SPORTS

18 — Wednesday, October 14, 2020 Sports The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com

With experience in athletics How Paul Juda continued to perfect his craft and medicine, Alex Sobczak understands both sides during COVID-19

BECCA MAHON/Daily Sophomore gymnast Paul Juda stayed locked in, finding creative ways to work out from home while he was unable to train at the gym. through home workouts was tougher than I expected. to have high expectations ABBAS KAGAL hosted over Zoom, but his first I got homesick for sure, even for their future and aim to For The Daily time back in the gym and being though my parents were close bring Michigan the NCAA able to perform even basic by.” Championship that the team With gyms closed and no gymnastics sets inspired him But by his second semester, worked tirelessly for during end to quarantine in sight, to take advantage of the break. Juda set a goal to become last year before their season Paul Juda initially found “I did a lot of cardio on a leader for the team in all was canceled. it challenging to motivate my stationary bike at home,” aspects, even on a team Amid adjusting to U-M himself. Juda, a sophomore Juda said. “Every hour that primarily composed of academics, with his mentality standout and reigning Big Ten I spent on there sweating it upperclassmen. He pushed pushing him, Juda was also Freshman of The Year on the out, I thought about how much for an environment that selected for the United States ALEC COHEN/Daily Former softball player Alex Sobczak has studied COVID-19 through her research. Michigan men’s gymnastics team, decided to use the closer I would be than the next guy who’s doing nothing only accepts excellence, which carries into the team’s Men’s Senior National Team in February, becoming its unexpected shut-down to during this break. dynamic this year and going youngest member at just take time off from his intense “That kind of pushed me the forward. 19 years old. The day after, don’t want to put players’ training regimen. most, the thought that these “All that really changed for Juda was selected for the NICHOLAS STOLL health at risk. Especially “Athletes are humans too, at hours that you don’t get back, me this year is my class rank,” Pan American Games, one of Daily Sports Writer not knowing the long term least I am,” Juda said. “I let my I’m using them to get over the Juda said. “I’m still trying to the now-postponed Tokyo effects of COVID-19 and how body take a little bit of a break. edge.” achieve the same goals I set Olympics qualifier events for

Former Michigan softball it affects the organs. I would You never know how stressed That mentality is what since I got here. It’s demanding the U.S. But yet again, Juda player Alex Sobczak used be concerned playing right out you are until you take a propelled Juda even before excellence and being your looks at this temporary pause to devote hours upon hours now personally. I think it’s break.” coming to Michigan when best.” as a building block to his every week to practice, so hard to keep a bubble right But the time off, his first he was competing against The team has also changed eventual goal. games, conditioning and now, especially on a college in a long while, gave Juda a international gymnasts and with a lot of fresh faces, giving “If anything, this team activities. The rest of campus, and I guess it’s really new perspective on the sport placing in the top three against Juda a new perspective on the postponement of the Olympics her waking hours were spent up to weighing the sacrifices he loves and trains for every Olympians at the United States upcoming season. is only advantageous to working on her Biopsychology, on both ends and what that single day. Senior Championship in 2019. “Having a younger team is someone in my particular Cognition and Neuroscience looks like.” “Staying at home for the Still, the transition to really good for me because I situation,” he said. “It’s a degree to prepare her for With the near-impossible first time without gymnastics Michigan and a Division I like the idea of showing people whole year of development for medical school. implementation of a bubble for an extended period of time, program wasn’t as easy as it the steps they should follow me, and I focus on training

Since graduating in 2019, on a college campus, the and getting back in the gym would seem, even for someone and guiding them towards through efficiency and not Sobczak has spent the past year preventative measures fall that first day,” Juda said, “that as talented as Juda. using intelligent moves in the wasting the time I have. researching topics in medicine squarely on three things: makes you really remember “It wasn’t all sunshine gym,” Juda said. “I can sense What’s most important for at the University of Michigan’s masks, testing and staying why you fell in love with the and rainbows,” Juda said. the hunger from the guys me going forward is my body, hospital system and applying within the team’s rudimentary sport to begin with.” “Adjusting to the academics without having to motivate mind, and nutrition while to medical schools. While she bubble. And with cases on the Juda conditioned and the amount of work it them too much.” being happy and staying close hasn’t finalized her decision, rise as football, fall and winter throughout the quarantine takes to compete at this level He and the team continue with my teammates.” Sobczak’s research has already sports start dates approach, been valuable. She studies those two elements become opioids and transplants, but even more important. more recently Still, has conducted Sobczak research on understands COVID-19. In doing As much as you the desire for athletes so, Sobczak has garnered love sports, you to play. She herself was a a wealth of knowledge about the virus. Despite what she now knows, have to watch out for people’s health and be concerned player, and she knows plenty of athletes on the softball team and elsewhere. Charlie Green changed Michigan golf, and his memory remainsfor Sobczak, what she still about the aftermath Athletics is their escape. doesn’t know is her primary for something It is their way to cope with FILE PHOTO/Daily reason for concern. like this. the stress, fear and anxiety CHRISTIAN JULIANO thing that any guest or staff member saw when they came things every day helped make the clubhouse feel like a second significant hole at the course was named after him, Charlie never Especially as surrounding For The Daily into the clubhouse,” former home. let it affect his work. it surrounds the pandemic. Michigan coach Chris Whitten “The coaches see the kids “While he was deeply athletics. For many, it This past August, the said. “Charlie was really my every day … we skip some of the thankful for it, he treated

