MSU 2008 Big Ten Preview

MSUのwebにBig Tenの事前情報が出ています。今シーズンの成績があまりよくない勝のことは残念ながら一言も触れられていませんでした。
結果の記事には是非大きく掲載してもらえればと思います。

Spartans Head To Big Ten Men's Swimming & Diving Championships

2008 Big Ten Mens Swimming & Diving Championships set for Feb. 28-March 1 at Michigan

Printer-Friendly Format   E-mail this article Senior Adam Schmitt leads the MSU men's swimming & diving team to the Big Ten Swim Championships this weekend in Ann Arbor.

Feb. 27, 2008

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The Michigan State men's swimming & diving will take its most talented team in years to the Big Ten Men's Swimming & Diving Championships this weekend. The three-day event begins with the 500 free, 200 IM and 50 free preliminary rounds on Thursday, Feb. 28 at noon at Michigan's Canham Natatorium.

"I feel like right now, this is the best team we've had in a long time," head coach Matt Gianiodis said. "But we'll see how we get through the weekend."

The Spartans are led by senior Adam Schmitt, who is the team's top performer in the sprint freestyles and IM events. Schmitt owns the team's top times this season in the 50 free (20.89), 100 free (44.77), 200 free (1:38.34) and the 200 IM (1:51.78). His 1:38.34 200 free performance, which was set Jan. 25 against Oakland, is a Busbey Natatorium record. With the clock ticking on his Spartan career, Schmitt is poised to score in multiple events at the league meet.

"This is his last Big Ten meet, and he's a leader now," Gianiodis said. "He needs to swim like a leader, and I think he will."

Freshman L. Colby Ward and sophomore Krzysztof Olszewski are the team's top distance swimmers. Ward owns MSU's best times in the 500, 1,000 and mile free, while Olszewski is second in each event. Olszewski is also at the top of MSU's 400 IM list with a time of 4:04.93.

Freshman kevin Puskaric and sophomore Marcus Poteete lead MSU in the breaststroke and butterfly, respectively. Puskaric is at his best in the 200 breast, where his 1:59.14 top time is good enough to make the NCAA `B' qualifying standard. Poteete, an Olympic Trials qualifier, has clocked a team-best 49.68 in the 100 fly this season, and 1:52.14 in the 200 fly. Both times are just short of the NCAA `B' standards.

Sophomore Jon LaRocque is the team's top backstroke swimmer. He set team top times in the 50 back (23.91) and 100 back (51.22) at the Ohio State Invitational in November, and posted a team-best 1:52.48 in the 200 back in the season finale against Oakland on Jan. 25. The Spartans also have two strong divers in sophomores Ivan Zalessov and David Garry.

Michigan State will need top performances from everyone on the team, as the Big Ten Championships field is a tough one. Seven of the nation's top 18 teams in the latest CSCAA poll are Big Ten squads, and an eighth team is among those receiving votes. No. 4 Michigan, No. 7 Indiana and No. 8 Minnesota highlight the 10-team field.

"It's a really strong field. I think it's the strongest field in the country without a doubt," Gianiodis said. "There are seven teams ranked, and I feel Wisconsin (receiving votes) is a top 25 team."

Competition begins with preliminary rounds at noon each day. Minnesota is the reigning Big Ten champion.

Swimmers adjust to early-morning finals (Detroit Free Pressの記事)

Detroit Free Pressに今回のグランプリでの夕方予選、午前中決勝のトライについて記事が出ています。
Michael Phelps選手、Kaitlin Sandeno 選手やKatie Hoff 選手が午前中のFainalに向けてコーヒーを飲んだり、体を温めるため帽子やブーツを履いたり、5:30からwake-up swimをするなど、早朝の行動を通常と変えてよい結果を出していることや、Ryan Lochte選手やDavis Tarwater選手が前日夕方の予選より決勝タイムを落としてしまったことなどが書かれています。
Ann Arbor Newsの記事によるとKaitlin Sandeno 選手はいつもより熱いシャワーを浴び、オートミールを食べて、重ね着をして体温を上げているとのこと。
Phelps選手は木曜日の夜にPistonsのゲームを見ているうちに寝てしまい、金曜日の朝は目覚ましが鳴る前に起きたとのことで、「普段の午前中よりしっかり体が動く。この大会は午前中に速く泳ぐ経験をすることができる良いチャンスを与えてくれている。」とコメントしています。

Detroit Free Pressの記事
Swimmers adjust to early-morning finals

May 18, 2007

By JO-ANN BARNAS

FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER

Michael Phelps woke up at 6 a.m. Friday and did something unusual. He drank a cup of coffee.

When Kaitlin Sandeno got out of bed, she put on a cap and her Ugg boots in an attempt to raise her body temperature. On the way to the pool, she cranked up the music in her car.

Katie Hoff said she went for a “wake-up swim” at 5:30 in the morning.

For many of the swimmers who qualified out of their preliminaries Thursday night and advanced to Friday morning’s finals at the Eric Namesnik Memorial Grand Prix, gearing up for their races proved to be a little harder than they thought.

The results showed that some adjusted better than others.

The four-day meet at Canham Natatorium in Ann Arbor is the first event of the season in the United States to mimic the time format that will be used at the 2008 Beijing Olympics: preliminaries in the evening, finals in the morning.

The meet’s first day official concluded Friday morning with Michael Phelps and Kaitlin Sandeno of Club Wolverine leading the way with each posting victories in two individual events.

Phelps, eight-time 2004 Athens Olympic medalist, won the men’s 400-meter freestyle and 200 individual medley, while Sandeno continued her comeback with victories in the women’s 400 free and women’s 200 IM.

She said she followed Club Wolverine coach Bob Bowman’s guidelines to adjust to the time change, including taking her warm-up more seriously.

“Not that I slack, but I kind of (usually) just goof around with warm ups,” said Sandeno, three-time 2004 Olympic medalist who moved a year ago to Ann Arbor to train. “But today I really tried to do everything Bob said. I’m a little bit more mature now and I know I can’t get away with stuff I used to when I was 17 or 18 years old. I’m just trying to get prepared for 2008 and hopefully I’ll be in Beijing. This is the way we’re doing it, so start early and play around with it.”

Sandeno also anchored Club Wolverine’s A team to victory in the women’s 4x100 freestyle relay.

In his first meet since winning seven gold medals at the World Swimming Championships last month in Melbourne, Australia, Phelps said he fell asleep watching the Pistons’ game Thursday night and, for the first time in a while, woke up before his alarm went off Friday morning.

“I was much more awake than I normally am in the morning,” Phelps said. “This event is really going to give us a good chance to be able to experience having to swim fast in the morning.”

Phelps’ time in winning the 400 free (3:55.33) was more than three seconds faster than his prelim time Thursday night (3:58.64). His time improved even more in the 200 IM — 2:02.46 on Friday morning compared to 2:06.95 in posting the top prelim time Thursday night.

But not all the athletes went faster. Ryan Lochte’s time in taking fourth in the 200IM final (2:07.67) was slower than his prelim (2:07.61). Davis Tarwater was nearly three seconds slower in the finals of 400 free than he was in his prelim. He was seventh.

Sandeno was one of two swimmers in the women’s 400-free final to beat her prelim time.

Asked if he was able to ascertain much information out of Friday’s morning finals, Bowman said: “Not too much yet. It shows that a lot of people were not ready to swim – they didn’t get significantly faster. Some people did. It seems like the very top swimmers (did), but I think we have to get everybody a little more excited about being more aggressive in the morning.”

