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Gymnasts take high hopes to Columbus

After a successful weekend for Michigan sports teams against Ohio State, the women's gymnastics team is looking forward to its trip to Columbus. Saturday, the Wolverines take on the Buckeyes in a Big Ten showdown.

Even though Ohio State might not be considered a traditional gymnastics rivalry, beating the Buckeyes has become an annual tradition. Ohio State shouldn't feel special though, because Michigan has made it a habit to defeat everybody in the Big Ten.

Entering this season, a loss to Michigan State in 1993 was the Wolverines' only conference loss in the past four years. During that stretch of four consecutive Big Ten Championships, their conference record was a remarkable 45-1.

However, that success has not carried over to this season. Michigan's overall record this season is 6-2 and includes impressive wins over then No. 16 West Virginia and No. 11 Massachusetts. But both of their losses came at the hands of conference foes.

The Wolverines' conference winning streak was broken when they fell to Minnesota earlier this season. After defeating Massachusetts, Michigan went into last weekend ranked No. 4 in the nation. But on Sunday they lost to No. 9 Michigan State 193.375-192.575 in the State of Michigan Classic.

The good news for the Wolverines is that although the losses count against their conference record, they won't cost them the Big Ten title. In gymnastics, the team that wins the Big Ten meet is the conference champion.

With a rash of injuries, the team has been looking at the season meet by meet, striving for constant improvement.

"It doesn't really matter what the other teams do," Michigan freshman Kathy Burke said. "We just have to concentrate on ourselves."

In last year's Big Ten meet, Michigan was first while Ohio State finished last. This year though, the Buckeyes are off to a fast start. They are 7-1 overall and 2-1 in the Big Ten.

"Ohio State is an improved team over last year," Michigan coach Bev Plocki said. "Last year they went through what we are going through right now."

What the Wolverines are going through right now is a rash of injuries that borders on the absurd. Seven of the team's 12 members are bothered by ailments of varying degrees.

Injuries are a part of sports, but Plocki might be wishing she had a farm system and could call up some reserves.

"It's hard to win when you are just worried about having a full lineup," Plocki said. "In some events, three of our top six are out."

Some of the Wolverines are competing through the pain. This past weekend, sophomore Heather Kabnick returned to action in two events despite an ankle injury that was still bothering her.

It would be understandable if frustration set in and morale became a problem, especially since the Wolverine roster includes five freshmen. According to Plocki though, nothing could be further from the truth.

"These are hard-willed individuals," Plocki said. "They are not going to give up."

If anything good has come out of the injury situation, it is the strong showing made by some of the younger Wolverines.

The spotlight has been thrust upon Beth Amelkovich and Kathy Burke, who are the only two healthy freshman. Both of them have made impressive showings lately in the all-around. Amelkovich was second against Massachusetts, and Burke was fourth last Sunday in the Classic.

Plocki said that none of the injuries appeared season-ending, and that while her squad might not be fully healthy for Ohio State, she hopes to have everybody back soon.

Even a banged-up Michigan team is talented enough to win this weekend though. Ohio State is improving, but they have only scored over 190 points once this year, while Michigan has topped that total in every meet.

Of all her line-up shuffling and injury problems, Plocki simply says, "Going through all this will only make us stronger."

If the team is as mentally tough as their coach claims, somebody better tell the Buckeyes and the rest of the Big Ten to look out. The Wolverines are starting to heal, and they are looking to start a new win streak.