'M' inexperience shows at men's championship

Freshman jitters surface as Blue stumbles

MADISON - Week after week, the freshmen members of the Michigan track team impressed observers by performing way beyond their years. As they rolled into Madison for their biggest test of the year, the stage was set for a storybook finish.

How sweet would it be for these young kids to brush aside all the pressure and thrive in the spotlight of the Big ten championships?

Reality set in, as the 1999 Big Ten Championships were reduced to a learning experience for most of the Wolverines' freshmen.

LOUIS BROWN/Daily The Michigan men's track team didn't clear every obstacle this weekend at the Big Ten Championships in Madison.

While all the freshmen were confident in the week leading up to the meet, coaches did their best to warn their athletes that first-timers never seem to fair well at the Big Tens. Even the Wolverines' older members, recalling their own freshman experiences, knew how difficult this weekend promised to be.

Still, their talent was undeniable, creating some hope for big performances.

Oded Padan, the seventh ranked triple jumper in the nation, seemed like a legitimate contender to win the event. Sprinter Ike Okenwa came in sporting a streak of 4 consecutive meets with a victory, and distance runner Mike Wisniewski, steadily improving throughout the year, looked on the cusp of a breakthrough.

The first victim of the freshman jinx was Ike Okenwa. Still recovering from a hamstring injury, Okenwa rolled his ankle in practice this week. Coaches ruled him out of the 200-meters, instead saving him for the 60-meter.

Okenwa squeeked into the semifinals with the final spot, and failed to qualify for the finals. Okenwa was noticibly limping throughout the meet but refused to bring up the injury up as an excuse. Instead he said nerves played a factor.

"I was very nervous," Okenwa said. "I've never run in front of that many people before."

While Okenwa could not hide his dissapointment, perhaps no Michigan possesses more promise for next season.

"Considering his injury, just making it to the semifinals is a positive," Michigan coach Jack Harvey said.

Another Wolverine, 5,000-meter runner Mike Wisniewski, came in with high hopes. In his last two meets, Wisniewski placed second and third respectively. Yet, when the race began, Wisniewski was noticably shaken, finishing in the bottom half of the field.

"I was really scared," Wisniewski said. "The first time is always tough, but next year will be a lot different."

Like Okenwa, Wisniewski enjoyed a stellar freshman season and will be counted on heavily next season.

"I think the off season is really gonna help me," Wisniewski said. "Next year I will be stronger and more mature.

While Wisniewski struggled mightily, another Wolverine, junior Todd Snyder flourished, finishing fourth. Following the race, instead of speaking of his performance, Snyder sympathized with his younger teammate.

"I remember when I was a freshman I got lapped out," Snyder said. "The coaches wanted me to finish but the judges yanked me out."

Padan shined all season long, establishing himself as one of the stars of the squad. On Saturday, Padan clearly displayed nerves, scratching out of the long jump. He performed better on Sunday, placing fourth in the triple jump.

"We'll be a whole lot better next year than we are this year," assistant coach Ron Warhurst said. "Next year we're gonna try to win this thing."

That goal may seem outrageous considering the Wolverines' ninth place finish. Yet no other team in the Big Ten asked more of their freshmen than Michigan. And while that may have hindered them this weekend, it provides plenty of hope for better days ahead.

02-22-99