In other finals results: Vanessa Garcia won the women’s 50 free in 25.93 seconds. Eastern Michigan’s Derrick Roe, who joined Club Wolverine three weeks ago, won the men’s 50 free in 23.52. Club Wolverine’s B team in the 4x100-free relay (anchored by Peter Vanderkaay) defeated Club Wolverine’s A team (anchored by Phelps).

The meet continues later today with prelims in six events.

Ann Arbor Newsの記事

Adjusting to different routines
Swimmers alter their schedules to prepare for Beijing in 2008

Saturday, May 19, 2007

BY JOHN HEUSER

News Sports Reporter

Routines went by the wayside for some of the world's best swimmers Friday morning.

Kaitlin Sandeno awoke at 6 a.m. without an alarm, "which is really weird for me.'' Same with Michael Phelps, the world record-holder in four individual events.

"I haven't woken up before the alarm in a long time,'' he said.

Phelps, who abstains from coffee in the morning, had a cup before heading to Canham Natatorium from his Ann Arbor condominium. Sandeno took an extra-hot shower, ate a bowl of oatmeal and piled on the clothes to help raise her body temperature to the point it normally reaches later in the day.

At Canham, Sandeno warmed up with unusual vigor, the better to prepare for her 400-meter freestyle and 200 individual medley championship races at the Eric Namesnik Memorial Grand Prix.

Instead of being slotted for afternoon or evening, the finals at the Namesnik event - which continues through Sunday - are being contested in the morning.

"We're all there yawning with our coffee and our bagels, trying to get ready,'' Sandeno said. "Mentally, when I come into the finals, I want to be feisty, really fired up, really pumped up.''

Although Sandeno admitted it was a bit of a chore altering her normal race schedule, she approached the change matter-of-factly.

"Hopefully, I'll be in Beijing, and this is the way we're doing it (there),'' Sandeno said.

Beijing, the site of the 2008 Summer Olympics, will also feature the flip-flopped racing - preliminaries late in the day, finals early - to accommodate the wishes of television network NBC, which will provide live prime-time championship swimming coverage to audiences in the United States.

If Friday's results are any indicator, Sandeno adapted well to the change. The two-time Olympian won both her individual races, then anchored the first-place 400-freestyle relay. Phelps, too, appeared to have little difficulty with the new schedule.

Less than 48 hours after returning to Michigan from an intense three-week training camp in Colorado Springs, Colo., Phelps took first in his individual races, the 400 freestyle and the 200 IM.

"I didn't have any trouble getting up and going for it,'' Phelps said. "... As a whole, I think it was a good experience for us to have this because it's something that's completely different than what we're used to.''

In the third individual event final contested Friday, the 50 freestyle, Vanessa Garcia from Team Puerto Rico won the women's race. Club Wolverine's Derrick Roe, an Eastern Michigan student, won the men's sprint.

More travel on the way

Despite travels in recent months to Australia for the World Championships, to China and to Colorado, Phelps won't stay put in Ann Arbor long. In June, he and several other Club Wolverine members are scheduled to fly to Europe for the Mare Nostrum swim tour that will make stops in the French city of Canet, Barcelona and Monaco.

"There's a group of us heading over there,'' Phelps said. "Traveling around Europe a little bit and swimming a little bit.''

Kelly impresses

Pioneer High School graduate Margaret Kelly, who just completed her freshman year at Michigan, made a positive impression Friday, finishing second to Sandeno in the 200 IM and placing fourth in 50 freestyle. She set personal bests in both events.

"We've been training so hard, I really didn't expect to go those times,'' said Kelly, who also contributed to Club Wolverine's 400 freestyle relay, swimming lead off.

Future Wolverine

Daniel Madwed, 18, who attended high school for three years in Stamford, Conn., transferred as a senior to a school in Towson, Md. where he will take his last final exam Monday.

"I wasn't getting what I needed from my old team, so I decided to pack up and move,'' said Madwed, who is living with his grandparents in Towson and swimming with the North Baltimore Aquatic Club.

Madwed will remain with the club - where Phelps got his start under current Michigan men's coach Bob Bowman - through the Olympics. After that, Madwed plans to move to Ann Arbor and begin classes at Michigan.

Madwed said he believes he can make the U.S. Olympic squad in 2008, perhaps in his top event, the 200 butterfly. The final for that event at

the Namesnik Grand Prix will be held Sunday. Madwed placed fourth in Friday's 400 freestyle.

John Heuser can be reached

at jheuser@annarbornews.com or 734-994-6816.

MSU vs Oakland

金曜日の夜は、今シーズン最後の対抗戦がありました。Division2のOakland Universityとの大会でしたが、残念ながら負けてしまったようです。コーチの話によりますと、相手はこの試合のためにテーパーしてきたようです。

勝は200Fr、100Fｒ、100Flyと4×100Frリレーに出場しました。20OFrのタイムは先週より0.05秒だけ上がってましたが、Big TenやNCAAを考えると、もう少しあげておいて欲しいところです。

200Fr  1:39.69
   23.58-49.10 (25.52)-1:14.62 (25.52)-1:39.69 (25.07)
今シーズンのベストで、昨年テーパー無しの大会のベストが
   1:39.99(23.31-25.38-25.80-25.50)
でしたので、ほんの0.3秒ほどの向上ですが、後半は強くなっているようです。前半をもう少し上げておいて欲しいところでした。

100Fr  46.70
    22.57-46.70 (24.13)
このタイムは昨年のテーパー無しの大会のベスト
    22.39-46.38 (23.99)
より少し遅いタイムです。コーチの話では、筋肉が付いて回復が遅くなっているのも影響しているようです。

100Fly  52.37
    23.98-52.37 (28.39)
後半ガタ落ちのタイムです。

4×100Frリレー 3:05.23
1) Schmitt, Joe
    22.69-47.18 (47.18)
2) Lessard, Jon   
    1:09.32 (22.14)-1:33.60 (46.42)
3) Koba, Sho
    1:55.66 (22.06)-2:19.45 (45.85(23.79)) 
4) Vadney, Jason
    2:41.33 (21.88)-3:05.52 (46.07)
リレーでは少し後半のタイムを上げてきたようです。

次回の大会は地区大会になるBig Tenです。この大会でNCAAの標準タイムを切って、何とか出場権を得て欲しいと思います。

大会結果

MSUのHPの記事

Women's Swimming And Diving Concludes Regular Season With Win

Spartan women defeat Oakland, men topped in final meet.

Printer-Friendly Format   E-mail this article Adam Schmitt turned in three first-place performances against Oakland.

Jan. 19, 2007

Final Stats

ROCHESTER, Mich. - The Michigan State women closed out the regular season with a victory over host Oakland on Friday night, 170-128, while the men dropped their final dual, 164-136.

Junior Adam Schmitt turned out three first-place finishes, topping the competition in the 50 (20.77) and 100 freestyles, and adding a third win in the 200 IM, with a time of 1:53.35.

Megan Reponen led the way for the women claiming victory in the 100 (58.70) and 200 (2:09.43) butterfly.

Kryzstof Olszewski also had two wins, leading the way in the 1000 freestyle with a time of 9:39.57 and in the 500 freestyle (4:35.29). In addition, Olszewski placed second in the 200 butterfly (1:56.57).