“I think there’s just a lot of is a huge part of their life and Michigan golf teams and Ann introduction to the athletic personal stuff, just ‘How are everyone the same still and was misconceptions about COVID- of who they are. For some, it Arbor community lost a key department, to golf at Michigan you doing?’ ” Whitten said. “The always willing to help and be 19 right now,” Sobczak said. might even be their profession, member in Charlie Green, who in general, and really the history fact that they had to walk past hands on,” Sean Green said. “As a healthy 23-year old, I such as Sobczak’s fiancé, Nick passed away at age 84. of the athletic department and Charlie’s door before they got to Charlie also was a major get that somebody my age isn’t Plummer, an outfielder in the For the typical Michigan fan, the people who had been a part the coaches, he got to ask them proponent of women’s sports at going to be super concerned St. Louis Cardinals’ minor Charlie’s would not exactly be of it.” how they were as people.” Michigan. He was incredibly about getting a severe case of league system. considered a household name. In addition to serving the Today, a lasting memory of passionate about the promotion COVID-19, but in all honesty, “Being engaged to somebody But, to many entrenched in golf course in any way possible, Charlie persists in the form of of the women’s golf team in its nobody really knows the long- who’s in baseball right now, I the golf lore here at Michigan, Charlie continued to be a beacon a plaque at the tee of the sixth inception. term effects of it.” think it’s really hard to see Charlie Green was synonymous of warm nature and created hole, commemorating his career. “He really thought it was

The mystery of the possible that he can’t play his sport,” with the program. a welcoming atmosphere for The hole serendipitously named extremely important for women long-term effects, put simply, Sobczak said. “It’s devastating Charlie served as clubhouse golfers. Many have said that for Charlie was his favorite. It to have the opportunity to play. is quite worrying. And for when you work your whole life manager for the U-M Golf Charlie made everyone on the was endowed in his name by … It was really about equality,” anyone on the outside of a for something and you don’t Course for 52 years. His role in team feel more at home, and university donor John Buck in women’s golf coach Jan Dowling sport looking in, that’s why know when you’re going to get this position was not only crucial made the university a little bit 2001, and it is often described as said. universities and conferences back to it and it’s an outlet for to the course’s operation, but smaller. one of the most memorable and Charlie was always incredibly are so apprehensive to begin you. I think that’s been hard. also to the golf teams as a whole. “(Charlie) represented a masterful holes at the course. interested in making the course play — they don’t know what It’s weighed on a lot of us. It “Being there so much, he connection to (the players), “(Buck) wanted to make a more playable and providing could happen to these players weighed on me.” obviously knew all of the golf and he is one of the people that gift to the university,” Sean opportunities for all people to in the future after contracting Despite the difficulty, coaches and the teams in created a new home away from Green said. “But, the first thing play and participate. the virus. Sobczak is glad her fiancé is particular,” Charlie’s son, Sean home for these young kids he thought of was my dad. He Dowling said Charlie wanted

