Powell Emotional After Win: 'I Skied It for Riley'
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N C A A T R A V E R S E C I T Y R E C O R D - E A G L E S E C T I O N C BASKETBALL TODAY’S SPORTS INSIDE: HIGHLIGHTS Eight SF NAHL wrestlers move Janesville on to regionals at TC North Stars, 1 SPORTS Page 2C Sunday, February 13, 2011 SPORTS NEWS EDITOR (231) 933-1494 VASA The Associated Press ROLE REVERSAL Tim Hardaway puts up a shot over Indiana’s Victor Oladipo. Koch pulls away early to beat training partner, nemesis in 50K BY DENNIS CHASE came close to relinquishing Michigan [email protected] the lead in winning the 35th TRAVERSE CITY — Jeff annual event. Koch didn’t want it to come “Even though I was alone, bolstering down to a sprint. I knew I had to keep the Not with his friend and pressure on to the Rock, training partner Milan Baic then nail it again through in the race. Jack Pine Valley,” Koch tourney said. “I knew if I did that I “I knew from finishing with Milan the last couple could keep the lead.” races that I couldn’t go to As he neared the finish chances the line with him,” Koch line, Koch raised his arms said. “I had to settle it out in triumph. Hardaway scores on the course somewhere.” “I’ve wanted this one for Koch did just that Sat- awhile,” he said. “I’ve been 26 as U-M tops urday, pulling away early third here a couple times. I to win the Vasa men’s 50K was almost in tears coming Indiana, 73-69 freestyle cross country ski through this last part.” race in 2 hours, 26 minutes Baic said Koch’s win was ANN ARBOR (AP) — Michi- and 12 seconds — more than “not unexpected.” gan might be playing its way four minutes ahead of Baic, “I’ve been saying all along into the NCAA tournament. who placed second. that it’s just a matter of time Tim Hardaway Jr. scored a Three weeks ago, Baic before he takes me,” he career-high 26 points and the edged Koch at the finish said. Wolverines held off Indiana line to win the Cote Dame Still, the manner in which 73-69 on Saturday. Marie Ski Loppet 30K at it occurred, surprised Baic. Michigan (16-10, 6-7 Big Ten) Grayling’s Hanson Hills, “When he went (out) it won its third straight and 1:30:03.9 to 1:30.06.4. was early in the race,” Baic fifth of six games, surpassing Then last week the drama said. “I thought he might let the number of victories it had played out again. The two up a little because he was last season and bolstering its were in another sprint to going pretty hard in a hilly chances to be in the NCAA’s the finish in the White Pine section. Then it (snow) got field of 68 next month. Stampede 40K when Koch quite soft on the back part “We’re working hard to tripped about five yards and it became a struggle build a resume,” said Zack from the finish line. for everybody, but he kept Novak. “I think what we’ve So, for the Vasa, the the pressure on and didn’t done the past couple of 39-year-old Koch decided look back. I’m sure it was a weeks has put us back in the to try a different strategy. tough race for him, but well discussion.” He separated from the pack earned. The Wolverines were al- 15K into the race. “It was certainly an inter- most forced to talk about how “I was tired of finishing esting tactic and it worked they had blown a huge lead second,” he said. “I waited out well for him today.” late. until there was a real long Koch admitted there were Michigan led 66-44 with 5:26 section of hills right before times when he was feeling left, and then Indiana went the Wall. I thought, ‘This is the pain. on a 17-2 run. it. Either I blow up or I win. “But I knew if I was suf- Christian Watford, play- One of the two.’” fering, he (Baic) was suffer- ing for the first time since Turned out, it was the lat- ing,” Koch said. “I figured breaking his left hand, pulled ter. if I could bury it, and bury Indiana within 70-67 with 27 Record-Eagle/Keith King After his initial surge, the it early, then maybe I could seconds left. Jeff Koch raises his arms in triumph as he crosses the finish line in the Vasa 50K. Elk Rapids resident never stay away.” Michigan made 19 free throws, barely more than half of the 37 it attempted, but Darius Morris