'M' tries to make waves against Michigan State tonight

At first glance, it looks like the Michigan women's swimming and diving team has taken it easy as of late.

Today's meet with Michigan State marks the first time in nearly two weeks that the Wolverines will swim competively, with their most recent meet being Jan. 16 against No. 1 Georgia.

In light of the team's recent plague of injuries and illness, it's reasonable to believe that Michigan coach Jim Richardson's team used the time off for rest and recuperation. Not so, says Richardson.

"We can train right through the meets at this point," Richardson said. "We're treating the meets as high-intensity workouts."

With dual meets against two lesser-ranked opponents this week - the other being Notre Dame on Saturday - the Wolverines can afford to continue their rigorous training regiment without the interruption of an easy day before a meet.

Crews

"We're actually having practice in the morning before those meets," freshman Kerriane Kalbko said. "We're still doing the additional stuff-lifting weights, running and other cardiovascular exercises."

Junior Shannon Shakespeare knows the value of training through dual meets from experience.

"You have to look at them as a workout," Shakespeare said. "If you worry too much about the times at a dual meet then you are probably taking it too seriously. At this point, we're using the racing to our advantage and it will help us in the end."

With the increased training comes a renewed sense of confidence in the wake of the loss to Georgia.

"We've been training really well since we haven't had a meet in two weeks," freshman Lindsay Carlberg said. "Everyone is fine-tuning down to the wire."

Michigan's training effectiveness is good news for a team besieged with the flu bug in recent weeks. Senior Jennie Eberwein's diagnosis of Epstein-Barr prior to the team's trip to Hawai'i earlier this month was among the most notable of the ill. Fortunately for the team, the worst seems to be over.

"Most people are starting to get over their illnesses," Kalbko said. "Most importantly, Jen is feeling a lot better. We're glad to have had the off-weekend when we did."

Richardson said the return of Eberwein is crucial to the success of the team going into the Big Ten and NCAA Championship meets.

"Jen had her first workout in five days (Sunday)," Richardson said. "If we can get her back, we will be in better shape than we've been in for a long time."

Though competitions with Michigan State and Notre Dame are usually sources of hype and anticipation for other Michigan sports, Richardson downplayed the respective rivalries for his team.

"Swimming is a little different from other sports," Richardson said. "A lot of the girls were past teammates, which serves us well because I've always felt that you swim best against your friends."

Crews'n along

AP PHOTO Shannon Shakespeare hasn't seen action in a meet since Jan. 16, but she hasn't been taking it easy. Instead, Shakespeare and the rest of the Michigan women's swimming and diving team have been training hard for the Big Ten Championships, which will be held in a month.

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