Julie Kahn, Sarah Biasello and Betsy DeJonge each turned in two top-three finishes for the women. Kahn touched the wall in 53.22 to claim first in the 100 freestyle, and then turned in a second-place effort in the 200 freestyle (1:56.04). Biasello finished the 100 breastroke in third place (1:07.13), and then ended the day with a win in the 200 breastroke (2:24.11). Mara Loniewski out touched the competition winning the 200 freestyle (1:54.61). Loniewski also claimed second in the 500 freestyle in 5:07.80. DeJonge ended the season in second in the 50 freestyle (24.63) and third in the 100 freestyle (54.01)

For the men, Sho Koba had a first and second-place finish. Winning the 200 freestyle in 1:39.69, and coming in second in the 100 freestyle (46.70).

Other top finishers were Sasha Lewerenz who won the 100 backstroke (57.42), Matt McNichols who took second 200 freestyle (1:43.37), and Emma Schaefer who placed second in the 200 IM (2:10.25).


On the boards, the women had another successful day sweeping both the one- and three-meter boards. Katie Edwards grabbed first on the three meter with a score of 288.75, she was followed by teammates Alycia Mokedanz (264.07), and Allie Sayers (256.05). On the one-meter, Schmidt claimed top honors with a 256.15, Sayers came in second (251.92), and Edwards rounded out the top three (249.75)

For the men, Ivan Zalessov finished the day in second on both boards, posting a score of 310.72 on the three meter, and 289.27 on the one-meter. David Garry took third (263.40) on the three meter, and Matt Akerley placed third (269.85) on the one meter.

Michigan State had 12 other swimmers turn in a total of 17 third-place finishes. The Michigan State women closed out the season with a record of 3-5-1, while the men end the dual season 1-6-0. The Spartans will have a break in action, before heading to the Big Ten Championship meet. The women will compete at the Big Ten Meet from Feb. 8-11 in Minneapolis, Minn., while the men will head to Ohio State to compete Feb. 16-19.

US Openの結果

今年のUS Openの結果はあまり芳しくありませんでした。今回の結果と過程をしっかり解析して次につなげて欲しいです。

11月30日
800Frリレー  7:47.23 7位
1) *Koba, Sho 19
     27.36-56.57 (29.19)-1:26.16 (29.59)-1:55.25 (29.09)
2) Schmitt, Adam J 20
     2:22.51 (27.26)-2:52.66 (57.41)-3:22.39 (1:27.14)-3:51.89 (1:56.64)
3) Vadney, Jason C 21
     4:18.29 (26.40)-4:47.81 (55.92)-5:17.91 (1:26.02)-5:48.06 (1:56.17)
4) Strickler, Gabe R 18
     6:14.65 (26.59)-6:44.68 (56.62)-7:16.08 (1:28.02)-7:47.23 (1:59.17)

12月1日
200Fr 1:56.65 43位
     26.53-55.44 (28.91)-1:25.94 (30.50)-1:56.65 (30.71)

12月2日
100Fr 54.81 75位
     26.43-54.81 (28.38)

400Frリレー 3:35.15 13位
1) *Koba, Sho 19
     26.17-54.53 (28.36)
2) Strickler, Gabe R 18
     1:20.95 (26.42)-1:49.40 (54.87)
3) Vadney, Jason C 21
     2:14.88 (25.48)-2:42.82 (53.42)
4) Schmitt, Adam J 20
     3:08.34 (25.52)-3:35.15 (52.33)



MSU HPの記事 その1

U.S. Open Update

Men's relays highlight first two days.

Printer-Friendly Format   E-mail this article Junior Adam Schmitt was a member of the seventh-place 800-meter relay team at the U.S. Open

Dec. 1, 2006

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Swimming against some of the nation's most elite and Olympic swimmers, the Michigan State men's 800-meter relay team captured seventh place against a tough field on Thursday, posting a time of 7:47.23.

MSU freshman Sho Koba got the group started, posting a team best 1:55.25; he was joined by Adam Schmitt, Jason Vadney and Gabe Strickler to garner the seventh-place finish.

Also competing on Thursday, in the long-course 200-meter IM, Marcus Poteete and Jon LaRocque finished in 60th and 65th-places, respectively, while Schmitt, a junior from Grand Haven, Mich., grabbed 43rd in the 50 freestyle.

Vadney, Poteete, Kris Olszewski, Sasha Lewerenz and Heather Kiluk also gained valuable experience, swimming in time trials at the U.S. Open.

On Friday, Kiluk, MSU's varsity record holder in the 400 IM, finished the event in 64th, with a time of 5:13.95.

The men's 400-meter medley relay captured fourth in the second heat of the preliminary race to grab 20th place overall; the group of LaRocque, Poteete, Vadney and Schmitt turned in a time of 4:02.55.

The U.S. open will continue Saturday, with preliminary races beginning at 9 a.m. The finals are scheduled for 6 p.m. Complete results can be found at usaswimming.org.




MSU HPの記事 その2

Swimming Finishes Out Final Day At U.S. Open

Adam Schmitt posts top-35 finish in 100 freestyle.

Printer-Friendly Format   E-mail this article Adam Schmitt was one of nine MSU swimmers to compete at the 2006 U.S. Open

Dec. 2, 2006

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Adam Schmitt led the Michigan State men's swim team, in the third and final day of the U.S. Open, finishing the 100-meter freestyle in a tie for 34th place as he touched the wall in 52.95.

Sho Koba (54.81) and Gabe Strickler (55.15) also competed in the event, finishing 75th and 77th, respectively. U.S. Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps had the fastest preliminary time out of the 91 competitors, with a 50.56.

Kris Olszewski swam to a third-place finish in the first of six heats in the 1500 freestyle. Olszewski posted a time of 16:11.36.

"We went down for the experience and exposure for our program," said MSU head coach Matt Gianiodis. "We had a lot of freshman on the trip, so it was good for them to swim in such a competitive environment. Our men's 800 meter-relay ended up in seventh in the long-course pool yesterday, so we'll see how well they can do the rest of the season."

The Michigan State men's and women's swimming and diving teams compete against Ball State on Dec. 9 in the final home meet of 2006 at the Charles McCaffree Pool in the IM West Building. The meet is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.       

MSU vs Michigan, Prinston

金曜日に引き続き土曜日も対抗戦でした。今回は初の遠征試合ですが、かって知ったるMichiganのCanham Natatriumです。Ann Arborの知人も応援にいってくれていたはずです。

勝の結果は以下のようでした。

200Fr
1:40.61(23.52-48.71(25.19)-1:14.52(25.81)-1:40.61(26.09))
タイムは昨日より少し良くなっていますが、ペース配分は段々ペースが落ちていくパターンでした。

500Fr
4:44.96(25.30-53.50(28.20)-1:22.04(28.54)-1:50.62(28.58)-2:19.03(28.41)-2:47.70(28.63)-3:16.79(29.09)-3:46.30(29.51)-4:15.82(29.52)-4:44.96(29.14))
300ヤードまではそこそこのペースでしたが、その後が落ちてしまいました。そこからあげていけるようになれるといいのですが。

400Frリレー
3:07.18
22.88-47.02(24.14)-
1:09.62(22.60)-1:32.86(45.84)-
1:55.24(22.38)-2:20.92(48.06)-
2:43.04(22.12)-3:07.18(46.26(24.14))
1) Strickler, Gabe FR             
2) Schmitt, Adam JR               
3) Schmitt, Joseph FR             
4) Koba, Sho FR

大会結果

MSU HPの記事

MSU Men Fall To Michigan And Princeton
Ivan Zallesov captures first in three meter diving.

Printer-Friendly Format   E-mail this article Ivan Zallesov captures win in three-meter diving.

