Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • Page 53

-h A A-A DETROIT FREE PRESSTHURSDAY. AUG. 9. 1984 7DA gjonnoH I I Gymnast Berube Today's schedule of events: (All times are Detroit times. Subtract three hours for Los Angeles time.

An indicates that medals will be awarded today.) Archery: Men's and women's 50-meter 1 p.m.-4 p.m.; men's and women's 30 5:30 p.m.-8:1 5 p.m. Basketball: France vs. Egypt, 1 p.m.; Brazil vs. China, 3 p.m.; Yugoslavia vs. loser of U.S.-Canada (bronze), 10 p.m.

Boxing: Semifinal bouts 2 p.m.-5 p.m; 9 p.m.-midnight. Canoeing: Men's 1 ,000 semifinals -1 0:30 a.m.-1 :30 p.m.; Women's 500 semifinals 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Diving: Women's platform preliminaries 10 a.m.-noon, finally onstage p.m. Equestrian: Team By CHARLIE VINCENT Free Press Sports Writer LOS ANGELES This is the day Michelle Berube has been awaiting for five years. And the last two weeks have been dressage 5 p.m.-9 Fencing: Men's sabre team prelims 3 p.m.-9 p.m.; men's sabre team finals 11p.m.-2a.m.

Gymnastics: Women's rhythmic prelims 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Handball: Women's round robin Aus-tria vs. United States, 9:30 p.m.; South Korea vs. Profile: Michelle Berube Berube started competing in rhythmic gymnastics at age 12 a past U.S. national champion, National Sports Festival champion and repeat U.S.

national team member 34th-place finish at the 1983 world championships in her first try tied her with 1984 Olympic teammate Valerie Zimring of Los Angeles for the best-ever showing by an American may pursue modeling career after Olympics 5-3, 110 pounds. III IVatch for: Mark Breland (left) and Steve McCrory, Kronk boxers in semifinal bouts today. West Germany, 11 jiffi i if i 4 P2 p.m.; Yugoslavia vs. China, 12:30 a.m. Field Hockey: Men's semifinals, India vs.

New Zealand, 11 a.m.; Netherlands vs. Spain, 12:45 p.m.; Australia vs. Pakistan, 6 p.m.; Great Britain vs. West Germany, 7:45 p.m.; women's round robin West Germany vs. United States, 4:15 p.m.

Judo: Half heavyweight 7 p.m.-11 p.m. Synchronized Swimming: Duet finals 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Tennis: Quarterfinals, eight matches p.m. Track and Field: Decathlon (110 hurdles) 12:30 p.m.; decathlon (discus) 1:15 p.m.; women's 100 hurdles 1:40 p.m.; women's high jump qualifying 2:20 p.m.; decathlon (pole vault) 3 p.m.; women's 200 semifinal 7 p.m.; men's 1,500 (first round) 7:15 p.m.; women's 1,500 semifinal 8:25 p.m.; women's 200 final 8:55 p.m.; women's long jump final 9 p.m.; men's 5,000 semifinals 9:15 p.m.; Decathlon (1,500) 9:55 p.m. Water Polo: (seventh through 12th), China vs.

Brazil, 1 p.m.; Canada vs. Japan, 6 p.m.; Greece vs. Italy, Championship round, U.S. vs. West Germany, 11:30 a.m.; Netherlands vs.

Australia, 4:30 p.m.; 1 1 -i the longest. While other Olympians have come, competed and gone home, she has had little to do but train and watch the Games on television. "We've seen all the other athletes come into the dorms with their medals and everything, all excited that it's over with," said Berube, an 18-year-old rhythmic gymnast from Rochester. "Now we're excited that we're going to compete finally." Rhythmic gymnastics preliminaries begin today. Berube and 19-year-old Valerie Zimring of Los Angeles are the U.S.

entrants in the new Olympic event, a sport dominated by the Soviet-bloc countries that have boycotted the XXIII Olympiad. "Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Russia, East Germany, those are the countries that usually do well in rhythmic gymnastics," Berube said Wednesday at the Olympic Village on the University of Southern California campus. "If a miracle happens and we did incredibly well, we have a chance to come close, or maybe win a medal," she said. "But I don't want to hope for something that probably won't come true." Her goal, though, is not modest. "I want to compete well and win the hearts of the audience," she said.

