Tankers ready for Big Tens

On any sports team, there comes a time in the season when the superstars, as well as the lesser-knowns, must "step up" and perform up to their abilities.

No one on the Michigan women's swimming and diving team is more aware of the challenge than Jenny Crisman and Shannon Shakespeare -the Wolverines' two top performers this season.

Crisman and Shakespeare, both NCAA meet qualifiers, will attempt to add to their lengthy list of accolades this season at the Big Ten Championships in Minnesota this weekend.

Both Crisman and Shakespeare are considered favorites in their events -Crisman in the 100 backstroke, 50 freestyle and Shakespeare in the 100 breastroke and 100 freestyle.

Yet, Shakespeare does not underestimate the competition with predictions.

"Our goals are just to swim as fast as we can," Shakespeare said. "We're going to do as much as we can, and as a team we're going to stay positive."

Though Crisman and Shakespeare have not swam up to their potential since making NCAA cut times in December and early January, they have not been taking it easy.

Both have been training through the dual meet schedule and did not taper for the Big Ten meet. Michigan coach Jim Richardson said that the lack of rest will not limit their performances.

"Both of them will swim real well," Richardson said. "They can perform well when they are not rested, and that serves to our advantage."

Shakespeare has been a utility swimmer of sorts this season - the junior has swam sprints and distance events as well as anchored relays. The events she will compete in this weekend are yet to be determined.

Besides Crisman and Shakespeare, several Michigan swimmers have a shot at a high placement, and possibly a consideration time for the NCAA Championships.

Among the top hopefuls, Jennie Arndt, Missy Sugar, Lindsay Carlberg and Kerrianne Kalbko stand out as the most notable.

"Arndt is ready to make some high improvements," Shakespeare said. "Her spirits are high and I think great things will happen for her."

Richardson expressed similar sentiment about Arndt, as well as for the freshmen competing in their first Big Ten Championships.

"Arndt has a chance," Richardson said. "She's trained well and she's done a good job all season. Also, Carlberg, Kalbko and Andrea Kurrle have the experience of national competition on the high school level, so they should be fine with the atmosphere and swim well."

02-17-99