Nov. 11, 2006

Final Stats

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The Michigan State men's swimming and diving team was bested by both Michigan and Princeton on Saturday. The Wolverines defeated MSU, 173-102, while the final margin against Princeton was 152-130. MSU freshman Ivan Zallesov (Okemos, Mich.) was the only Spartan to contribute an individual win, taking first on the three-meter board with a score of 303.60.

Adam Schmitt led the Spartan team, breaking into the top three in three different events. Schmitt's top finish of the day was second in the 50 freestyle, with a time of 21.06. He also turned in third-place performances in the 100 breaststroke (58.09) and the 100 freestyle (45.85).

Sho Koba also saw success, turning in third-place finishes in both the 200 freestyle (1:40.61) and 500 freestyle (4:44.96).

Other top-three performances for MSU were by Krzysztof Olszewski, a second-place finish in the 500 freestyle (4:43.47) and Marcus Poteete, third in the 200 breaststroke (2:12.97).

"I want to give a lot of credit to Krzysztof (Olszewski) and Ivan (Zallesov)," said head coach Matt Gianiodis. "Ivan did a great job on the three meter. I thought we had great swims out of Adam Schmitt and Sho Koba. I was impressed with how some of our swimmers were able to handle the tough turnaround from last night--I just wish we had adjusted better to compete against Princeton."

The Spartan men will compete in their first invitational of the season, next weekend at Northwestern. The event will be held from Nov. 17-19 in Evanston, Ill.

MSU vs Notre Dame

金曜日の夕方は、ホームプールでNotre Dameとの対抗戦がありました。勝の結果は先日のIowa戦より少しは良くなったようですがまだまだです。
明日はAnn ArborでMsu、Michigan、Prinstonの三校による対抗戦です。明日はもうちょっと良いタイムで泳いでくれればと思います。

200Fr
1:41.05 (24.09-25.79-25.64-25.53)
これまでのペース配分だと、3/4のところでタイムが落ちていましたが、今回はしっかりあがっています。練習の成果が出ているのか？それとも、タイムが遅いからなのか？

100Fr
48.33 (23.23-25.10)

200Frリレー
1:26.53 (21.34-21.83-21.94-21.42)
1) Schmitt, Adam J 20             
2) Strickler, Gabriel R 18       
3) Koba, Sho Z 19                  
4) Schmitt, Joseph D 18    

MSU vs Notre Dameの結果

MSU HPの記事

Men's and Women's Swimming And Diving Bested By Notre Dame

Adam Schmitt picks up multiple wins.

Printer-Friendly Format   E-mail this article

Nov. 10, 2006

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - The Michigan State men's swimming and diving team was defeated by Notre Dame, 165-75, while the women were topped by the Fighting Irish, 155.5-86.5, on Friday night.

The women picked up 11 top-three finishes for Michigan State, with Allison Sayers and Katie Edwards going one-two in both the one- and three-meter boards.

Sayers (261.22) grabbed first on the three meter, with Edwards finishing just behind her with 256.20 points. Edwards went on to win the one-meter board with 251.70 points, and Sayers took second (234.90).

For the men, MSU's Adam Schmitt picked up wins in both the 200 IM (1:54.33) and the 100 freestyle (45.52). Spartan Marcus Poteete took third with a time of 1:55.90, finishing behind Schmitt and Ross Moore (1:54.50) of Notre Dame.

Poteete finished with a win of his own in the 200 breaststroke touching the wall in 2:09.89. MSU freshman Brad Smith placed third in the event with a time of 2:15.72.

Three other MSU swimmers placed in the top-three in two events. Krzysztof Olszewski turned in a time of 9:24.06 to win the 1000 freestyle, and then took third in the 500 freestyle (4:36.95). Emma Schaeffer took second (2:29.97) in the 200 breast, and third in the 1000 freestyle (10:36.12). Cassie Hamilton placed second in the 200 backstroke (2:09.67) and third in the 200 breastroke (2:33.29).

Other top-three finishers for the Spartans were Sho Koba (1:41.05), second in the 200 freestyle; Betsy DeJonge (25.11), tied for second in the 50 freestyle; David Lessard third in the 50 freestyle in 22.05; Heather Kiluk took third in the 200 IM in 2:10.70; and Alison Johnson grabbed third in the 200 butterfly (2:12.69).

With the losses, the women fall to 2-3 for the season, while the men drop to 0-2. The Spartans will have another opportunity for victory, as the men will continue road action on Saturday in Ann Arbor, Mich., at 11 a.m., while the women will welcome Ohio State to East Lansing at 9 a.m.

Ann Arbor Newsの記事

今日、Ann Arborからの出張者が新聞を持ってきてくれました。先週3月30日の新聞に勝の記事が載っていたためです。勝の大きな写真と三つの記事が載っていました。

一つは、
Winning, and learning
Koba dominates in pool, assimilates into American life
という題目で、勝がアメリカの生活になじんできたことや、両親と離れて暮らすことで、食事や睡眠時間についてうるさく言われなくなって、生活が楽になり楽しんでいると書かれています。そうでもないとは思いますが。
また記事の中でAnn Arbor Newsの Swimmer of the Yearを２年連続で獲得したことも記載されています。

二つ目は、
Pioneer shows championship mettle
Pioneers defend state title after a dominating performance in 2005
という表題で、Pioneer HSのState Championに関することが書かれており、勝のことも少しコメントがあります。

三つ目は、
FIRST TEAM
という内容で、今年Ann Arbor近郊で活躍した11名の水泳選手がFirst teamとして取り上います。ちなみにSecond teamとして更に10名の選手の名前があがっています。

Winning, and learning
Koba dominates in pool, assimilates into American life

Thursday, March 30, 2006
BY JEFF ARNOLD
News Sports Reporter

Between the knit ski cap fitted snugly around his head and the purple Pioneer High School varsity jacket embroidered with his recognizable three-letter first name, Sho Koba has adjusted to life as an American teenager.

Three years after arriving in Ann Arbor from Japan, Koba has integrated into his new surroundings, spending his free time at the mall and comparing dream cars with his school classmates.

But in the pool, where perhaps he feels more comfortable than in any other setting, Koba has managed to separate himself from the rest of his competition. His performance in the final year of a standout Pioneer career capped by another pair of individual Division 1 state championships has earned him the title of Ann Arbor News Swimmer of the Year for the second consecutive time.

"He really is kind of a special person that only comes along once in a while,'' Pioneer coach Denny Hill said.

In the pool, Koba's numbers speak for themselves. During his final state championship appearance, Koba defended his state titles in the 100- and 200-yard freestyle, breaking his own state record in the 200. He also anchored Pioneer's 400 freestyle relay that set a new state mark.

Away from the pool, Koba has learned to integrate his Japanese heritage with an American lifestyle. Two months ago, when his parents returned to Japan after spending three years here, Koba chose to stay behind as a preparation exercise for his upcoming college career at Michigan State University.

"I just wanted to finish high school here, and just study more English before I go to college and learn more American stuff,'' Koba said.

Koba's indoctrination to the American way of life has been aided by teammate Jason Hass, who has filled the role of Koba's brother in a household where he is otherwise an only child.

Together, Hass and Koba have blended their two cultures, becoming closer while learning more about the other through a series of differences. Hass has learned to eat healthier while introducing Koba to such American favorites as fried fish.

Koba still finds humor in Hass' first experience with wasabi, where Hass learned first hand how spicy the traditional Japanese sushi condiment is when used in too big of a quantity.

