University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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A Wolverine diver uses all of his strength to enter the water vertically. The Wolverine diving team was led by true freshman Jason Coben and sophomore Bryce Cox. photo by Mike Cutri Sophomore Paul Ely flies down the pool en route to a second place finish against Texas. Ely finished just a quarter of a second behind Texas Junior Joey Montague in the 200 butterfly, photo by Mike Cutri As he comes out of the pike position, a Maize and Blue diver prepares to enter the water smoothly. The Wolverines only carried four divers on their season roster. photo by Mike Cutri Men ' s Swimming

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Sports

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SuccessLat tvery Level The Men ' s Swimming and Diving team continued their trend of excellence during the 2000-2001 season. The squad of 28 returned 21 letter-winners from the previous season ' s Big Ten Conference championship team. The team also welcomed six freshmen, who made an important impact with their contribu- tions. Returning to coach were mainstays Jon Urbanchek and Dick Kimball, as well as assistants Eric Namesnik, Wonkee Moon, and Jon Arndt. Senior Scott Werner, who specialized in the breaststroke and the individual medley events, captained the team. Also making a major impact was senior Chris Thompson, who represented the University and the United States at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia. There, he captured a bronze medal in the 1 ,500-meter freestyle. Carlos Castillo and Mike O ' Connor also offered their senior leadership throughout the season in the diving and dis- tance events, respectively. Other key contributors were Eric Wilson, Dan Ketchum, and Jason Coben, but all will attest that the training efforts of the entire squad defined the success in the pool. Junior Jason Mallory declared, We train harder than anyone else in the nation, and it gives us a mental edge when competing. Eric Namesnik, attesting to the tradition of hard work for the Wolverine competitors, explained, Michigan alums were abound at the 2000 Olympics, representing five different countries and claiming five medals. Jon Urbanchek had headed the University swimming team for eighteen seasons and was widely regarded as one of the finest coaches in the sport. Jon is like a father to us here at school. He is a stubborn old man who has been there, done that, and knows how to do it all again, proclaimed student-assistant coach Jon Arndt, whose active participation with the team had been cut short by shoulder surgeries. Urbanchek ' s merits include a national championship for the Wolverines in 1 995, a year in which he was also awarded the Coach of the Year award from both the NCAA and the American Swimming Coaches Association. Urbanchek won national championships actively during his tenure as a swimmer, participating in the University ' s 1958, 1959, and 1961 titles. He has also assisted on the Olympic coaching staff for the past five American teams, a span of twenty years. We go beyond NCAA swimming. We promote international swimming, stressed Urbanchek. His tradition of excellence continues to contribute to Wolverine success. Dick Kimball, the head diving coach, entered his 42nd season with the University this year. He was a member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame and the Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor. While attending the University, Kimball won two national diving titles while being a part of three NCAA championship teams, in 1 957, 1 958, and 1 959. After graduating, he achieved the 1 963 World ' s Professional Diving Championship title and was runner-up at the 1 977 World Acrobatic Diving Championships. As coach of the men ' s diving team, he has earned Diving Coach of the Year honors from the NCAA in 1 984 and the Big Ten Conference in 1 990. Kimball ' s training programs produced numerous Olympic athletes, including four gold medal winners. Kimball remained a vital contributor to the accomplishments of the University diving team, by Eric Rajala A Wolverine swimmer leaps off the starting blocks in the 50 yard freestyle during the dual meet with Texas. Texas swept the Maize and Blue in the 50 free, although the difference between first and fourth place was only 23 hundreths of a second, photo by Mike Cutri 10 27 at Eastern Michigan Quadrangular 1st of 4 11 3 at Georgia 131-112 11 4 at Florida 117.5-125.5 11 18 Texas 112.5-127.5 12 1-12 2 at Eastern Michigan Invitational 7th of 7 12 1-12 3 at Texas Invitational 6th of 12 1 5 at Stanford 100-135 1 6 at California 113-130 Sports 199