Not only are they young, not playing. The health risks, to Green said. “As they were going coming to a big University for wanted my dad recognized for to “grow the game” and make as Sobczak mentioned, but her, justify personal decisions off on golf trips, he would be the first time,” Whitten said. all of the hours and effort he the course more accessible. college athletes are in fantastic not to play when protocol isn’t there, pretty often to send them “He was kind of like the father, put in at the course, and with Dowling recounted a story about shape. The likelihood of an air tight, such as in the MLB off on the bus. He always took an or grandfather figure for a lot of athletics in general.” the “women’s” tees at the course. athlete having a severe case and affiliate leagues as well active interest in all the players those kids.” Sean recounted that the hole’s “They’re not the ‘women’s that lands them hospitalized as college campuses where and the team.” Charlie was not your typical endowment “brought tears” to tees,’ he calls them the maize is minimal, but the possible a bubble is unlikely and the Seeing as his career lasted clubhouse manager. Often, he Charlie’s eyes. It was a profound tees,” Dowling said. “Guys can underlying after-effects, such virus can spread rapidly. five decades, Charlie took pride made it a part of his job to take commemoration of a truly play it, girls can play it, it was as myocarditis and other In her eyes, to proceed, not in the seemingly more mundane interest in the lives of players. profound career and man. really all about equality.” unknowns, are concerning. only do you need multiple parts of his work as clubhouse Unlike many coaches they may The hole itself could To commemorate his passion In order to play, these risks levels of precaution, but manager; he helped organize have encountered, Charlie certainly be described as the for women’s sports, the women’s must be minimized as much you need to be aware of the club outings, oversaw day to day more than anything else was most memorable on the course. golf league at the course has a as possible. The decision to consequences. operations, managed staff and particularly interested in what Whitten described it in detail: tournament named in his honor. be made is how strict these “As much as you love worked hands on to set up for Whitten referred to as “non-golf “The hole is really unique. The Charlie’s presence in the restrictions and precautions sports,” Sobczak said, “you important course events. But things.” These often included design of the green, the length of clubhouse was an important one. need to be. have to watch out for people’s beyond this, Charlie was as close how players’ families were the hole, the strategy options, it He played a vital role for so many

“I think you’re going to health and be concerned about as one could get to an honorary doing, how school was going definitely is the hole that people members of the golf teams, and have to sacrifice on both the aftermath for something member of the Wolverines’ golf and what they were interested in remember when they think of his story and contributions will ends,” Sobczak said. “ … You like this.” programs. off the course. Having a person the course.” be commemorated by course“Charlie’s office was the first like Charlie ask about these Although arguably the most goers for years to come.

The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com Sports Wednesday, October 14, 2020 — 19 ‘It makes sure that none of us take it for granted’: Season-ticket holders prepare for season without fans

There’s a small, tailgates or watch parties. Still, white house a few he’s excited for the normalcy blocks from Mich- that college football will bring, igan Stadium. even if it’s just on TV.

Most months, it sits empty, What won’t be the same is even as the surrounding the lack of non-revenue sports. neighborhood is packed with Since moving to Ann Arbor in student renters. 1970, Raymond’s been to watch But seven every Michigan sport except Saturdays tennis. Soccer, track and field a year, Paul and softball are among his Furlo and favorites. None of those will be his friends open to fans this year. descend on So instead, Raymond will the house, be stuck at home watching not which they just football, but every other purchased sport as they gradually return a few years THEO to play. It won’t be an entirely ago to MACKIE foreign experience — Raymond enhance has watched home games on their game- TV before — but it brings a difday experience. “Little house ferent air to fall in Ann Arbor. at the Big House,” Furlo calls Season-ticket holders, like it. everyone else, will miss the

Their routine, by now, is little things about game days. set in stone. They cater the same order from Zingerman’s, ALEC COHEN/Daily Michigan Football season ticket holders are coming up with creative ways to keep the gameday tradition alive despite not being at the games in-person. They’ll miss the walk down Main Street to the stadium and coupled with a few kegs set the kettle corn once they get up in the backyard. In early socially distance and still enjoy in a row attending at least a lege football season, but really For Steve Raymond, a long- there. They’ll miss that first September, before the weather the games and still be able to handful of games. “We buy not as much,” Metzendorf said. time season-ticket holder, the sight of the field each Septemgets too cold, they bring along be in our favorite college town them because we enjoy going,” “I’m not as intent to watch relief came earlier, when the ber and the camaraderie of their small children, hoping to watch games on TV.” Metzendorf said of his season games until Michigan starts Big Ten announced games singing the fight song together to indoctrinate them into the Furlo isn’t the only one tickets. playing.” would be closed to fans. While after touchdowns. tradition. who’s planning to continue This year, the Metzendorfs Like for Furlo and every Furlo said he would con- And even when they get