Koba has also turned Hass onto flexibility exercises which keep him limber throughout the swim season. He has also taught Hass limited phrases in Japanese while becoming more comfortable with his English.

Koba's parents regularly check in with him, making sure he is getting enough sleep and eating healthy. But thanks to an American family, Koba's life has become easier and more enjoyable.

Koba will soon get his first lesson in fishing when he travels with Hass and his father to a lake in Jackson where they will fish for bluegills, sunfish and bass.

"I'll just learn from Jason,'' Koba said. "We'll go to the lake, and if I catch a fish, I'll just leave it without picking it up. But I want to go.''

As educational as Koba's life has become, having someone with different values and likes and dislikes has also been a new experience for Hass.

"I've tried to understand what he likes,'' Hass said. "He teaches me about things he grew up with, and I teach him things I grew up with. It's fun having a brother. I like it.''

Jeff Arnold can be reached at jarnold@annarbornews.com or 734-994-6812.

Pioneer shows championship mettle
Pioneers defend state title after a dominating performance in 2005

Thursday, March 30, 2006
BY JEFF ARNOLD
News Sports Reporter

All season long, the expectations were in place based on both tradition and past experience.

After the Pioneer High School boys swim team had cruised to the Division 1 state championship in 2005 with more than 100 points separating the Pioneers from the rest of the field, the bar had been set at an even higher level.

Not just to again finish on top, but to do so in an even more convincing fashion.

"Every year is a different story,'' Pioneer coach Denny Hill said. "You don't know who's going to come out of the woodwork, you don't know who's going to be real good.''

For the second consecutive year, the Pioneers' season ended at the top of Michigan's swim world, claiming another state title - this time by 18 points ahead of runner-up Birmingham Brother Rice. In all, the Pioneers captured three events, including two by Sho Koba and a record-setting performance in the 400-yard freestyle relay.

Pioneer also got a pair of second-place finishes by senior Chris Buck and one by Jason Hass to swim to the championship.

"I think, individually, we wish we could have gone faster,'' Hass said. "But we did what was needed. We won as a team, and that's all that matters.''

Without comparing this title to any other his program has swam to in the past, Hill said he will remember this year's team for its ability to achieve at a championship level when called upon to do so.

"This was a tough year for them because whatever they did, it wasn't going to be good enough,'' Hill said. "But I think they proved that they are the best team in the state, and I think that's what they should go away with.''

Jeff Arnold can be reached at jarnold@annarbornews.com or 734-994-6812.

FIRST TEAM
Thursday, March 30, 2006

Chris Berloth (Huron) - Berloth placed eighth in the 200-yard individual medley at the Division 1 championships and fourth in the consolation finals of the 100 butterfly.

Ryan Bordine (Milan) - The junior tied for fifth in the 100 freestyle at the Division 2 championships after qualifying for the state meet in five events.

Chris Buck (Pioneer) - The senior recorded a second-place swim in the 50 freestyle at the D-1 championships while finishing as the state runner-up in the 100 freestyle. Buck also swam the lead leg in the record-breaking 400 freestyle relay, helping lead the Pioneers to their second straight team title.

Pat Buck (Pioneer) - The junior placed third in the 100 backstroke and won the consolation championship in the 200 IM at the D-1 championships. Buck's time in the 100 backstroke also was within All-American time standards.

Sean Cleary (Chelsea) - The senior was the area's top diver in state competition, placing fourth at the D-2 championships. Cleary was 6-0 in Southeastern Conference competition and was 13-1 overall.

Jason Hass (Pioneer) - After winning a pair of conference titles at the SEC championships, Hass turned in a second-place finish in the D-1 100 butterfly and a fifth-place finish in the 200 IM. Hass also swam on the Pioneers' 400 freestyle relay.

Sho Koba (Pioneer) - The senior defended his D-1 state championships in both the 100 and 200 freestyle. In the 200, Koba broke his own state record with a swim of 1 minutes, 38.16 seconds. Koba also anchored Pioneer's 400 freestyle relay, which also broke a state record the Pioneers set in the D-1 preliminaries.

Kirk Kumbier (Dexter) - The junior placed fifth in the 100 breaststroke at the Division 2 meet while also finishing second in the consolation finals of the 200 individual medley.

Aaron Renton (Pinckney) - The senior capped his career by placing eighth in the 50 freestyle at the D-1 state championships after claiming Kensington Valley Conference titles in the 50 and 100 freestyle. Renton also holds the Pinckney school record in two individual events and was part of two record-setting relays.

Robert Steele (Pioneer) - Steele placed eighth in the 200 freestyle while rounding out Pioneer's 400 freestyle relay. Steele's time in the 200 freestyle qualified him within All-American time standards.

Scott Yarbrough (Tecumseh) - The SEC champion in the 100 breaststroke placed third at the D-2 state championships, putting the finishing touches on a solid season.

Top relay: Pioneer's 400 free relay (C. Buck, Hass, Steele, Koba) - The foursome capped Pioneer's team title with a record-breaking swim, breaking its own record set in the D-1 preliminaries.

Detroit Newsの記事

3月12日にDetroit Newsに出ていた記事です。
State大会の予選の後に私もインタビューされましたが、一言だけコメントが掲載されていました。せっかく10分くらい話をしたんですから、もっと載せてくれればいいのにと思いました。
「win_or_lose_teens_give_their_all__031206__the_detroit_news.htm」をダウンロード

'Sho Time'

Saturday was the final curtain call for "Sho Time" in Ann Arbor. And Sho Koba didn't disappoint.

A senior who moved to Ann Arbor from Japan with his family in the summer of 2003, Koba added three more state swimming titles -- and a pair of state records -- to his impressive list of career accomplishments, leading Ann Arbor Pioneer to its fourth championship in five years.

Koba, a 2008 Olympic hopeful for his native Japan, defended his titles in the 100- and 200-yard freestyle events, setting a Division I record (1 minute, 38.16 seconds) in the latter. He also anchored Pioneer's 400 freestyle relay team to victory, also in state-record time (3:06.77).

In the stands cheering was one tired but elated father. Hiro Koba and his wife, who moved to Ann Arbor after his job transfer to the Toyota Tech Center, returned home in January.

But Sho, whose sense of humor has made him a hit with his classmates, stayed behind, moving in with teammate Jason Hass and his family to finish out the school year.

"At the airport when they left, there was no hugging or anything like that -- their culture's a lot different than ours, obviously," said Pioneer coach Dennis Hill, who now has 27 state titles to his credit -- 14 of them with the Pioneer boys team.

"But there were definitely tears. It was a tough decision for them. But I think it has been good for Sho -- he has really matured, his English has improved tremendously, and he really has dealt with it well."

His father said much the same Friday, barely 24 hours after arriving in Detroit from Japan and a whirlwind week of business travel in Europe to watch his son's final high school meet.

"It is a good opportunity for him -- a learning experience before he goes to college," said Hiro Koba, whose son will attend Michigan State University on a swimming scholarship in the fall while also continuing off-season training alongside Michael Phelps & Co. in Ann Arbor.

Sho and his parents have stayed in touch through weekly phone calls and e-mails, but Saturday's celebration certainly offered a more personal touch -- and that meant the world to Koba.

"I'm very happy they were here to see this," he said, smiling.

