Page 10- The Michigan Daily - Friday, February 8, 1991 'M' wrestlers to face Bucks and Gophers a I Big Tens in future of Blue track teams Men runners tune up in Purdue4 by Josh Dubow Daily, Sports Writer As midterms are fast approach- ing on the academic calender, the Michigan wrestling team will face its set of exams this weekend. While coach Dale Bahr does not worry about dual meet results, he will use this weekend to gauge his squad's progress. "This will be a good determi- nant of where we stand for the Big Tens and NCAAs," Bahr said. "If we can perform well here, we should build confidence for the post-season." Friday, the Wolverines (10-4 overall, 4-1 Big Ten) will travel to Columbus to take on Ohio State (13-3, 3-1). The Buckeyes' lone Big Ten loss came at the hands of second-ranked Iowa. Michigan will then return home Sunday to host- Minnesota (8-3, 1-2) at 2 p.m. at Cliff Keen Arena. This past weekend, Minnesota and Ohio State tied for second place at the 11-team Cowboy Invitational be- hind the host, no. 1-ranked Okla- homa State. Michigan, Minnesota, and Ohio State, along with Purdue, should battle for second-place honors be- hind perennial champion Iowa. Bahr looks at the Buckeyes as the main competition for the runner-up spot. "We saw Ohio State wrestle earlier in the year at Virginia (National Dual Championships), and they were very impressive," Bahr said. "They're probably the favorite for second place, but we shouldn't be too far behind." While Ohio State has a deep lineup, they have had problems at 118 pounds. The Buckeyes have been rotating between Jay Ash- more and David Range, but Range is expected to wrestle this week- end. While Range defeated Mich- igan's Salem Yaffai in their only previous meeting, Yaffai is con- fident about Friday's affair. "I lost to him about two years ago," Yaffai said. "But from what I have seen he has not really im- proved at all." The meet's best matches should be at 134 and 177. At 134, there will be a battle of nationally- ranked wrestlers as Michigan's Joey Gilbert faces Mark Marinelli. Both wrestlers placed at the Big Ten Championships last year and are undefeated in Big Ten com- petition this season. The Wolverines' Lanny Green (177) will have the toughest weekend of any of his teammates. Friday, Green goes against Dan Ritchie, who placed fifth at Big Tens last year and is currently undefeated in the Big Ten this season. Sunday will provide Green with the stiffest competition of his career as he faces defending Big Ten champion, undefeated and top-ranked Marty Morgan. 0 by Jeff Williams With one eye on the Big Ten Championships in two weeks, the Michigan men's track team isn't disappointed with what it has seen so far. Based on last week's showing at Notre Dame, the Wol- verines are' pleased with their progress going into the Central Collegiate Championships this weekend at Purdue. "Things were going a little slow until last weekend, but then we got some good performances," Michigan coach Jack Harvey said. Among those was a time of 1:49.02 for Neal Newman in the 800-meter run. Newman's mark was good enough to qualify him for the NCAA Championships in March. Jerry Douglas qualified provisionally for the NCAAs with a time of 7.30 seconds in the 55 meter high-hurdles. In order to qualify automatically he needs a time of 7.28 seconds. Brad Darr and Brad Barquist both have a good chance of qualifying for NCAAs. Darr has been pole vaulting at the 17 foot level (1 1/2 inches from the qualifying height), and Barquist has been competing well in the 3000 meter and mile events. With these performers leading the way this weekend, Harvey is optimistic about the team's chances at the Big Ten Cham- pionships. "If we get good marks this weekend, it will set us up for the Big Tens," Harvey said. "We're not looking past the next couple of weeks, but the Big Tens are what we're shooting for." He is also hoping that others will step up and help carry the load. Quarter-milers Van Cowan, Ali Shokar and Brian Bozo are part of that group. Shot putter Mike Hennessey and hurdler Rudy Redman are also expected to be in a position to contribute at the Big Ten Championships. "We have some potential point scorers that are sitting on the fence right now," Harvey said. "Hopefully they'll pull through and be ready to move up to the next level." Michigan will get its main competition this weekend from Eastern Michigan, Purdue, Wis- consin and Notre Dame. Mike Barrowman will