This year, that opportunity his tailgating tradition even as — along with more than 70,000 other season-ticket holder, it sider attending games with together for their tailgates and is already past — Michigan’s fans are barred from attend- other season-ticket holders — won’t be the same. But Michi- minimized capacity, Raymond watch parties, it won’t quite be home slate won’t start until ing games. A few blocks away, won’t have that opportunity. gan fans are taking the small opted out of his job as an event the same. Halloween. But when it does, Eric Metzendorf and his wife, Instead, they’ll have a few victories as they come. Met- staffer back when Michigan “When you lose something Furlo and his friends will still Lauren, are planning to do the friends over and tailgate at zendorf was thrilled to learn was considering allowing fans. great like Michigan football,” be there, looking longingly at same. home like they usually do for that the Ohio State game is “I am perfectly happy to Furlo said, “it makes sure that Michigan Stadium from the The Metzendorfs moved to away games. If the weather back in its traditional spot as sit this season out,” Raymond none of us take it for granted.” outside. Ann Arbor in 1999 for Eric’s cooperates, Eric says, they the season finale, moved back said. “Because I’m of an age

“We’re gonna enjoy those job and immediately bought might venture downtown to from an earlier schedule itera- where I feel like the risk is not home games still,” Furlo said. season tickets. Occasionally, watch games at restaurants tion that placed it in October. worth it to me for my own per“But we’re gonna enjoy them they’ll miss a game or two for with outdoor seating. “I said, ‘OK all is right with the sonal health.” Mackie can be reached at on the many big screens at our weekend trips, but this season “What’s interesting too is schedule again,’ ” Metzendorf Unlike Furlo and Metzen- tmackie@umich.edu or on house in Ann Arbor and we’ll would have been their 22nd I’m paying attention to the col- said. dorf, he doesn’t plan to host Twitter @theo_mackie.

As his senior season nears, Kwity Paye’s Versatility and explosive plays set to

Michigan career comes into focus determine ceiling of Michigan’s run game

shorter than Charbonnet and over 100 yards a year ago.THEO MACKIE Haskins, Evans was reared as a To bridge that gap, Jay Managing Sports Editor high school wide receiver. His Harbaugh says, Michigan needs frame, even now, isn’t designed to to transform more pedestrian A year ago, Zach Charbonnet take 224 carries, as Higdon did in five-yard gains into 20-yard and Hassan Haskins combined 2018. chunk plays. for 1,348 yards and 15 touchdowns In other words, his skill set That’s where months of Zoom on 270 carries. For Michigan, it should comport perfectly with meetings came into play, back was a promising revelation. Two those of Charbonnet and Haskins. before the Wolverines were players who had never played a That extends beyond the running even able to resume small group college snap proved they could be game, too. A year ago, Michigan’s workouts in June. Admittedly, trusted to take over the backfield top four backs combined for speed, balance and change of from Karan Higdon. 20 receptions. In 2018, Evans direction all play a role in the And yet, as a whole, the notched 18 on his own. ability to break off explosive Wolverines produced their least “Chris, he’s just different than plays. More important, though, is effective rushing offense of the Jim Harbaugh era. In his first four years, Michigan averaged 188.3 rushing yards per game on 4.5 yards per carry. Last year, FILE PHOTO/Daily those numbers dropped to 151.2 Senior defensive end Kwity Paye celebrates a stop against the Northwestern Wildcats in 2018. and 4.0. The problem, as running backs 2017 recruiting class — a group really working on my pass rush. coach Jay Harbaugh alludes to DANIEL DASH that ranked No. 5 nationally, Last year, I would say I was now, may have been a lack of Daily Sports Editor according to 247Sports. really more of a run defender but versatility. Last October, Paye recalled a now this year I’ve kind of worked Jay Harbaugh won’t come out

As the Big Ten’s 2020 football moment during his recruitment the pass rush into there as well.” and say as much. Charbonnet and season hung in the balance when a Michigan fan called him With Michigan’s top pass- Haskins were both objectively leading up to this fall, senior a “three-star bum” on social rusher from last season, Josh good last year. Criticizing them defensive end Kwity Paye had “a media. The comment stuck with Uche, now in the NFL, Paye for having similar skill sets would million people” in his ear. Some him. By flipping his commitment and junior defensive end Aidan be both unfair and unhelpful. told him he should hold out hope from Boston College to Michigan, Hutchinson will be asked to But in Jay Harbaugh’s praise for a season and remain in Ann Paye got his first taste of what it’s pressure the quarterback even of Chris Evans, who is returning ALEC COHEN/Daily Arbor. Others thought opting out like to drown out the noise. more. If Paye answers the from a year-long academic Chris Evans’ explosiveness will open up the Wolverines’ running attack in and declaring for the NFL Draft “I still remember when I call, it’ll further cement his suspension, his recognition of the his return to the roster. would be a better long-term decommitted from Boston projection as a top pick in the pair’s flaws is evident. choice. College,” Paye said. “When I 2021 NFL Draft. CBS Sports’ “Being able to have a guy who a standard back,” Jay Harbaugh the mental aspect.

