Sources of inspiration will be easy to find when the No. 10
Michigan men’s swimming and diving team takes on Michigan
State this Friday at Canham Natatorium. The meet will conclude
Michigan’s 2003-04 dual meet schedule.
- Candace Mui
- Diver Jason Coben won the 2002-03 NCAA Championship.(TONY DING/Daily).
Friday will be a time to celebrate the accomplishments and
contributions of captain Dan Ketchum, 2002-03 NCAA Champion
platform diver Jason Coben and the rest of the senior class. The
outcome will count towards the Pontiac Challenge Cup, a year-long,
all-sport battle between the Wolverines and Spartans. But, despite
these many incentives, everybody seems to be thinking one
thing.
This one is for Jon.
With a victory, departing head coach Jon Urbanchek, who has put
together a Big Ten dual meet record of 99-4 in his 22 seasons as
the head man at Michigan, would hit the century mark in wins. But a
victory against Michigan State — to whom Urbanchek has never
lost — is no more than a formality.
It would be foolish to believe that anything other than
Urbanchek’s win could push this team harder.
“The 100th win is just a huge deal,” sophomore Davis
Tarwater said. “The whole team’s focus is just getting
that win for Jon. It’s going to be a bittersweet day for us,
getting the win, but also watching him go.”
The milestone victory would allow second-year diving coach Chris
Bergere to feel some sense of closure.
“The coaches certainly are focused on (the 100th
win),” Bergere said. “We just want to go out strong
with Jon Urbanchek. He’s been a great inspiration for our
team. So as a whole, both swimming and diving, we just want to do
Jon proud and do him justice, and really have a good time with
celebrating his 100th win.”
While conveying his typical humility, Urbanchek nonetheless
realizes the momentous occasion at hand.
“I never kept track of it,” Urbanchek said.
“It didn’t really matter. But I suppose 100 is a good
number. But with only four losses, I’m more proud of the
percentage than the number.”
The departing seniors will not be forgotten in all the talk of
their coach’s feat. Friday will be the last chance for
Ketchum, Coben, Dusty Garwood, Josh Hack, Mike Porth and Tim Wera
to showcase their skills on the Canham pool deck.
“The leadership this year has been tremendous,”
Tarwater said. “(Ketchum) is a captain and a leader in and
out of the pool. He’s a great motivator. He’s a great
friend to all of us. And that goes for the other guys too.
They’re going to be sorely missed next year.”
Urbanchek beams with pride when speaking of his team’s
captain.
“Ketchum was just a wholesome leader,” Urbanchek
said. “He’s one of the most conscientious kids
we’ve had in a long time. I think Dan raised the bar for
captainship this year.”
Ketchum attributes his growth as a swimmer and as a person
during his time in Ann Arbor to his “father away from
home.”
“(My) biggest change as a person has been made through
Jon,” Ketchum said. “Seeing him leave is going to be a
really big deal to me.”
The captain acknowledges that he will greatly miss the cozy
confines of his home pool.
“I’ve been thinking about (my last home meet) a
lot,” Ketchum said. “I’m never going to race in
here again. I love this pool. I think it’s the greatest pool
in the world. I don’t get emotional very often, but
we’ll see.”
The spectators at Canham on Friday evening will witness the
departure of a special class of swimmers.
But just remember one thing: This one (hundred) is for Jon.