard of 3:36.20 in the 1,500-meters or the
'B' standard of 1:47.00 in the 800-meters to
qualify for each event in Athens.
Willis hasn't hit the qualifying standards yet,
but has finished near home run-races in both
events. He missed the 'A' standard for the 1,500-
meters by just 0.04 seconds earlier this month at
the Oregon Track Classic and the 'B' standard
for the 800-meters by .38 seconds last weekend
at the Victoria International Track Classic.
Warhurst believes that despite the mental
strain of the near-misses, Willis will eventually
hit the qualifying times.
"I would be very surprised and disappointed
if (Willis) doesn't get the marks," Warhurst said.
"I don't see (qualifying) asa problem at all"
Willis and Brannen are no strangers to the
daily grind that track athletes endure while
qualifying for the Olympics. Both compete on
the Micinan ernse-countryindoand nt-,,_
door track teams, leaving little leisure time.
But, Brannen believes the intense schedule is
worth it.
"Every year is the exact same' Brannen said.
"I do three seasons of running with a week
break in between, so for the whole year I get
three weeks off from running. Even though I'm
always training for times, I'm getting stronger
and faster almost every year."
Because of the training, Brannen has had to
sacrifice the typical college experience.
"There's a lot of stuff I miss out on," Brannen
said. "I'm pretty strict with my sleeping habits
and my diets and I don't party like the average
college kid. I don't drink. (My housemates)
might be having a party one night and I'll be in
bed by 11 o'clock. It would be nice to go to a
party with them, but they're thinking at the same 4
time, 'they would love to be in my shoes."'
At least Brannen has Willis riding shotgun on
the roadto Athens.
"It's definitely a great experience having
someone else with me here," Brannen said. "It
definitely makes things a little easier getting to
travel with (Willis) and also having a teammate
experience the same thing - not just a runner
that I know buta teammate that wears the block
'M'as well."
GREECE LIGHTNING
For the past two months, Michigan runners Nate Brannen and Nick Willis have competed in
events all across North America in order to qualify for the 2004 Olympic Games. Brannen
must hit the 'A' standard for the 1500-meters, the 'A' and 'B' standard for the 800-meters, and
finish in the top four at the Canadian National Finals on July 11 to qualify for team Canada.
Willis must hit the 'A' standard for the 1500- meters
and the 'B' standard for the 800-meters to qualify for
team New Zealand. The Daily takes a look at their
progress.
DATE/SITE NATE BRANNEN NICK WILLIS
Olympic Qualifying Times: Canada New Zealand
1,500-meter standard 'A': 3:36.20 'A': 3:36.20
800-meter standard 'A': 1:45.71 'B': 1:46.75 'B': 1:47.00
May 1, 2004 800m: 1:48.01 800m: 1:49.23
4
Jesse Owens Classic
May 7-8, 2004
Len Paddock Invitational
June 5, 2004
Oregon Track Classic
June 11, 2004
Victoria Int'l Track Classic
June 19, 2004
Prefontaine Classic
800m: 1:46.79
Did Not Compete (injury)
800m: 1:47.63
1,500m: 3:39.05
1,200m: 2:56.00
3x600m: 1:30.00
1,500m: 3:36.24
800m: 1:47.38
Mile: 3:53.51
1,500m: 3:38.20
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