But in Paye’s eyes, it was never committed to (Michigan), people latest mock draft featured Paye excels outside the tackles,” Jay said. “… Last year, you would Michigan’s running backs need much of a dilemma. were like, ‘Oh no, you’re not at No. 10 overall on Wednesday, Harbaugh said, “helps balance say a lot of times, the guys we to be able to identify opposing

“I came back for a reason,” going to play. You’re making a while other outlets have floated out Zach and Hassan who are had on the field, they’d get out defensive schemes so that they Paye said on a Zoom call with big mistake. Don’t do it.’ All these his name as a potential first- good out there, but they’re special on check downs where they can see where the defense is reporters Thursday. “I didn’t years later, all it took was hard round selection. inside the box.” weren’t really a factor in the trying to funnel them and do the come back just to say, ‘Oh, I was work and consistency and I am So far, Paye checks all the This year, Evans and freshman quarterback’s thought process, in opposite. But simply identifying coming back.’ I came back to play where I am.” boxes — he’s put plenty of Blake Corum will provide just his progression. the defense’s direction isn’t a season, so that was the only Now a senior, Paye has highlights on tape and his that. But while Corum — the “A guy like Chris, who can sufficient. In concert with the thing going that was through my emerged as a crucial piece of reputation and physical abilities 12th-ranked 2020 running back, beat the majority of linebackers offensive line, running backs head. That’s why I stayed so long, the Wolverines’ defense. He precede him. He topped The per 247Sports — will have to or safeties he runs a route on have to know which defenders just because I got my hopes up recorded a team-high 12.5 tackles Athletic’s list of “freaks” across adapt to the college game as and then he can make the play are supposed to be in which playing this season. for loss last season — including college football in July, and Charbonnet did a year ago, Evans and catch the ball, that adds gaps, allowing them to spot

“… I wanted to graduate, I 6.5 sacks — and added three his 6.37 three-cone drill time, will need no such adjustment. In an element where you can holes before they open and avoid wanted to play a season, and quarterback hurries. When the sub-4.6 40-yard dash time and three seasons at Michigan, he’s include the running back in the the opponent’s free hitter — the that’s what I did. I’m not really team’s back was against the wall 34-inch vertical make it easy to rushed for 1,722 yards on 304 progression.” unblocked cornerback or safety the type of person to take advice against Army, Paye recovered see why. carries, good for 5.7 yards per For the Wolverines to bolster designated to make the tackle. from other people. As my mom the game-winning fumble in That leaves only one thing left attempt. their running game, though, Explaining this in a Zoom would say, I’m real stubborn double-overtime. to accomplish. “As far as where I see myself Evans alone can’t be responsible. call with local media, though, and once I have my heart set After a junior season of “I have no rings,” Paye said. at, I’m wherever they need In 2018, when Michigan gained won’t transform the Wolverines’ on something, I like to see it wreaking havoc in the run game, “I came to the University to me at,” Evans said on Sept. 11. 203.8 yards per game on the running game. Jay Harbaugh’s through. I came here for four Paye used the offseason to zero be a champion, and I’m yet “Whatever’s gonna put the team ground, Higdon paced the team message, so sound in theory, now years and I’m happy with that.” in on improving elsewhere. to be a champion. I’m trying in the best situation.” with 5.3 yards per carry. lies in the hands of his players.

With the Big Ten football “I didn’t show enough of (my to accomplish that one thing Evans’ stats through three Last season, Charbonnet and “I would love to hear you ask season set to begin in a little more pass-rush moves) last year,” Paye because I feel like I’ve done seasons are a testament to his Haskins managed just 4.9 and those guys that,” he said when than two weeks, Paye’s career has said. “That’s because I didn’t everything I’m supposed to do. … explosiveness — something Jay 5.1, respectively. The gap between asked how to manufacture come into focus. Three years ago, feel like I focused on it a lot last This is my last year. I’m giving it Harbaugh referenced repeatedly those numbers and Higdon’s explosive plays. “Just to see how he arrived in Ann Arbor as the year, but this offseason I really all I got. This team is giving it all last week. But the 101 carries might not seem substantial on much they’ve been focusing on it third-lowest-ranked prospect focused on my go-to move and we’ve got. per season are also a testament balance, but over the course of and if they’ve internalized stuff.” in the Wolverines’ heralded then my counter and then just “Just trying to get that ring.” to what Evans isn’t. Two inches 270 carries, it cost the Wolverines In two weeks, he’ll find out.