"I was talking to Cathy Rigby, and she said everybody reacted to Olga (Kor-but) because she had so many smiles and so much to give. That's what they remember and that's what I want to do. "You have to be dynamic to catch people's eyes. You have to have originality and expression. It's a very emotional sport." THE SPORT is close to the floor 4 wit vVft I 1 1 exercise part of standard gymnastics, but competitors use four objects ball, hoops, club, rhythm.

It's scored subjectively by judges. Winning the hearts of the people will probably be easier than winning the votes of the judges, Berube knows. "Twenty go to the finals and we're better than that, so I think we'll make the finals," she said. "But all the judges have their own opinions and want a certain girl to win and have political ties. You just try to have no mistakes because then they can't get you.

"If you go out there and drop your stuff all over the place, the first impression is down the tubes. I've seen people do that and you feel bad for them, but you don't know what to do. You just think: 'Oh, please get off the I'm so embarrassed for them." To Berube who will return next month to Rochester Adams High School after a year's absence all the competitors who make it to Los Angeles are winners. "Being in the Olympics is an honor," she said. "All the people trained so hard to be here.

But on television they're only showing people who won. Yugoslavia vs. Spain, midnight. Wrestling: Freestyle prelims, 52, 57, 68, 74, 82, 100, over 100 kg 3 p.m.-6 p.m.; 9 p.m.-11:30 p.m.; semifinals, 48, 62, 90 kg 3 p.m. -6 p.m.; finals, 48, 62, 90 kg 9 p.m.-11:30 p.m.

Today's TV broadcast schedule: ABC, Channel 7 in Detroit 1 1 a.m.-1 p.m., 3 p.m.-5:30 p.m., 7 p.m.- midnight, 12:30 a.m.-2 a.m. CBC, Channel 9, Windsor noon-6 p.m., 7 p.m.-1 1 p.m., midnight-2 am ESPN p.m. Preview Event of events Free Press Photo by BRIAN BRANCH-PRICE After a long wait, Michelle Berube is ready to make her charge for the rhythmic gymnastics gold. They almost make it sound like a silver Berube won't have much time for medal is nothing. I mean, what are television, they doing? It's awful." Her time in the spotlight has finally For the next few days Michelle come.

Michigan archer aims for perfection The gold medal event of the Olympic gold medal events is settled at 9:55 p.m. today when the of the men's decathlon begins. This final race of this grueling competition has provided some of the Games' most poignant moments, and this year's should add another as the finale for the intriguing match between Great Britain's Daley Thompson and West Germany's Jurgen Hlngsen. The Coliseum will also be the backdrop for the finals in the women's 200 (8:55 p.m.) and long jump (9 p.m.), where Carol Lewis is expected to leap a few more times than her more famous brother. the old pro By MARK KRAM Free Press Sports Writer LOS ANGELES Athletically, Glenn Meyers is exceptional indeed, though not in ways physically discernible.

He is not especially strong or blessed with extraordinary speed or endurance, in or out of water. In fact, were you to toss Glenn Meyers into the water, you might have to call a Coast Guard rescue team to help him out. "Ask people to name the first athlete that comes to mind and I can guarantee that it will be a runner, swimmer or gymnast," said Meyers. "Archery is ignored, but it is a sport and we are athletes. To do well in archery requires strength, endurance and inner control, especially inner control.

To excel in it requires the highest degree of each." Meyers excels. Hailing from Fremont, he is a member of the U.S. Olympic archery team, one of inst three men and three women selected. Of the 109 TO PREPARE for the Olympics, Meyers tried to practice at a range six days week. At a Fremont physical rehabilitation center where he worked, he sometimes used the facilities to exercise and train with light weights.

