The Billings Gazette from Billings, Montana • 19

The Billings Gazette SPORTS Sunday, July 25, 1993 5B Cental graduate won't forget summer '93 Lucerne Regatta in Switzerland, the major warm-up for the world championships. Only a powerful German national team, against which the Americans have placed second twice this year in the quad event, stands in the way of a world championship. Down the road, Tranel-Michini hopes to compete in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, and settle down somewhere in the Billings area. But for now, she's focused on striking gold in Prague, and a fitting end to a summer to remember. raised in the decidedly landlocked town of Broadview get to the highest level of rowing competition? By accident.

After signing on to play basketball for Gonzaga University, a knee injury ended her chances to play. "It felt so weird to be out of basketball," she says. "I figured that I'd better do something, so I tried rowing and fell in love with it" She kept rowing as a graduate law student at Rutgers University in New Jersey, this time to get away from big city life. "To be fair, I have to say that there are a lot of good things about living in the East, but I'm really looking forward to moving back to Montana," she says. At 6-feet, 160 pounds, Tranel-Michini gained the attention of coaches in a sport where height and strength are crucial.

The rest, as they say, is history. She has since gone on to win the 1992 U.S. National Senior Single rowing championship and finished fifth at the 1992 Olympic doubles trials. Tranel-Michini picked up a silver medal earlier this year in the Jour-person (quad) event at the July has found Tranel-Michini training in Philadelphia and most recently with the rest of the American rowing team at the national training center in Occoquan, for the biggest competition in her athletic career the world championships. "The difference between collegiate rowing and this level is like the difference between collegiate and pro basketball," she said of the world championships, to be held in Prague, Czech Republic, September 1-5.

So how does one born and By DAVID LARIMER Of the Gazette Staff As summers go, 1993 is definitely shaping up to be a memorable one for Monica Tranel-Michini. On May 1, she got married. Later that same month, she passed the Pennsylvania state bar exam. And, oh yeah, she was selected as a member of the United States rowing team for the first time. And in June came the announcement that she had received the presitgious Sudafed Travel and Training Grant, given to world-class American athletes in order to further their training.

This puts the 1984 graduate of Billings Central in pretty select company. Past recipients of the $1,500 grant include 1990 world figure skating champion Jill Trenary and Kristi YamaguchL the 1991 and '92 world champion and women's figure skating gold medalist in the 1992 Winter Olympics. To paraphrase the army, Tranel-Michini's done more in the first two months of summer than most people do all year. ecord Indurain nearing 3rd straight title at heyenne jia's teammate, was in eighth, 20:14 back, giving the American-based Motorola team two spots in the top 10. Rominger, been plagued by bad luck throughout the Tour, had a flat tire in the last two miles on Saturday.

The Swiss cyclist was rated a strong challenger to Indurain heading into the Tour after winning his second Tour of Spain and spending a month in high-altitude training in Colorado. However, he lost time during the team time trial and was penalized a minute more for pushing his teammates. He had to ride early in the first time trial and wound up in a hail storm and had another flat tire. He was 2:42 behind Indurain there. Rominger came back to win two stages in the Alps and tried to pull away from Indurain in the mountains, but he was not able to beat the Spanish rider until Saturday.

"If it wasn't for that lost time, I might have been equal to Indurain," Rominger said. "The race would have been changed." Indurain had not lost a time trial since the 1990 Tour de France when he was fourth behind Eric Breukink at Lac de Vassiviere. That was where Greg LeMond overtook Claudio Chiappucci to vault into first and win his third Tour de France. Since then, Indurain has ruled. in Tour de France: One stage left in prestigious race MONTLHERY, France (AP) Miguel Indurain of Spain, even after losing a time trial Saturday, headed into Paris all but assured of winning his third consecutive Tour de France on Sunday.

Tony Rominger of Switzerland upset Indurain in the individual time trial. Rominger's time of 57 minutes and 2 seconds in the 30-mile 19th stage was 42 seconds better than Indurain, who lost his first major time trial in three years. The performance moved Rominger into second place, but he still was 4 minutes and 59 seconds behind Indurain as the race headed toward its conclusion with a relaxed stage of 122 miles. Attacks are rare on the last day since riders feel the Tour is over with the time trial. Zenon Jaskula of Poland was third in the time trial and third in the overall standings.