Detroit NewsのState大会記事

Sunday, March 12, 2006
Swimming: Division 1

Pioneer repeats as champions
Ann Arbor school pulls away from Brother Rice midway through meet for 14th state title overall.strong>
Matthew A. Goricki / Special to The Detroit News
「pioneer_repeats_as_champions__031206__the_detroit_news.htm」をダウンロード

ANN ARBOR -- The Ann Arbor Pioneer boys swimming team did what it always seems to do on championship weekend.

Pioneer gained separation in the middle of the Division 1 meet and won its second consecutive championship and 14th overall Saturday at University of Michigan's Canham Nataroium..

Pioneer finished with 246 points, outperforming Birmingham Brother Rice (228) in the second half of the meet. Livonia Stevenson (201.5) was third.

After six events, Pioneer led Brother Rice by just 11 points heading into the 100-yard freestyle. Pioneer senior Sho Koba won the event (45.94 seconds) and teammate Chris Buck took second (46.30), helping Pioneer take a commanding 158-122 lead.

"It's a full meet because you have all these different events," Pioneer coach Denny Hill said. "We scored everybody except in the diving, breaststroke and 500 free. The meet goes like that with all the different events and the flow. That was very big for us, to get that big lead."

Koba also was part of two Division 1 records, winning the 200 freestyle (1:38.16) and anchoring the 400 freestyle relay (3:06.77).

"I just trained hard this year," Koba said. "Last year, I did pretty good. This year, I kept on trying to go the fastest. I set a goal time from the beginning of the season to go faster."

Pioneer easily won the finals last year, finishing 105 points ahead of the second-place team. Hill said the pressure on his team was elevated.

"I think the pressure this year was because they won so big last year," Hill said. "The pressure was on them all year. If they screwed up it really made you look bad. They held together pretty good and came out real nice."

Holland's Adam Dejong set the Division 1 record in the 500 freestyle (4:31.21).

Matthew A. Goricki is a free-lance writer.

Detroit Free PressのState大会記事

Detroit Free PressのState大会決勝に関する記事です。
「pioneers_claim_14th_state_swimming_title2006.03.11.htm」をダウンロード

Pioneers claim 14th state swimming title
March 11, 2006
Email this Print this BY WRIGHT WILSON

FREE PRESS SPECIAL WRITER
Denny Hill is familiar with the routine by now: take off shoes and socks, roll up pant cuffs, stuff wallet in coat, hand cell phone to assistant, empty pockets, remove watch, get dunked in pool.

Another recognizable part of the post-meet celebration for Hill, the Ann Arbor Pioneer swimming coach, includes accepting the state championship trophy. Hill and the Pioneers won their 14th state title Saturday at University of Michigan’s Canham Natatorium, their second straight and fourth in the past five years.

Pioneer scored 246 points, holding off challenges from Birmingham Brother Rice (228), Livonia Stevenson (201.5) and Northville (200).
“It sure doesn’t get old,” said Hill, in his 38th season as coach. “The trouble we had was that we were expected to win. People thought we were so good that anything we did wrong wasn’t going to work, so there was a lot of pressure.”

The three other contending teams were within striking distance, but the Pioneers went out with a bang, setting a Division 1 state record in the final race. Chris Buck, Jason Hass, Robert S teele and Sho Koba swam the 400 freestyle relay in 3:06.77, breaking their mark of 3:08.18 set in Friday’s preliminaries.

“I think we did pretty good,” Koba said.“I thought we could go fast, and to break the state record was our goal this year. Everyone went as fast as we can so we could get the title.”

Koba, who was voted swimmer of the meet, defended his individual championships in the 200 freestyle (a state-record 1:38.16) and the 100 free (45.94). Koba, a native of Japan, has won eight events at state since moving to Ann Arbor three years ago.

Buck made it a 1-2 Pioneer finish in the 100 free and was also runner-up to Grand Haven’s Joe Schmitt (21.15) in the 50 free.

Schmitt’s older brother, Adam, won the same event in 2004, but Joe said he didn’t draw upon his brother’s advice in order to swim well Saturday.

“I like to prep for it in my own way,” he said. “The 50 is all-out. I just try to get a good start, bury my head and keep going, so I can get a good time.”

Holland’s Adam DeJong set a state record in the 500 free for the second consecutive day (4:31.21).

Other individual champions included Northville’s Chris Keady in the individual medley (1:52.66), Lake Orion’s Brandon Figurski in diving (407.60 points), U-D Jesuit’s Tony Wahl in the butterfly (50.11), Zeeland’s Jordan Diekema in the backstroke (51.28) and Walled Lake Northern’s Roman Sandler in the breaststroke (59.36). Brother Rice won the 200 medley relay (1:35.67), and Stevenson took the 200 free relay (1:25.61).

Ann Arbor NewsのState大会記事

Ann Arbor NewsのState大会決勝に関する記事です。勝の写真も掲載されていました。
「MLive_2006.03.12.htm」をダウンロード

Koba's big day, record-setting final relay nets another title
Sunday, March 12, 2006
BY ROB HOFFMAN
News Sports Reporter

Any suspense whether Pioneer High School would capture its fourth boys swimming state title in the last five years disappeared Saturday afternoon when Chris Buck wrapped up the first leg of the 400-yard freestyle relay.

Pioneer entered the final event of the Division 1 swimming championships at University of Michigan's Canham Natatorium with a 10-point lead over second-place Birmingham Brother Rice. To win the title, all Pioneer needed was a runner-up finish in the 400 relay.

But that wasn't part of the agenda for Buck or any other member of Pioneer's team. The senior, who finished second in the 50 and 100 freestyles earlier in the afternoon, had a substantial lead by the end of his 100-yard leg. His teammates kept building on it until Sho Koba touched the wall at 3 minutes, 6.77 seconds - nearly 4 seconds ahead of second-place Northville and more than a second ahead of the state-record time of 3:08.78 set by the Pioneers at last year's state meet.

With its final flourish, Pioneer locked up an 18-point victory over Rice to win its second straight title and the 27th overall for Pioneer coach Denny Hill, who now has 14 boys titles and 13 girls titles.

"That's a lot of championships,'' said a sopping wet Hill, who celebrated the title by jumping into the Canham pool with swimmers, his wife Liz and his other assistant coaches. "Every one of them is special.''

The victory dip was part of a raucous celebration that included Pioneer swimmers waving a homemade "PHS'' flag on the medal stand, wild cheering fans slathered with purple body paint tooting horns and Koba donning a rubber Buddha mask that he had brought with him for luck.

But Koba, a Japanese transfer student who will swim at Michigan State University next year, really didn't need luck as he closed his prep career by once again showcasing his amazing speed.

Besides anchoring the 400 relay, Koba captured his second straight 100 free and third straight 200 free title. In the latter event, he also broke the state record for the third straight year.

"I wanted to go a little bit faster,'' said Koba, who was named Division 1 boys swimmer of the year at the end of the meet, "But it's still good.''

Describing Koba as "something else,'' Hill also had high praise for the other nine swimmers on his state team who helped push Pioneer into the lead for good by the fourth of 11 events.

Among other highlights were Buck's two runner-up finishes, Jason Hass finishing second in the 100 butterfly and fifth in the 200 individual medley and Chris Buck's younger brother Pat placing third in the 100 back. The only events without a top-eight Pioneer finish were the 500 freestyle, 100 breaststroke and diving.

"The kids were really competitive,'' Hill said. "We had some great swims where we almost didn't need them.''

Hill said his swimmers deserve a lot of credit for overcoming obstacles this season that included early season losses and trying to live up to the standards of the 2005 team, which won the championship by a whopping 105 points.

