After taking NCAAs, 'M' falls in nationals

MARGARET MYERS/Daily The Michigan men's swimming team took the Big Ten championship last season, but failed to take the NCAA trophy in the March tournament.

The 1996-97 Michigan men's swimming team had two goals -- regain its Big Ten crown and win the NCAA Championship for the second time in three years.

The 1996-97 Wolverines featured five Olympic veterans, including silver medalist Tom Malchow. Gold medalist Tom Dolan gave up his final year of eligibility at Michigan to capitalize on his Olympic success.

This season represented a shift on emphasis over last year's goals. Ten-time defending Big Ten and 1995 NCAA champions, the Wolverines were forced to make both the 1996 Big Ten and NCAA meets second priorities, with a greater focus put on the Olympic trials. Although the team lost both the Big Ten and NCAA crowns, Michigan sent 11 swimmers to the Olympic games in Atlanta.

"Unfortunately we had to forgo the Big Ten Championship for the Olympic trials," said Michigan Coach Jon Urbanchek, who accompanied his swimmers to the games as an assistant coach. "But it worked out for the most part."

Despite the loss of Dolan, and Jason Lancaster to a shoulder injury, Michigan had high hopes for the season. The fifth-ranked Wolverines' prospects looked good when they defeated No. 2 Texas in Ann Arbor on Nov. 22, 129-114, for their second win of the season.

Michigan headed to Australia over Christmas Break to train in Perth, and stopped in California on its way home to face No. 1 Stanford and No. 3 California. Both meets resulted in losses for the tired Wolverines.

Michigan returned to dual meet action two weeks later, as it headed to Indiana to face Purdue and Indiana. The Wolverines had never lost to Purdue in 45 meetings, and the streak continued with a 127.5-113.5 Michigan victory. The Wolverines easily dispatched the Hoosiers the following day, 152-91.

The Wolverines had a week off before heading to East Lansing to battle cross-state rival Michigan State on February 7. Michigan manhandled the Spartans, defeating them for the 20th time in a row, 139-75.

The next day, Michigan slipped by Ohio State, 146.5-135.5, in a meet that was not decided until the final race of the day. Captain and Olympian John Piersma led the Wolverines to victory against the Buckeyes in his final home meet at Michigan.

"I didn't really think that it would come down to the last relay," Piersma said. "But there is no way I'm going to lose the last race as a Michigan senior in our home pool."

After the victory over Ohio State, it was time for the Wolverines to prepare for the Big Ten championships in Bloomington. Michigan traveled to Indiana on February 27 to attempt to regain the Big Ten crown claimed by Minnesota in 1996 after 10 straight Michigan championships.

Minnesota held the lead through the first two days of the three-day meet. Piersma helped push Michigan to victory on the final day with victories in the 100-, 200- and 500-meter freestyle races. The captain was rewarded for his efforts by being named Big Ten Swimmer of the Meet.

With the acquisition of the Big Ten crown, goal number one was accomplished.

Michigan then headed to Minneapolis on March 27 for the NCAA championships. However, the Wolverines did not fare well in their quest to bring home the NCAA trophy. After finishing the first of three days in 11th place, Michigan climbed to only the seventh spot in the meet.

Piersma was one of the few bright spots for the Wolverines, winning NCAA championships in the 200- and 500-meter freestyle races. Michigan also won the 800-meter freestyle relay.

Despite winning the Big Ten championship, the Wolverines left one goal that they would have to wait until 1998 to fulfill.

Urbanchek reflected on the entire season after the NCAA meet.

"It was a season of ups and down, mostly downs," Urbanchek said. "It looks good for the future, though. We will learn from this year."

09-03-97