Surf and turf

Swimmers take eight to NCAAs in Georgia

If one didn't know better, they might look at the Michigan women's swimming team's record this year and think it to be an unsuccessful one. After all, it did lose the Big Ten Championship for the first time in 13 years.

But anyone who knows the team and knows the injuries and illnesses it has suffered through all season and how it pulled off a surprising second-place finish at Big Ten's, is well aware how successful the season really has been.

This weekend, the Wolverines will have their chance to prove the doubters wrong once again when they travel to Athens, Ga. for the NCAA Championships. Michigan will bring seven swimmers to the meet, all Big Ten champions, with the hopes of finishing in the top ten for yet another year. Although they are not the favorite this year, the Wolverines have the chance to play Cinderella.

KELLY McKINNELL/Daily Sophomore Missy Sugar is one of eight Wolverines in Athens, Ga. for the 1999 NCAA Championships. Sugar, junior Shannon Shakespeare and senior Jennie Eberwein are Michigan's best hopes for a title in the 100-meter freestyle.

This year, No. 1 Georgia and No. 2 Stanford have set themselves apart from the rest of the crowd as the favorites to win the title. Stanford, the 11 straight time Pac 10 champion, is defending NCAA champion and brings 16 swimmers and divers to the race.

Georgia, the events host, brings 18 swimmers, the most in the event, and defeated Stanford in a dual meet is earlier in the year. Both teams are extremely deep and have multiple defending NCAA champions.

"You have to give the nod to Georgia," Michigan coach Jim Richardson said. "They are swimming at home and beat Stanford during the season."

Arizona, Southern Methodist, and California are all expected to compete for the title, as well.

"It's a wide open meet." Richardson said. "First through fifth all have the potential to win the championship."

The first race of the meet, the 200-yard freestyle relay, could provide the most exciting competition of the championship. The three top teams in the event, Northwestern, Michigan, and Southern Methodist, are separated by just .04 seconds.

At the Big Ten Championships, Northwestern beat Michigan by just .02 seconds to post the two fastest times in the country. The Wolverines will surely be looking for revenge in Athens.

In individual events, the Wolverines' best chance for a national title comes from junior Shannon Shakespeare in the 200 individual medley. Shakespeare defended her Big Ten title this year and posted the fourth fastest time in the country.

Another race that is sure to provide plenty of excitment, the 200 free, features three time defending champion Martina Moravcova of Southern Methodist. Moravcova has one the last three NCAA titles in the event.

But upstart freshman Sarah Tolar of Arizona has posted the fastest time in the country in the event by .02 seconds. Shakespeare could also be a factor in the race, her time is the fourth fastest this year.

"Moravcova is swimming even better this year than in the past," Michigan assistant coach Stephanie Kerska said. "If anyone has a chance to beat her though, it is Shannon. You can't underestimate her."

Also in singles competition this evening will be senior Jen Eberwein. Despite a two month long illness that kept her out of the pool most of the season, Eberwein won the Big Ten Championship in the 50 free and posted the seventh fastest time in the country.

She will surely post her fastest time of the year in the event tonight and compete with junior Rebecca Cronk of Virginia and senior Erin Maher of Texas for the national title.

One of Michigan's best chances to score big points in the meet will come on the final day in the 100 free. Shakespeare, Eberwein, and sophomore Missy Sugar swept the event at Big Tens. Shakespeare also has the third fastest time in the country this year.

The Wolverines' hope for a top ten finish lie mostly in the ability of their relay teams to come out on top. The relay races are worth more points than individual races and give teams the chance to score big with just one race.

"We are going to have to swim a great meet for a top ten finish," Richardson said. "Four of our five relay teams are in the top eight in times this year. We are going to need to be firing on all cylindars."

03-18-99