He focused his preparations on the pyschological aspects of archery. He would sit in a chair, close his eyes and try to visualize sending an one arrow after another to the center on the target. "Archery is the pursuit of perfection," said Meyers. "I guess, in a way, I enjoy archery because of that possibility. I can stand at the line and the opportunity is there for perfection." When the Olympics end, Meyers, a business major, expects to continue his education and will probably enroll in the University of Kentucky in January.

He left Arizona State last sring but still has a year and half to earn his degree. Meyers said he will resist the temptation to become a professional archer. "I did not get into this to make money from it," he said. "I got into it because I love archery. I have been shooting for 10 years and I plan to shoot 50 more.

This is one sport you play forever." conflicts he perfers not discuss, his concentration suffered and his enthusiasm for archery dwindled. "Once your concentration goes, your confidence soon follows," said Meyers. "I was not executing properly and I knew. I tried to correct what I doing but I only got more confused. I wondered last year if I would ever come out of it." He did.

With the Olympics in sight, he welcomed 1984 with a sigh of relief and in February went to the Olympic training center in Colorado Springs. He spent three weeks there and was thoroughly rejuvenated by the end of his stay. He sharpened his eye and set goals. Though no one expected Meyers to qualify for the Olympic team, he did. "I thought I could do it," said Meyers.

"I got my enthusiasm back in Colorado Springs and have been shooting well this year. I just had concentrate on technique and not allow myself to become distracted." Said his mother, Hazel: "We knew Glenn had it in him. He had the ability but he just had to get his head screwed on straight. We tried to help but you just have to get over growing pains yourself." He is to the Olympics what Walter Cronkite was to political conventions and elections. Like Uncle Walter, he is the familiar face to trust every four years, the wise old anchorman thrust to the forefront to report and interpret the important story.

Cronkite is retired now and some critics are beginning to suggest the same for Jim McKay, who turns 63 Lmen in the June trials, Meyers qualified third I 1 A fM. rni.1l DnnA nA Diol OeillllU euuuilllg wiyiiiyiaiia iancu rate auu imvh McKinney. Pace and McKinney finished the trials with scores of 2,567 and and Meyers closed out the final dav with 2.485 Eood for fourth place. State has a female archer, too sive turnaround from the limited success at Yugoslavia. During those long, cold winter nights, McKay worked until 5 in the morning.

At that hour, he wasn't effective trying to hype stale stories taped hours before. The difference this summer has been, literally and figuratively, like night and day. In LA, McKay appears live on the air from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. on the California clock.

"So much is live, I can react in an honest and immediate way," he said by phone from LA. "I feel terrific. My wife is here for moral support. I go back to my hotel, my wife orders room service, we have a drink and talk and go to bed. I've been getting enough sleep." How much control does McKay have over what gets on the air? "We have meetings.

Roone (Arledge), obviously, runs it. I have some input. He listens." Are there any events McKay would like to see more or less of? "Gymnastics was fantastic, but I think I'd had just about enough of it by Sunday night WEDNESDAY'S BEST U.S. gymnastics gold medalist Mary Lou Retton, sweet 16, appearing with Joan Rivers on the "Tonight Show." next month. Certainly he is four years older than at Lake Placid, eight years older than at Montreal, 12 years older than when he solidified his reputation while covering the tragedy at Munich.

I Joe Only six points shy of qualifying, he added his scorecard again and discovered a 10-point error. "I brought it to the attention of the officials and I clearly added wrong," Meyers said. 'I was fortunate to catch it before I signed my card. That would have been an embarrassing pill to swallow." MEYERS HAS BEEN PURSUING archery for 11 years. Introduced to the sport at 10, he joined a state Junior Olympic program and won an archery scholarship to Arizona State University.

He was selected to the U.S. National Team for 1982 and 1983 but had a series of inconsistent tournaments last year and did not qualify for the 1984 team. Distracted by personal Lapointe to give it a shot." King, 26, and her husband, Michael, own an archery shop in Grand Rapids. She entered her first tournament at 19 and was introduced to her husband. The Kings have no children and Trena has devoted herself fully to training, usually practicing at a local range or doing upper body exercises.

