Other teams to remember

Woman’s Soccer (53-30-9)

Stephanie Chavez and Megan Tuura have led the soccer program to
new levels in the last four years. During that span, they have won
six NCAA Tournament games and made the Elite Eight the last two
years.

Men’s Soccer (41-31-4)

The first class of Wolverine’s men soccer players went out
with a bang. Fighting their way to the College Cup Elite Eight.
Mike White and Kevin Taylor are among the seniors who have been
with the team since it’s beginning three years ago.

Softball (175-51-1*)

During the 2002 Women’s College World Series, Michigan dropped a
heart-breaking loss 1-0 to Nebraska. Senior Monica Schock and
5th-year senior Meghan Doe both started the contest in
Oklahoma.

Baseball (97-81*)

Three coaches have led the Wolverines through a rebuilding
process. The latest, Rich Maloney, has made giant leaps toward the
top of the Big Ten in his quest to return the program to its former
glory.

* — as of 4/19/2004

 

Other notable Wolverines

When you think of University of Michigan athletics, the football
team’s national title in 1997 or the championship in
men’s basketball in 1989 usually come to mind. As a result,
often times individual championships are overshadowed. Here is a
look at some of those who’ve captured national titles in the
past four years:

Elise Ray, Women’s Gymnastics:

An Olympian before she ever came to Ann Arbor, Ray has lived up
to the hype. As a freshman, Ray captured the NCAA All-Around Title
with a score of 39.625, the highest all-around score ever recorded
by a Michigan gymnast. Ray won Michigan’s first ever national
title on the balance with a score of 9.925 at the 2002 NCAA
Individual Finals. Ray sat out 2003 with an injury, but returned to
form in her senior year. She captured her third national title,
this time on the uneven bars with an almost-perfect score of
9.975.

Nate Brannen, Men’s Track:

In high school Brannen cracked the elusive four-minute mile with
a time of 3:59.85 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. As a Sophomore at
Michigan, Brannen won his first 800-meter Indoor Championship with
a time of 1:47.79 — an indoor-school record. Brannen was
awarded as the 2003 University of Michigan Male Athlete of the Year
for his achievement. Brannen repeated as 800-meter Indoor Champion
in 2004 with a time of 1:47.61 — a U-M indoor record. Brannen
is currently training for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens,
Greece.

Peter Vanderkaay, Men’s Swimming:

Just a sophomore, Vanderkaay won the 1,500-meter championship
with a time of 14:44.53 at the NCAA Championships this past March.
Vanderkaay also won a national title as a part of Michigan’s
800-meter freestyle relay team.

Ryan Bertin, Wrestling:

As a redshirt sophomore, the 157-pounder stormed through his
weight class en route to the NCAA Championship. He battle through
injuries all season long, and was finally pain-free and ready for
one last run. Bertin is now a three-time All-American.