The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS "There is no player tougher than Spike Albrecht," Beilein said. "He proved that this season playing through injury and con- tinual pain in both hips. He never used it as an excuse, and I will always admire him for that. We have some of the world's best doctors at the University of Michigan, and we are confident he will only get better following this surgery and his summer of rehabilitation. "I am not expecting Spike to dunk any- time soon, but we do expect a full recovery by the start of our September workouts. We just want Spike to be at his best for his senior year at Michigan." Albrecht, who acknowledged a "lower body condition" but declined to get spe- cific about it during the year, said he was ready for the process. "This is something I knew I would have to do and now is the right time," Albrecht said. "I am so appreciative of all the sup- port I have received from the U-M medical doctors and staff, the U-M coaching staff, my teammates and especially all the Wol- verine fans. I cannot wait to get back to the floor playing pain free." VARSITY EIGHT BOAT EARNS HONOR The Michigan rowing team drew the spotlight in early April, with the first varsity eight garnering Big Ten Boat of the Week honors. The 1V8 crew posted a pair of wins April 4 versus No. 4 Virginia and Clemson. The 1V8 squad pulled out a close one over Virginia, on Lake Monticello in Charlottesville, Va. The crew — consisting of coxswain Hannah Sherman, along with Jessica Eiffert, Sarah Hudnall, Alex Spaulding, Kendall Brewer, Kai- tlin Wright, Tessa Yurko, Adena Coste, Abby Vare and Louisa Freeman — had already taken down Clemson earlier. The Wolverines beat Clemson by nearly five seconds, posting a time of 6:20.9 in tough, choppy conditions. Michigan then beat Virginia by less than two- tenths of a second (6:22.36-6:22.49), the Cavaliers closing strong at the end. Michigan made it through the first week of April ranked No. 9 in the nation. Junior guard Spike Albrecht struggled with pain in his hips all season, and he had his right hip surgically repaired in early April at U-M Hospital. His recov- ery could take four to five months. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN