Freshman need to mature for big meet

This weekend, it's time for Michigan's freshman swimmers to leave Never Never Land behind and grow up.

Michigan coach Jon Urbanchek is counting on his younger Wolverines in the Big Ten swimming and diving Championships in Bloomington today through Saturday.

"The freshmen will have to contribute big points for us to have a chance," Urbanchek said.

"We are putting an awful lot of pressure on a very talented freshmen class.This is their opportunity to shine."

That is a lot of pressure, considering that Michigan enters the Big Ten Championships with the unfamiliar role of underdog.

The Wolverines have won 11 out of the last 13 Big Ten titles. But for the first time, they recognize that nothing short of a spectacular performance will bring home another championship banner to Canham Natatorium.

Michigan needs the group of "new kids" to help take back the Big Ten title from defending champion Minnesota.

That's a little bit of pressure - considering that one year ago these freshmen were ripping up their high school state championships. Starting Thursday, they will have to make the transition to swimming in one of the fastest conference championship meets in the country. It's time to grow up.

"I like the pressure," said Michigan freshman Jeff Hopwood. "This is what we've been looking forward to the past five months of training. I hope that the other six freshmen and I will step up."

Hopwood said that his freshmen class has big-meet experience outside of the high school ranks at junior nationals, but no one can truly know what to expect of the Big Ten Championships.

"It's obviously going to be an extreme difference," Hopwood said.

Even though they're new to the game, the freshmen class isn't going to let their inexperience get in the way of what they have to accomplish this weekend.

"We're the big question marks on the team with being the first year in the program, but we're well aware of what's expected of us," Hopwood said.

Outside of their freshmen, the Wolverines are hoping their strengths will overcome their major weaknesses to topple the Gophers and the rest of the Big Ten.

Michigan's strengths will be in the 200-yard butterfly and 1,650-yard freestyle, where defending champions senior co-captain Tom Malchow and sophomore Chris Thompson are obvious favorites. Also, the Wolverines are counting on strong performances in the 500 free, 200 breaststroke and the 400 individual medley.

Fast swims in those events will be essential because the Wolverines are very weak in the backstroke, the sprint events, and the short relays. In fact, Urbanchek won't even enter a swimmer in 200 back because the Wolverines are so shallow in the event.

To counteract the lack of depth in the swimming events, the Michigan swimmers can count on their divers.

"Our divers will keep us in balance," Urbanchek said.

Michigan diving coach Richard Kimball is expecting a quality performance from his squad. He said that Indiana has the best divers in the conference, but Michigan should challenge anyone else for the remaining diving points.

"We've been diving well lately," Kimball said. "I really think we're going to come through this weekend."

Overall, the entire Michigan swimming and diving program is well aware of what it's going to take to win its 12th conference title in 14 tries.

"We need to have some big time swims," Urbanchek said.

But, nobody seems scared of the task at hand. Everyone is focused and ready to go.

"I think it's going to go great," Hopwood said. "I'm ready. In fact, I can't wait."

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