'M' content with current success By Jeb Singer For the Daily There is a "business as usual" feeling at Canham Natatorium this week as the Michigan men's swimming team prepares to host Indiana. The Wolverines (2-0 Big Ten, 5-2 overall) are coming off a convincing 138-103 victory over Purdue. Indiana (2-1, 4-1) has strong swimmers and certain events may be close. But the Hoosiers are not instilling fear into the hearts of the Wolverines. "We feel confident in our ability to win," Michigan assistant coach Eric Namesnik said. "But over the long haul, this meet is just a stepping stone. It is another opportunity to race." The feeling among the team is optimistic at practice. Riding an emotional high and swimming at home in a 50-meter facility - and since Michigan is the better team on paper - there is reason for optimism. A win against Indiana would give the Wolverines a chance at a perfect Big Ten record going into the final meets against Michigan State and Ohio State. While going undefeated in Big Ten regular-season meets has been an annual tradition since 1990, it does not concern the swimmers or coaching staff. The Wolverines are most concerned with their performance at practice. "We haven't looked at the results," Namesnik said. "We would like to see progression and performance." And right now Michigan has got to be happy with where it is. The results have certainly showed up in the wins over ranked opponents. And success should continue. "We set our goals early and try to stick to them," Namesnik said. "We can be there in the running for the Big Ten Championships. Having the (Big Ten) championships in Ann Arbor may help." Michigan and Minnesota have constantly been in the running for the Big Ten title. "We use Indiana to see where the guys are at," Namesnik said. "It is more an indicator of where we will be at the end of the year." Keeping with the intention of using this meet as an indicator, the meet will be carried out in a unique fashion. There will be a morning and evening session with added events in order for the swimmers to try out events that they do not normally compete in. With key swimmers such as sophomore Tim Siciliano and freshman Garrett Manigieri coming off illness that kept them out of the Purdue meet, the Wolverines are at full force going into the final stretch of their schedule. But it is unclear just how much damage the team can do. "Our goal is to be in the top six at the NCAA meet," Namesnik said. "We continue to belive that this is a realistic aim. It is too early to tell just how good we are." DANA LINNANE/Daily The Michigan men's swimming team is spending the week preparing for Indiana, not expressing much concerned over their upcomming opponents. A win against the Hoosiers would maintain Michigan's run at an undefeated Big Ten season. Originally on page 9A in the 1-26-2000 issue of the Daily.