sealed the Powell emotional after win: ‘I skied it for Riley’ victory by making two at the line with 8 seconds left and nordic skier and a great doesn’t get skied on. But I’m finishing 15 points. Lake Ann skier friend. He had a passion for lightweight so I probably “It is a good win for us, no skiing and he shared that did better than some. It was matter how it turned out remembers friend with the kids. I had a chance all good, though. All good.” in the last 4 or 5 minutes,” BY DENNIS CHASE to coach with him for four Two years ago, Powell was coach John Beilein said. [email protected] years. He passed away very sick, opted for the 27K, and Stu Douglass scored 13 and young. won that. But the 42-year-old Novak added 10 against their TRAVERSE CITY — Amy “The (outer) 50K loop is prefers the longer distances. home-state Hoosiers. Powell crossed the finish named after him now. I “You can get into a rhythm Indiana (12-14, 3-10) has lost line and then needed a few thought of him the whole and kind of zone out,” she three straight and 12 of its moments to gather her com- time, even when I took a dig- said. last 15. posure. ger, a face plant.” Powell’s racing weekend “You can’t get it done until “Emotional,” she said. Powell, who won the White is not over. She’ll compete you’re combative,” coach Powell won the Vasa Stampede 20K last weekend, today in the Gran Travers Tom Crean said. women’s 50K freestyle in was second in the 50K a year 16K classic event at Timber Crean, though, could not 2 hours, 50 minutes and 41 ago. Ridge. question Watford’s aggres- seconds. “This one went a lot bet- “I’m going for those skis,” Record-Eagle/ sive return to the court less Keith King But the Lake Ann skier ter,” she said. “I felt more she said. than two weeks after having had someone else in her mentally prepared — and The Vasa hands out a Amy Powell surgery on his non-shooting thoughts as she crossed the this weather helped.” Grand Champion award cruises to hand. finish line. About the only problem to the skier with the best the finish line “He really wanted to come “I skied it for Riley,” she Powell encountered was on combined time from the 50K after winning back,” Crean said. “He was said of Riley Messer, who “Riley’s loop.” freestyle and 16K classic. the women’s tired early, then he played passed away last fall at the “Wicked nasty,” she said. The prize: A new pair of rac- 50K freestyle through it late and that was a age of 55. “He was an avid “It was pretty soft because it ing skis. in 2:50:41. positive.” Watford scored 14 points — just three short of his team-leading average — in Triumphant return for Edwards 22 minutes with two screws holding a plate on the top of where she skied competi- pressure on me. He said, his left hand. She captures tively. ‘Get back out there.’” “It really didn’t feel uncom- “Once I finished up at So three weeks ago she did fortable at all,” he said. “I women’s 27K Middlebury (in 2009) I said her first long ski — and then was glad I could get back out BY DENNIS CHASE I was done racing,” she won the White Pine Stam- and play.” [email protected] said. “I wanted to focus on pede 40K last weekend. Victor Oladipo scored 13, TRAVERSE CITY — Cassi- instructing and coaching.” Edwards said it took her Verdell Jones III had 12 and dy Edwards thought her So last year she worked awhile to get up to speed Jordan Hulls added 10 for the in Colorado, running three Saturday. racing days were over. Hoosiers. different youth nordic pro- “The last half I felt pretty Then she moved back to None of them could stop grams. good,” she said. “I’m not Record-Eagle/ northern Michigan. the son of former NBA player Keith King “I kept skiing, but not on a used to these distance races On Saturday, the 24-year- Tim Hardaway. Cassidy training schedule,” she said. yet. This is my second lon- old Edwards, a former Glen The freshman guard made Edwards Then, she moved back gest race. I’m used to skiing 9 of 11 shots, including four Lake star runner and skier, to northern Michigan and 15K. stays won the Vasa women’s 27K 3-pointers, and four free focused started instructing for Brick “But,” she added, “it’s fun throws.