She has also tried to free herself of pressure and has consistently declined requests for formal interviews. "If I feel pressure, I do not shoot well," King said. "I have to feel relaxed. I have to feel in control." Mark Kram Michigan's second Olympic archer is Trena King of Grand Rapids, 26, who didn't start seriously in the sport until after high school. Placing third at the June trials behind Ruth Rowe and Benita Edds, King qualified with a 2,421 total score.

Fourth in both the 1982 and 1983 National Championships, she was a member of the 1982 National Team and has participated in four National Sports Festivals. "That was the reason I started shooting in the first place," King said of her Olympic berth. "I started training seriously in February. I knew I had Isn't McKay slowing down, they ask? Hasn't he said he wants to cut back? Isn't this McKay's last Olympics? "I don't have any idea until LA is over," said Gentleman Jim. "As far as age is concerned, I've never felt better.

I feel better than I did at Sarajevo, that's for sure. "I never will retire as long as I have my health. What I do for a living, a lot of people would like to do for a hobby after they retire. My present contract runs through 1985." This summer, McKay and ABC helped by successful American athletes have made an impres- CUdDO L3kM(pin) atHsfrss linage ffairei Steve Fraser of Ann Arbor won the gold in Greco-Roman wrestling Aug. 1.

Doug Herland of Ann Arbor "I got a car!" Retton said. "A-ha! Get this: A 1984 red Corvette fully loaded!" Rivers: "You're gonna get hit on by a lot of guys." Retton, smiling: "That's the point!" was the coxswain on the pairs with coxswain that won the bronze Sunday. Pam Elatinfl An even break Fremont, was in seventh place Wednesday after 72 arrows. Glenn Meyers, an archer from Grand Rapids, was 13th after 72 arrows Wednesday. Greg Barton, kayaker from Homer, finished second in his heat Tuesday.

He competes in the semifinals Friday. Kim Turner, 100-meter hurdler from Detroit, begins her quest for gold today in heats at 1:40 p.m. Detroit time. Michelle Berube of Rochester begins rhythmic gymnastics competition today. Bruce Kimball of Ann Arbor begins his quest for a platform diving medal Saturday.

Steve McCrory, 11 2-pound boxer from Detroit, assured himself of a medal by winning his quarterfinal bout Tuesday. (Bronze medals in boxing go to both losing semifinalists.) He fights next at 2 p.m. today. Frank Tate, 156-pound boxer from Detroit, defeated Christopher Zappopo of Zambia to advance to the semifinals and assure himself a medal. Brian Dlemer, a steeplechaser from Grand Rapids, competes in the semifinals at 1 1:10 tonight.

He had the second-best qualifying time in Monday's first-round heats Trena King, an archer from en's volleyball team, took a silver medal after the United States lost to China in Tuesday night's finals. Earl Jones of Inkster won a bronze medal in the 800 meters Monday. ChrlS Seuf ert of Ann Arbor won a bronze medal in women's springboard diving Monday. Judl Brown, the American record-holder in the 400 meter hurdles, won the silver medal Wednesday night. Ron Merrlott of Ann Arbor won the bronze in men's springboard diving Wednesday night.

Barry Larkin of the University of Michigan won a silver medal as a member of the U.S. baseball team. 099 series "Bare Essence" that made it a three-way race for viewers. (The numbers between 8:30 p.m. and 11 p.m., when all three were on: Tigers, 19.1, 29; Olympics, 18.2, 28; Bare Essence, 16.9, 26.) The Nielsen overnight ratings showed Olympics-watching was down in all eight metered cities.

Bettelou Peterson The Tigers weren't in top form Tuesday, but their fans stayed with them through the end of the televised doubleheader with Boston. The games cut into the Detroit Olympics ratings but warmed-over trash took its toll, too. WJBK-TV, Channel 2, was showing a rerjjn of the sexy mini- McGee of Flint, a member of the U.S. women's basketball team, won a gold medal with the Americans' 85-55 victory over Korea Tuesday night. Laurie Flachmeler of Detroit, a member of the U.S.

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