"The pressure was on them all year,'' he said. "They held together pretty well.''

No other local school finished in the top 10. Saline was highest with a 12th-place finish, followed by Huron (23rd), Pinckney (26th), South Lyon (30th) and Brighton (32nd).

Rob Hoffman can be reached at rhoffman@annarbornews.com or 734-994-6814.

Ann Arbor NewsのState大会予選の記事

Ann Arbor NewsのState大会予選に関する記事です。予選の結果順位が決勝になれば、Pioneerは2位に16点差で優勝できるようです。

Pioneer maneuvers into title position
Perennial state power solid in preliminaries from top to bottom

Saturday, March 11, 2006
BY ROB HOFFMAN
News Sports Reporter

Dustin Hennigar won't win an individual title when the Division 1 swimming championships wrap up today at the University of Michigan's Canham Natatorium.

But Friday's performance by the Pioneer High School senior has a lot to do with why coach Denny Hill's squad is in position to capture its fourth state title in the past five years.

Swimming in the first, and usually slowest heat, of the 50-yard freestyle, Hennigar dropped a nearly a second off his previous season-best time. His time of 21.98 seconds wound up being good enough to capture the 16th spot in the consolation final of the event - guaranteeing Pioneer some unexpected points in the event.

"I was kind of counting on it,'' he said. "We go into the state meet not seeded the best. But by the end of the day, it looks good for us.''

That was certainly the case Friday as Hennigar and other Pioneer swimmers either met expectations or did better during preliminary competition.

No scores were officially kept Friday. But if the times from the preliminaries were to carry over into today, Pioneer would beat its closest competitor Birmingham Brother Rice by 16 points.

"We feel pretty good, but it's still not over,'' said Denny Hill, who is trying to capture his 27th state championship and his 14th with the boys team. "It's so close that anything can happen.''

One thing that is unlikely to happen is anyone beating Pioneer senior Sho Koba, who is poised to capture his third straight 200 free and second straight 100 free title. His time in the 200 is more than a second better than the closest competitor, while second-seeded teammate Chris Buck is the only swimmer within a few strokes of Koba in the 100.

Buck, who is the top seed in the 50 free, also combined with Koba, Jason Hass and Robert Steele to claim the top seed in the 400 free relay by more than two seconds.

In all, Pioneer placed nine swimmers in event finals, three in consolation finals. The only events without a Pioneer entry are the 100 breast and 500 free. All three of Pioneer's relay teams are also in the finals.

Saline's Conor Christie had the most astonishing performance by a local swimmer. The junior was seeded second-to-last in the 100 breast and had to swim in the first heat with the slowest qualifiers.

Yet Christie proceeded to drop more than three seconds off his best time and grab the eighth and final spot in today's finals. Christie also is on the Hornets' 200 medley relay team that made the finals.

"That was exactly my goal time,'' said Christie, who credited his regained form to the team's training regimen prior to the finals. "I was so broken down all season, I never thought I'd do that.''

Rob Hoffman can be reached at rhoffman@annarbornews.com or 734-994-6814.

Detroit Free Pressの記事

Detroit Free Pressに勝の記事が載っていました。
「mick_mccabe_sho_time_is_wave_of_future.htm」をダウンロード

MICK MCCABE: Sho Time is wave of future

March 10, 2006

A little more than 2 1/2 years ago, Sho Koba didn't really want anything to do with the United States.

He was more than happy growing up in Japan and working toward a berth on his country's Olympic swimming team.

He was content to stay behind when his father was transferred to the metropolitan Detroit area but changed his mind when he thought it might be useful to learn the English language.

And now? Well, Koba had the opportunity to return to Japan when his father was transferred back, but it's tough to get the kid back on the farm after he's seen the big city, so to speak.

"I'm living with the family of a teammate," said Koba, a senior at Ann Arbor Pioneer. "I want to stay in America because I like the swimming program in the USA. There are many Olympians here."

In a couple of years, we will be able to count Koba among them.

This weekend may very well turn into Sho Time again as Koba sets his sights on four more Division 1 state titles. He'll swim two events as an individual and two as part of a relay team as Pioneer guns for its 14th state championship.

A year ago, Koba won the 100-yard and 200-yard freestyles, as well as a couple of relays. This season, his times rank among the top six in six events and he made the state meet cut in seven events.

He has also adapted to life in America so well that he signed a national letter of intent to swim at Michigan State.

During the course of the last year, his English has improved remarkably. He can now carry on casual conversations easily.

"I think it's improved since my parents have gone," he said. "I speak English all the time now. At home, I used to speak Japanese."

For his first two years at Pioneer, Koba took English as a second language. This year, he is taking regular English.

He has even grown fond of some American food.

"I like potatoes and Caesar's salad," he said. "French fries, only out of season -- too much fat in them."

Koba fell in love with the MSU campus and liked the athletic academic center. He plans on majoring in mechanical engineering, just like his father.

But before he pursues that as a vocation, he has his swimming to think about.

He wasn't sure where his swimming career was headed when he first arrived at Pioneer. He would look at coach Denny Hill and listen, but nothing registered. After all, Hill was speaking English.

"My English was pretty low," Koba said. "It was all very confusing. I wasn't sure what I was doing."

Hill even tried messing with Koba's entry into the water in which he kicks his legs behind him, creating a wave.

Eventually, Hill figured out that Koba's entry was fine and they would live with the wave.

During the last three years, Koba has become just one of the guys on the Pioneer team. He jokes with his teammates and they joke with him.

Before an event in the league meet a couple of weeks ago, Koba looked at a teammate in the next lane and kiddingly suggested: "My wave will crush you."

Get ready for Sho Time.

Contact MICK McCABE at 313-223-4744 or mmccabe@freepress.com.

State大会注目選手の記事

Ann Arbor NewsにState大会の地元注目選手の記事が出ていました。勝がホームステイしているところのJason Hassも取り上げられています。
これから私たちもState大会の応援にアメリカに向かいます。
「MLive_2006.03.08-1.htm」をダウンロード

The state swimming finals
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
FINALS FACTS

When:
Friday and Saturday.

Where:
Division 1: University of Michigan's Canham Natatorium
Division 2: Eastern Michigan University's Jones Natatorium

Friday's schedule:
Preliminaries at both sites begin at noon.

Saturday's schedule:
Championship finals at both sites begin at noon.

LOCAL SWIMMERS TO WATCH

Sho Koba (Pioneer, 200 freestyle, 100 freestyle)
The senior is the defending Division 1 champ in both events, and he set records at the SEC meet. He also holds the D-1 record in both events.

Jason Hass (Pioneer, 200 individual medley, 100 butterfly)
The junior made top-eight swims in both events at last year's championships, including a third-place performance in the 100 fly.

Kyle Begley (Saline, 200 freestyle, 500 freestyle)
The senior is a returning state qualifier. He placed seventh in the 200 at last year's Division 1 meet, and finished only behind Koba at the SEC meet.

Scott Yarbrough (Tecumseh, 100 breaststroke)
Yarbrough returns to the Division 2 state meet, where he finished eighth in the 100. His recent swim to a Southeastern Conference title will make him a top-five favorite this weekend in Ypsilanti.

Kirk Kumbier (Dexter, 200 IM, 100 breaststroke)
He finished fourth in the 100 at last year's Division 2 meet. He'll also swim on a pair of Dexter relays that should make strong showings this weekend.