He was 5:46 behind Indurain. Alvaro Mejia of Colombia dropped from second to fourth, 7:29 behind, losing more than three minutes to the leaders. American Andy Hampsten, Me- Azinger SUTTON, Mass. (AP) The cream rose to the top in the New England Classic Saturday as Paul Azinger, the top-ranked player in the tournament, fired a 64 to take a one-shot lead after 54 holes. Azinger had eight birdies and one bogey over the Pleasant Valley Country Club course and was one of those rare players who could shoot a 7-under round and say, "I didn't hit it real good today." His three-round total of 13-under 200 was one stroke off the tournament record.

One stroke back was Azinger's close friend, Bobby Clampett, who broke a streak of 20 straight pars with a birdie on the third hole and came in with a 4-under 67. David Peoples played himself into a four-way tie at 10-under with a near flawless 62, tying the course record set in 1989 by Nick Price. "When I birdied 11 to go 8-under rises to New England lead Miguel Indurain pedals his way to 19th stage Saturday in the Tour de New England Classic, Bob Estes and third-round leader Willie Wood. Wood needed an eagle on the 18th for a 1-under 70, just good enough to stay in contention. "I putted OK today but the first two days I putted great," Wood said.

Fleischer had a 66 and Estes a 68. Alone at 204 was Steve Lowery, who shot a 69, with Curtis Strange, Jay Delsing, Joey Sindelar and Brad Bryant at 205. Strange and Delsing shot 65s, Sindelar and Bryants 70s. Conditions were ripe for scoring as the winds of Thursday and Friday died down and speedy but soft greens held approach shots in place. Clampett, more familiar as a TV golf commentator, was enjoying the view from near the top of the leader-board and trying not to wonder what he was doing there.

"I can count on one hand the number of times I've played in the last group on Sunday," Clampett said. crowi They asked me if I was scared of getting on him and messing up. I said, 'Hell, I was too broke to be Jim Blain Kenney on Bobby Joe Skoal Ken Lensegrav scored 77 points on his bareback ride to finish in the top four in the first day of competition. Lensegrav, from Rapid City, S.D., is trying to lift himself back into the top 15 of the world standings. He has qualified for the National Finals Rodeo that past five consecutive years and was in the top 15 for the earlier part of 1993.

Volborg's Ed Lockwood is fifth in the saddle bronc competition, putting up a score of 74 points Saturday. CHEYENN. Wyo. Hne ore lt ttandngi af lt first day of competition at the Cheyeme Fronhat Days Rodeo an Satur-day. MBding 1.

Jim Sharp, Staphwtvilla, Taxes, 77; 2. fFw) Brian Herman, Victoria, Texas, and Tuff Hedeman, Bowie, Tex ex, 73; 4. Don Wolfe, Laramie, 72, 5. (Tie) Coy Allen, Oarksville, Texca, J.W. Oohchleger, Rosenberg, Texas, and Mark Cain, Atoka, Soddle Bronc 1 Jim Kenney, Salt Rat, Texas, B0; 2.

(Tie) Skeeter Thurston, Hyamit, and Rod Hay, Alberta, Canada, 77; 4. Duone Danes, Alberta, Canada, 75; 5. Ed Lockwood, Volborg, 74. Rookie Bronc 1. Johnny Konzak, Belgrade, 64; 2.

Charlie Gardner, Ruby Volley, 63; 3. Jeff Gabriel, Cottonwood, SO, 62; 4. Brian Billings, Oakley, Utah, 61; 5. Cody Jensen, Elmo, Utah, 59, Bareback 1. (Tie) Rocky Steogofl, Clovis, and Denny McOanahon, Canadian, Texas, 79; 3.

Chuck Logue, Decatur, Texas, 78; 4. Ken Lensegrav, Rapid City, 77, Vern Mrikn, Rapid City, S.D 74. Corf Roang 1. Jeff Oestmann, Watson, 13.8 seconds; 2. Jim Bob Mayes, Manner, Texas, 16.2 seconds; 3.

K.C Jones, Pueblo, 18.4 seconds; 4. Bruce Todcett, Blirffdale, Texas, 18.8 seconds; S. Dale Christenson, Pawhuska, Okia, 1 9.6 seconds. Steer Wrestling 1 Shannon Blixt, Helena, 8.5 seconds; 2. Bruce Segelke, Snyder, Colo.

9.3 seconds; 3. Mark Waltz, Coofidge, 1 1 .5 seconds; 4. Ron Ary, wichita, 1 1 .9 seconds; 5. Darin Good, Longvoliey, S.D., 12.1 seconds. Steer Roping First-go 1.

Roy Cooper, Childress, Texas, 14 seconds; 2. DeLynn Jones, Hobbs, N.M., 14.8 seconds; 3. Vance Vest, Monohons, Texas, 14.9 seconds; 4. Jimmy Brazile, Decatur, Texas, 1S.3 seconds; 5. Vance McNeil, Pawhuska, Okla, 1 5.3 seconds.