lead the Wolverines into Indiana this weekend. Longhorns offer Blue its toughest test to date by Andy De Korte Daily Sports Writer Last challenge for women's track by Becky Weiss r t t (~) v~ (IVA) I do I cooW COOKIES for Valentines Day! Send your sweetheart a gift tin of Mrs. Peabody's cookies We ship anywhere in the Continental U.S. Get your Cookie Heart Roses while they last! KBr KB KB KB KB KB KB The Michigan men's swimming team has jumped to third-ranked in the country, further distancing it- self from the rest of the Big Ten. But when the squad arrives in Bloomington, it will not be the highest ranked team present. Texas, Indiana, and Michigan will each face each other in a double dual meet on Saturday, two weeks before the Big Ten Cham- pionships. No. 2 Texas should pro- vide the Wolverines its toughest competition this year. When Michigan travelled to California earlier this year, its fo- cus and determination helped them defeat then second-ranked Stan- ford. Assistant coach Mark Noetzel said motivation and desire should be no problem in Bloomington. "I think they are (excited to face Texas). It's going to be their biggest challenge of the year, next to NCAAs -- competing against Texas in a one-on-one situation where they're going to win or we're going to win. "It's going to be a high-pres- sured event, although Indiana is in it as well, that'll help buffer it a bit; it's definitely going to be an intense meet," he added. The team has recently in- creased its speed work in more dif- ficult practices. The adaptation to the intense workouts on the heels of numerous meets should yield observations about the mettle of the team. Fatigue could be a factor for the swimmers who will not attend the NCAAs. These athletes are do- ing their hardest work of the sea- son in preparation for the Big Ten Championships. By contrast, the athletes who already have NCAA qualifying times will continue to build their training bases until after Big Tens, when they will start to taper for the NCAAs. Daily Sports Writer "This is the meet where the team should really come together and see where we are for the Big Tens," said head track coach James Henry of the Simmons Invitational taking place this Saturday at the Indoor Track building. This will be the last challenge for the Wolverines before the quickly approaching Big Tens, now only two weeks away. Henry thinks the two mile relay, to be run by junior Carrie Yates, sophomore Kristin McDonald, frosh Chris Szabo, and senior Amy Bannister will be a fast race, due to competition from Eastern Mich-' igan. Bannister currently leads the Big Ten in the open half mile, and last weekend at the Meyo Invitational she set a personal best mile time of 4:47.91. "We're hoping with Amy' anchoring we can pull out a win," said distance coach Sue Foster. Junior Suzzie Thweatt, who. finished second at the Meyo in the 55-meter hurdles, should also have some tough competition in Eastern Michigan hurdler Val Beckles. Henry said of Beckles, "Suzzie has never beaten her. It's one of those' goals she's out to do." According to Foster, junior Megan Nortz and frosh Jessica Kluge should have an easier time with the invitational mile. "I don't think there's going to be a lot of competition for them, so they'll have to go for good times," she said. The Wolverines are also counting on consistent perfor- mances from shot-putter Julie Victor and frosh sprinter Richelle Webb. "She (Webb) is starting to relax," Henry said. "She had a. collegiate best last weekend and is starting to be more competitive and handle college competition." Il 761-CHIP We cater to parties r vv v Tv 715 N. University Ask about our group discounts i 44 I MacMichigan presents... I_ . ecations II APIZ3 The National ALPHA CHI RHO FRATERNITY is Reactivating the University of Michigan Chapter DAILY CLASSIFIEDS 9I ~ow Ua / _ -Ak Q Lam, 1 4 0 If you strive for excellence in: -Scholarship -Service -Athletics -Leadership gold bond cleaners Quality Dry Cleaning and Shirt Service 332 Maynard St. across from Nickels Arcade 668-6335 01 and Social Activities... 0* Contact the "CROW HOTLINE" 763-1679 See a hands-on display of Macintosh creativity Computer Showcase, ground floor Union Dozens of door prizes to be given away! i 1895-1991 96 Years of Excellence Be a part of our future. tl .ti he Office of International Programs, Information meetings for study abroad: U-M Summer Program in Oxford, England Thursday, February 14 2:30 - 4:00 p.m.