Ann Arbor News記事

今日はジュネーブのホテルから更新です。

先週末のSEC決勝の記事がAnn　Arbor　Newsに掲載されていました。勝がホームステイしているところのJason　Hassがインタビューされたようです。

Pioneer swims to SEC crown
Pioneers win 9 of 12 events at league meet; Saline places second

Sunday, February 26, 2006
BY JEFF ARNOLD
News Sports Reporter

Four climbs to the top of the awards stand hadn't changed Jason Hass' mind.

Never mind what the clock had indicated at Saturday's Southeastern Conference swim championships, the Pioneer High School junior still wasn't convinced the perfect race exists.

Maybe not. But Pioneer's final venture into the pool had proven close.

The Pioneers capped another SEC title run by breaking a 7-year-old pool record in the 400-yard freestyle relay, one of two pool marks and one of four conference records to tumble Saturday afternoon.

"It was good enough,'' Hass said of the 3-minute, 12.01-second time turned in by himself, Chris Buck, Robert Steele and Sho Koba that broke Toledo St. Francis' 1999 mark of 3:12.02. "I wouldn't say it was perfect, but I was very, very pleased ... You always have to have another Pioneer record up on that board.''

Pioneer registered a championship-best 670 points - 303 ahead of second-place Saline, which paced the rest of the seven-team field. The Hornets -led by Kyle Begley's win in the 500 free (4:55.08) and Joel Chambers league championship in 1-meter diving (428.34) captured conference runner-up honors for the second straight year.

Saline again slipped past SEC White champion Dexter (338) while Chelsea (313), Tecumseh (303), Adrian (160) and Lincoln (87) rounded out the league meet standings.

"This really shows our progress. We've gone from fighting to get third to going through a huge fight last year to get second and this year, there were a lot of teams really close to us,'' Saline's Begley said. "But in the end, we got second (place) again and that really shows that we've gotten to a certain level.''

But Pioneer remained on a pedestal well above the rest of the field, using the conference record books as motivation.

"It's always something new and exciting,'' Hass said. "Each (championship) is different than the one before.''

The Pioneers won nine of Saturday's 12 events, getting two individual wins from Hass (200 individual medley and 100 butterfly), two from Koba, who broke the one-day-old pool and SEC records he set Friday in the 200 free and the conference mark he set Friday in the 100 free. Other than Begley, Tecumseh's Scott Yarbrough captured the only other individual league title, winnining the 100 breaststroke in 1:01.29.

Chris and Pat Buck also delivered wins for the Pioneers, who also set two new SEC marks in the 200 and 400 free relays as a primer for its upcoming Division I state title defense.

"I think we're in pretty good shape,'' Pioneer coach Denny Hill said. "We have a little ways to go, but I think we're sitting pretty good.''

Jeff Arnold can be reached at jarnold@annarbornews.com or 734-994-6812.

先週の大会記事

Ann Arbor Newsに先週の大会記事が掲載されていました。

２月１０日の記事
「MLive_2006.02.10.htm」をダウンロード
Thursday's highlights
Friday, February 10, 2006

Athlete of the day

Tim Liederbach, Ypsilanti swimming - He won the 50-yard freestyle, 100 backstroke and was on the winning 200 medley and 400 freestyle relays in a 103-83 win over Wyandotte.

Top performers

Sho Koba, Pioneer swimming - The senior won the 500 freestyle (21.85) and 100 free (46.98) and swam the anchor leg on two relays in a double-dual victory over Livonia Stevenson and Salem.

Matt Kanelos, Brighton swimming - He won the 50-yard freestyle, 100 butterfly and helped the 200 medley relay win in a 126-60 victory over Lakeland.

Mallory Theisen, Greenhills swimming - The sophomore won the 100 butterfly, finished fourth in the 50 freestyle and swam on two second-place relays in a 85-83 win over Clawson.

２月１１日の記事
「MLive_2006.02.11.htm」をダウンロード
Pioneers sink River Rats
6 swimmers win as team places first in 11 of 12 events
Saturday, February 11, 2006
BY JEFF ARNOLD
News Sports Reporter

At this stage of the season, the last thing Denny Hill needs is for his Pioneer High School boys swim team to become bored with the day-in, day-out routine.

On occasion, Hill realizes it becomes necessary to tweak his line-up, placing swimmers in events they're not accustomed to competing in - if only to break away from the norm.

One day after the Pioneers breezed through a double-dual sweep of Livonia Stevenson and Salem and one day before 12 of Hill's swimmers will compete at the Michigan Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association meet at Eastern Michigan University, Pioneer simply took care of its business Friday night in a 133-53 win over crosstown rival Huron.

Pioneer (12-0) claimed 11 of Friday night's 12 events and had six different swimmers register first-place finishes. Senior Sho Koba (100 butterfly and 100 backstroke) and junior Jason Hass (50 freestyle and 100 breaststroke) each won two events to go along with wins by Josh D'Angelo (200 freestyle) Robert Steele (200 individual medley, Pat Buck (100 freestyle) and Mark Buster (500 freestyle).

While Pioneer's performance was business as usual, Koba set a new Pioneer-Huron dual meet record in the 100 butterfly, finishing in 51.51 seconds. His record-setting swim broke the previous mark which was set by John Stover (52.67) in 2002.

"You get those little surprises at this time of the year because you have no clue what's going to happen,'' Hill said. "But you also get some of those (swims) when they don't go as well and they'd like.

"But I still believe that if you prepare for a race, you can still go fast.''

Like Pioneer, Huron used Friday night's dual as an experiment in line-up shifting.

Senior diver Paul Dorsey earned the Rats' only victory of the night, running away with the 1-meter diving competition and finishing with a score of 206.30, well ahead of Pioneer's Ryan Rees (159.40).

While providing points for Huron, Dorsey is still hampered with a back injury he sustained at last year's state championships.

Huron (7-6) also turned in three second-place finishes as Alexander Mackenzie finished behind Koba in the 100 butterfly (55.68) to go along with runner-up performances in the 200 and 400 freestyle relays.

"Trying to win the meet would be really, really hard,'' Huron coach Chris Burnett said. "So I let them swim a little bit off or try an event they want to work on and experiment with some things. That's what we tried to do.''

Jeff Arnold can be reached at jarnold@annarbornews.com or 734-994-6812.

２月１２日の記事
「MLive_2006.02.12.htm」をダウンロード
BOYS SWIMMING

Michigan Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association Invitational - At Eastern Michigan University's Jones Natatorium, Pioneer senior Sho Koba won the 200-yard individual medley (1 minute, 56.27 seconds) and was second in the 500 freestyle (4:41.19). Pioneer won the 400 freestyle relay (3:12.20) and was second in the 200 freestyle relay (1:27.03). The meet was open to those with the top 60 times/diving point totals statewide.

北の国から

2月9日に行った富良野での写真です。

'87初恋 & '89帰郷で使われた家。

屋根の上には五郎さんへの誕生日プレゼントの風車発電機?が回ってました。

隣には五右衛門風呂。

ドラマでも使われた小野田そば屋さんで昼食の野菜天ぷらそばを食べました。

そば屋さんの中にはジュンとホタルの写真がありました。ほかにも倉本聰監督の色紙もありました。

ビデオ

勝のホストファミリーよりビデオが届きました。1月の大会を撮影したものです。久し振りに勝の泳ぎを見ましたが、なかなか頑張っていました。でもアウェイの大会が多かったのですが、慣れないプールではターンのタイミングがイマイチに見えました。

勝のホームステイ先のホストファミリーは色々気を使ってくれて大変ありがたいです。勝のために日本食作りも勉強してくれています。