After finishing behind Michigan State two weeks in a row, the Michigan men's gymnastics team will travel to East Lansing for a second rematch with the No. 6 Spartans on Saturday at Jenison Fieldhouse.
This will be Michigan's final chance to better its three-score regional qualifying average before the NCAA East Regional takes place in Massachusetts on April 4. Michigan is currently on the regional bubble, occupying the sixth and final slot in the East. The qualifying average is based on three team scores, including a home, away and at-large team total.
The last time the teams met in a dual-meet atmosphere was March 19 at Cliff Keen Arena. That meet saw both teams reach seasonal highs, but concluded with the Wolverines falling to the Spartans, 229.15-229.45.
The Wolverines saw their intrastate rivals again last weekend when they hosted the Big Ten Championships at Crisler Arena. Despite several impressive individual performances, the Wolverines were unable to surpass Michigan State or better their average, recording a team score of 226.625.
Although Saturday's dual meet will be a step down from the fervor of the Big Tens, Michigan coach Kurt Golder said he is confident that his athletes will maintain their intensity, since a regional bid is on the line.
"We're going to go up there, turn in a good performance, and help ourselves out a little bit," Golder said.
Michigan State coach Rick Atkinson likes the idea of another dual meet with Michigan, and thinks that the interlude may help relieve the pressure often associated with the postseason.
"It's a plus because we're going to go into it a lot more relaxed," Atkinson said. "Going in nice and relaxed - and it will be the last meet for the seniors - will be a big plus."
In order improve their best away score of 227.55, Michigan will need solid all-around performances from sophomore LaLo Haro and freshman Kevin Roulston. At last weekend's championships, Roulston tied for seventh in the all-around with a 56.475, while Haro was ninth with a 56.4.
Michigan State's best all-around performer was Ethan Sterk, who recorded a 54.55 to finish 19th.
Also key for the Wolverines will be their hit-miss ratio, which was a problem in the March 19 meeting. The Wolverines couldn't overcome early misses on the pommel horse, despite a late-meet surge that brought them within 0.3 of a point.
Threatening Michigan's regional berth is No. 11 Massachusetts. The Minutemen are currently trailing the Wolverines by 1.725 points, and will conclude their schedule at the Eastern College Athletic Conference Championships this weekend.
03-26-98
| Previous Article |
should be sent to: daily.letters@umich.edu | should be sent to: online.daily@umich.edu |