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`M' senior swimmers honored for work ethic, scholarship

There are many characteristics of a team that make it stand out. The Fab Five was known for its incredible talent and confidence. The Pittsburgh Steelers of the 1970s were heralded for their "Steel Curtain" defense.

This year's Michigan men's swimming and diving team is known for having perhaps the most prolific program in the country, as well as the presence of numerous All-Americans and a 1995 NCAA title.

Despite this being the identity of the Wolverines, their leadership brings a different reputation to the table. This year's senior class, which was honored at this past weekend's meet with Indiana and Michigan State, is composed of five unique individuals.

Alex Bogaerts, Joe Janik, Shuichi Matsumoto, Royce Sharp and Jan Wenzel have all competed four years for the Wolverines and, with the exception of Sharp, who is an eight-time All-American, none of them has ever been looked to as a major point-getter on the team.

However, these five men have contributed to the Wolverines in many other ways and have served as model student-athletes for the swimming and diving program.

"They are all over-achievers," Michigan coach Jon Urbanchek said. "They have incredible work ethics and definitely help the team's GPA. They are the intellectual members of the team."

Perhaps no one exemplifies the leadership of the Wolverines better than their captain, Jan Wenzel. Wenzel has steadily improved each year during his four campaigns at Michigan and last year, he made his first appearance in the NCAA Championships, finishing 18th in the 1650 freestyle.

In addition, Wenzel received the Slykehouse Scholarship this year, honoring team leadership and academics. Despite his commitment to swimming, Wenzel has managed to excel in his dual-major of political science and German, and plans to go to law school.

"It's been great swimming here four years," Wenzel said. "It was all worth it. It was just a really big honor to be elected captain of this team."

Another athlete who exemplifies this year's senior class is Joe Janik. Janik, who finished third in the 500 freestyle in this weekend's victory over the Spartans and Hoosiers, is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree. He is a cellular and molecular biology major enrolled in the Honors Program and hopes to eventually go to medical school.

"Joe Janik is one of the most respected and liked kids on the team," Urbanchek said. "He is definitely an overachiever."

Matsumoto is the only potential Olympian in this graduating class. He is hoping to make the Japanese team in the 400 IM.

"(This year) has been more exciting," Matsumoto said. "I'm just trying to have more fun. My big focus is always on the Japanese trials, which are in the first week in April."

Although Matsumoto won't be swimming in the NCAA Championships because it conflicts with his nation's trials, he is trying to keep the team together and focused on defending its title.

"As I could see (this weekend), our team has really come together well," he said. "It is hard when some of the leadership is not some of the big point-getters."

Alex Bogaerts has done a particularly strong job this season leading the Wolverines' diving arsenal. As the only senior on a contingent composed primarily of freshmen, Bogaerts has done an admirable job filling in for Abel Sanchez as the team's leader and helping the new divers make the transition to collegiate competition.

Like many of his fellow seniors, Bogaerts has improved steadily every season at Michigan. He made Honorable Mention All-America in his junior season, placing 14th on the platform.

"Alex is diving real well," diving coach Dick Kimball said. "I'm real pleased with the way he is competing."

The most heralded swimmer exiting at the conclusion of this season is Sharp. Sharp is an eight-time All-American and a five-time Big Ten Champion. In addition to being a member of the U.S. Olympic Team in 1992, his resume includes an American record in the 200-meter backstroke and a bronze medal at the 1994 World Championships.