'M', Big Ten All-Stars to face U.S. team in Evanston

The top swimmers in the Big Ten are about to find out if they can stay afloat against the nation's elite.

This weekend at Northwestern, a team consisting of the best swimmers from all the Big Ten schools will go up against the U.S. National Team at the Big Ten All-Star meet. The swimmers will try to beat the best and will participate in community service projects, too.

Michigan swimmers were awarded six spots on the team, second only to Minnesota's eight invitations. Leading the Wolverines' charge are senior co-captains Tom Malchow and Andy Potts. Joining them are junior Mike McWha, sophomores Chris Thompson and Scott Werner and freshman Jeff Hopwood.

MARGARET MYERS/Daily Michigan co-captain Andy Potts and several of his teammates will compete against the U.S. National Team this weekend in Evanston in the Big Ten All-Star meet.

Invitations are awarded on last season's accomplishments, or for freshmen, based on time-mandated trials. Several of Michigan's swimmers could be on the National Team but decided to continue swimming for Michigan.

Malchow, a 1996 Olympic silver medalist in Atlanta, chose to finish his eligibility at Michigan before dedicating his future to the National Team.

"This is a fun-filled weekend for all the swimmers and a break away from the college atmosphere," Michigan coach Jon Urbancheck said.

He also sees the Big Ten All-Star meet as a way to boost interest in the Midwest region. With a strong showing, the Big Ten can place itself among the nation's elite swimming conferences.

The rules have also changed slightly for this weekend, as the swimmers will try to conquer an Olympic-length pool of 50 meters versus the college distance of 25 yards.

Urbancheck said this will test his swimmers and increase their strength and conditioning for the rest of the season.

Michigan's six representatives will see the familiar faces of six ex-Wolverines on the U.S. National Team. Heading the group is Olympic gold medalist Tom Dolan. Urbanchek said that alumni of Big Ten schools who live in the Chicago area are also invited to come to the competition.

During the weekend, the coaches and athletes will be holding clinics for city children who wish to pursue a competitive swimming future. These up-and-coming swimmers will be given proper instruction and additional tips on what is necessary to excel at the high school and college levels.

"The community service aspect of the weekend is very important to all of us," he said.

The weekend should be a nice break for the Wolverines, who split two tough matches last weekend. After triumphing over Florida, they lost to No. 6 Georgia, 135-108.

Michigan now stands at No. 8 in the nation with a 1-1 record and does not have another meet until the first weekend of December.

Urbancheck said there was one downside to leaving Ann Arbor this weekend.

"The one problem is we have to miss the Wisconsin game." he said.

11-12-98