Second Leaders 1. CA. Lover, Buffalo, Okla, 16.1 seconds; 2. Dan fisher, Andrews, Texas, 16 3 seconds; 3. Hodley Reed, Spearman, Texas, 17.3 4.

Gary Armrtoge, Port Atee, N.M., 17.8 seconds; S. Corky Irion, Phoenix, 18.5 seconds. Overall Average 1. Tom Htfg, Cheyenne, 36.9 seconds; 2. Gory Artni-tage.

Port Akce, N.M., 37 seconds; 3. Johnny Powell, El Dorado, Texas, 44.4 seconds; 4. Phil Longacre, 44.7 seconds; 5. (Tie) Randy Bomor, Midland, Texas, and Jeff Lovetoce, Larkspur, 48.8 seconds. I'LL BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW BROUGHT TO YOU BY DICK RYAN Here's an oddity.

baseball and college football by coincidence BOTH started in EXACTLY the same first pro baseball team The Cincinnati Reds started playing in 1869 and, oddly, the first college football game in history, Princeton vs. Rutgers, was also played in 1869. See if you can answer this sports question. a team sport where the rules REQUIRE one player to wear a different color uniform than the rest of his teammates. sport is rules in soccer say the goalkeeper MUST wear different colors than the rest of his team.

What's the highest fly ball any baseball player ever world record is held by 2 former Cleveland Indian catchers, Frankie Pytlak and Henry Helf, who caught balls dropped from the 708-feet- high Terminal tower in Cleveland in balls were traveling about 140 miles per hour when Pytlak and Helf caught them! 4 7 bet you didn 'tknow Call the Ryan Oldsmoblle Suzuki Time Temperature Weatherllne 256-9999 RYAN OLDS SUZUKI 324 24th SL West Billings OPEN TODAY 12-5 656-6200 rv-' 13 "vj Associated ftess a second-place finish in the France. Associated Press Poor putting dropped Willie Woods out of the lead at the New England Classic. the Players Championship. "I decided I was going to chip and putt like I swing, just a miniature golf swing." Trevino, the Senior Tour's all-time leading money winner, stayed close despite failing again to birdie a par-5 hole on the layout. "I didn't make anything long today," Trevino said.

"I didn't roll it as well today. I played solid. I drove well and that is what you have to do on this course. I'm satisfied with the way I'm hitting it" ROCHES Sunday, 725 vs. St.

Louis Tuesday, 727 vs. Atlanta Wednesday, 728 vs. Atlanta Friday, 730 vs. San Francisco Saturday, 731 vs. San Francisco i 14 I Jump start: Cowboys don't disappoint the 17,000 fans CHEYENNE, Wyo.

(AP) A record 17,008 people piled into the stands Saturday to watch first-day action at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo. And Jim Blain Kenney, who had the draw of the day in Bobby Joe Skoal, the saddle bronc of the year, didn't disappoint the crowd, which broke the old record of 16,857 set in 1981. The 80-point ride by the Salt Flat, Texas, cowboy placed him atop the leader board at the 97th "Daddy of 'Em All" and likely assured him of a good payoff. "They asked me if I was scared of getting on him and messing up," Kenney said. "I said, 'Hell, I was too broke to be Kenney's performance was among the few highlights of a windy opening day for the nine-day rodeo.

Lack of cooperation from the weather and livestock was especially noticeable in the steer and calf roping events, where many cowboys failed to rope their animals under the time limit. Jeff Oestmann of Watson, was an exception. His time of 13.5 seconds easily earned him first place in calf roping. "I probably had one of the best calves today," he said. "It's just a good solid run." In the bareback bronc riding, Denny McLanahan of Canadian, Texas, was first out of the chutes and tied for first place at the end of the day.

"I was glad to be the first gunner. It kind of relaxes you to get it over with," he said after earning a 79, which tied him with Rocky Steagal of Clovis, Calif. Former World Champion bull rider Jim Sharp of Stephenville, Texas, got the spinning bull he needed to pull ahead in the event with a score of 77. Toe. first day, however, belonged more to the bulls than riders.

Few riders scored in the 70s, and more fell to the dirt before their eight-second ride was up. Former World Champion Tuff Hedeman of Bowie, Texas, acknowledged that fact when he said his score of 73 might still place him in the money at the world's largest outdoor rodeo. "I feel good about coming back Thursday for my second one," he said. "It's always good to be in Cheyenne." In other events: Helena's Shannon Blixt became the early leader in the steer wrestling with a time of 8.5 seconds in Cheyenne's long arena. Johnny Konzak of Belgrade scored 64 points to lead the rookie bronc riding.

