The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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Vanderkaay: The fourth and final brother of, arguably, the most suc- cessful family in Michigan history, featuring Christian (2001-05), Pe- ter (2003-06) and Alex (2005-08), Vanderkaay helped lead U-M to a victory over Michigan State on Se- nior Day Feb. 4. In the year's last regular-season meet, Vanderkaay took first in the 500-yard free- style (4:36.93) and second in the 400-yard indi- vidual medley (4:01.68), scoring 13 points in the 186-102 win. Women's gymnastics sophomore Joanna cleanup hitter and starting third baseman, Chidester helped lead U-M to a 4-0 record during its open- ing weekend of play this season with two home runs, seven RBI and a .714 slugging percentage. The Al- len Park, Mich., native also came around to score four runs while proving a perfect 10 for 10 on any balls hit in her direction. Michi- gan hit .342 with six home runs and outscored its competition 26-12 Feb. 10-12. Women's swimming and diving senior Alexa Mehesan: One of seven seniors to take their final bow during the Wol- verines' 171-120 win over Michigan State Jan. 27, Mehesan has been almost invincible in the 50-yard freestyle this season, going 7-1. The West Des Moines, Iowa, native heads to her home state for the Big Ten Champi- onships Feb. 15-18 determined to win the event and avenge her only loss of the year, by five-hun- dredths of a second to Ohio State's Megan Detro. Women's tennis freshman Sarah Lee: One- half of the most dominating fresh- man duo in the Big Ten, along with Emina Betkas, Lee was 6-0 in dual matches at No. 4 singles, and 1-0 upon her promotion to No. 3 sin- gles, through Feb. 14, in leading No. 10 Michigan to a 5-3 start. The Los Angeles native is 18-5 overall this year (.783 winning percentage). 14 THE WOLVERINE MARCH 2012 Sampson: On a balanced team that doesn't feature a single super- star, every gymnast has an oppor- tunity to garner the spotlight, and Sampson took her turn in a victory over No. 20 West Virginia Feb. 3 that improved U-M to 4-0. The Willow Grove, Pa., native scored her first career all-around title with a career-best 39.300. She tied for first on bars (9.900) and floor (9.825), and now has four event wins this season and five in her two years. Softball senior Amanda Chidester: Michigan's Men's swimming and diving senior Dane TOP PERFORMERS OF THE MONTH MICHIGAN'S INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS Student-Athlete Of The Month Volleyball Redshirt Sophomore Brittany Lee Brittany Lee is used to hectic schedules. In high school, the defensive specialist played club volleyball — with the AAU champion Munciana Samurai — 90 minutes from her home in Indianapolis, and she would race from school to practice and back home again, somewhere finding time to fit in the homework. After that, college is nothing. "I found a good balance, absolutely crazy, and I definitely think the schedule is easier now, from a time-management perspective. Obviously, it's more demanding and a high level, but I love it. Lee, who was named Academic All-Big Ten this fall, took a career aptitude test when she first got to school, to see if she could pique her interest in any potential field of study. The test spit back two career paths: pharmacy and dentistry. "I could work in medicine, " no way.'" " she said. "I saw that and was like, 'There is " Lee said. "My schedule in high school was Lee missed a majority of the 2011 season due to injury but was named Academic All-Big Ten this past fall. PHOTO COURTESY U-M SPORTS INFORMATION career, she found herself being drawn back to an early passion. "It was in high school when I developed my interest in the Spanish language, So she took a leap of faith, and switched majors. Lee may not know exactly what she wants to do with her degree, but she knows where she wants to do it. "I haven't had the opportunity to travel, I would love to live abroad somewhere in Spain or South America," she said. "I've always thought that working as a translator in a foreign country could be very interest- ing. And, as I'm figuring it out, the U-M Career Center has been such a big help. "I've been working with them to see what my options are for after the culture. It was so unique and diverse and different from out own. I was always fascinated by it, and when I got into college, I realized I wanted to keep pursuing it. I thought it would be a good option for me, because I really enjoy it. " Lee said. "I always loved Spanish class, and learning about " graduation." Unfortunately, Lee missed a majority of the 2011 season due to injury, but she did play in three matches. "I've been rehabbing, getting healthier, it's really starting to pay off. I'm feeling much better." " she said. "It's hard work, but — Andy Reid So she took up screen, arts and culture, but soon into her academic