Mallory lost for year; tankers in hot water

ACL injury benches freshman for season as team prepares for Big Ten Championships

Michigan freshman Jason Mallory, who is still wet behind the ears when it comes to collegiate swimming, will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.

"Jason can't be replaced," Michigan men's swimming coach Jon Urbanchek said. "He's our most valuable swimmer as far as total points in the Big Ten championship."

Mallory, who could swim in any event, specialized in the individual medley for the Wolverines. He will have surgery on his knee Monday to correct three problems, including a torn anterior cruciate ligament and a meniscus injury.

"The damage is pretty extensive," Urbanchek said. "They'll have to scope it, and then probably open it up."

Jason Mallory

Urbanchek said that team doctors do not expect any permanent damage. After rehabilitating until June and training during the summer, Mallory should be ready to compete next season.

"That's life," Urbanchek said. "It can happen in any sport."

Mallory was especially valuable to the Wolverines because of his versatility. While Michigan's strength lies in its distance swimming, led by Olympic silver medalist Tom Malchow, Mallory was able to contribute in a handful of events, making him more valuable in terms of points.

"At Big Tens, we're going to be scouring for points that he would have contributed," sophomore distance swimmer Chris Thompson said. "We will have to find people to step up."

Senior freestyler John Reich will also miss the talented freshman.

"He's a huge loss for us," Reich said. "We were counting on him to score a lot of points for us in all the meets and at Big Tens."

But Urbanchek doesn't think any one person can step up and fill the void left by Mallory's absence. Rather, he thinks it will have to be a team effort.

"Twenty-two guys are going to have to pick it up," Urbanchek said.

The Granger, Ind., native joins freshman and best friend Jon Arndt on the sidelines. Arndt suffered a shoulder injury in early action and will also miss the rest of the season.

- Daily sports writer David

Den Herder contributed to this report.

'A huge loss'

Freshman Jason Mallory, who coach Jon Urbanchek calls his most versatile swimmer, is out for the season with nagging knee injuries. A look at Mallory's stats in his first season at Michigan:

Jason Mallory

Event Hometown

Individual Medley Granger, Ind.

Mallory recorded team-best performances in the following events:

- 200 Backstroke 1:50.08

- 200 IM 1:51.69

- 400 IM 3:55.17

- 800 Free Relay (1) 6:43.33

Mallory has posted consistent top-three finishes in Michigan's events this season as the Wolverines cruised to victories in their first two Big Ten meets.

Mallory

01-28-99