Former Montana State standout Sunday, 725 Miles City Royals Monday, 726 Laurel Royals Thursday, 729 Royals Butte Saturday, 731 Royals Bozeman Colbert finds himself at 'home' in Michigan I started thinking, 'You can't shoot 59, there's no Peoples said. Turned out he was right as he missed birdie putts of inside seven feet on the last two holes. Peoples had nine approach shots inside 10 feet and made seven of the putts for birdie. His other two birdies came on a two-putt after reaching the par-5 fourth hole in two, and a 14-footer on the long 11th hole. Peoples lives in Florida, like so many PGA Tour players, but had a contingent of in-laws from Somer-ville, in the gallery wearing "Peoples' People" T-shirts.

With the hole looking like a peach basket and his swing working effortlessly, Peoples said he stayed calm through most of the round. When he missed the short putt on 17 and one spectator uttered a loud groan, Peoples turned to the gallery and said, "It's only a game." Tied with Peoples at 203 were Bruce Fleisher, winner of the 1991 with 18 holes to play at The Highlands. Trevino also had a 67, and Murphy shot 68. "If I can push the peanut over the hill (Sunday), maybe I should move here," said Colbert, who is third on the Senior Tour money list with more than $560,000 this year. "They've got to beat me by two now." The winner's check is $82,500 from a total purse of $550,000.

Butch Baird, who tied the course record with a 63 in taking the first- ery section of the state. "The attraction seems to be intensified this year largely due to the Flathead area setting and the format for the tournament" The women will play three 9-hole rounds at Village Greens Golf Club, a new course in the Kalispell area. The men will play one 18-hole round at each of the other three courses. Golfers begin registering on Sunday, Aug. 1.

There will be practice rounds on Monday and competitive rounds begin Tuesday. The men also compete in age groups. The Freshmen are 55-62, Sophomores 63-69, Juniors 70-77 and Seniors 78 and older. Frankino said that despite the additional courses available this year, some entries had to be returned. There are about 140 women GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.

(AP) -If Jim Colbert's success in Michigan keeps up, he says he might consider moving here. Colbert, who won the Ford Senior Players Championship four weeks ago at the TPC of Michigan, shot a 4-under-par 67 Saturday to take a two-stroke lead after two rounds of the Senior PGA Tour's First of America Classic. Colbert opened a two-stroke lead over Lee Trevino and Bob Murphy site of senior tourneys round lead, shot 72 to drop three strokes back. Ken Still also trails by three after a second-round 66, and Chi Chi Rodriguez, George Archer and Jesse Vaughn were tied for sixth, four strokes off the lead. A chip-in from 20 feet on the third hole provided the first of six birdies for Colbert, and birdies at Nos.

16 and 18 gave him the lead. "I changed my whole chipping style," said Colbert, who chipped in three times on his way to victory in Penaluna and Helen McNeel of Great Falls are past champions. Other top contenders ihclude Sue McCall of Ennis; and Joan Ashley, June Easton arid Ruth Reed, all of Helena. Several Billings golfers should challenge Cook in the men's division. Playing well are Les Barnes, Robert Meek and Hank Little.

Gene Fehlig of Helena and Little have senior titles to their credit Cook had rounds of 73-71-71 for a 215 winning total last year. John Barnett of Missoula was second with 228. Flathead area golfers who should not be overlooked are Tom Vorhees of Bigfork and Bill Redmond, Don Ryan and Pat Casey of Kalispell The 1994 tournament will be Aug. 1-4 in Butte. The year after that.

Green Meadow Country Club in Helena will be the host course. Sue Little of Billings will be defending her Montana State Senior women's golf championship when the 37th annual tournament begins Tuesday, Aug. 3, in the Kalispell area. Little won her title last year at Hilands Golf Club in Billings. Little won by one stroke over Sheila Penal-una of Butte.

Billie Jean Bloxham of Great Falls was three strokes back. Defending men's champion is Gene Cook of Great Falls. Cook will be after his fourth senior title. Cook also won in 1989 in Bo-zeman and 1990 on his home course in Great Falls. Nearly 550 golfers will participate in the four days of activities at Buffalo Hills and Village Greens in Kalilspell, Meadow Lake in Columbia Falls and Eagle Bend in Bigfork.

Executive secretary John Fran-kino said this tournament, which is open to men 55 years and older, always has attracted golfers from ev am 1240 flOCK.