Michigan Gymnastics...I'm Impressed.

Photo Credit: University of Michigan

The Michigan Gymnastics team is on fire this season and are proving themselves to be contenders for the "Super 6" in April. During the 2012 season, Michigan spent most of their season ranked in the low 20's with a smaller team than usual. They didn't have a senior class and they lost two important team members, Natalie Beilstein and Brittnee Martinez due to injuries. But Michigan entered this season with a fresh start and some new team members. They gain 3 former elites in their freshman class and one level 10 standout! So far this season, they have been rocks and haven't lost a meet yet. With each week, they not only maintain their high ranking, but their total team score has improved too. Check it out below...



Michigan vs. Michigan State (Exhibition)- 195.375
Michigan vs. Oregon State & BYU- 196.575 (Tied with Florida...ranked #1)
Michigan vs. Nebraska- 196.900 (Ranked #2)
Michigan vs. Illinois- 197.375 (Ranked #1)

Photo Credit: Michigan Gymnastics

The last time Michigan was ranked #1 was in 2000 and the last time they were ranked #2 was in 2006. So Michigan is starting this season off as their best ever! Some of their highest scores this season are a 9.925 on vault for Joanna Sampson, a 9.925 on bars for Katie Zurales, a 9.925 on beam for Katie Zurales, and a 9.950 on floor for Joanna Sampson. Some other high scores have come from Sachi Sugiyama who has scored a 9.9 on bars and beam, and Reema Zakharia who set a new personal best on floor with a 9.925. Michigan is currently ranked in the top three on 3 out of the 4 events.



            

 Michigan will be away next weekend and will face off with Iowa and Minnesota. If they continue doing what they have been doing, winning the rest of this season shouldn't be a problem. Their biggest challenge will be on March 10th when they take place in a quad meet against UCLA, Iowa State, and California. I'm hoping Michigan can go undefeated this year and really make history.


            

Head coach Bev Plocki says the team is no where near done with upgrading their routines, and adding new gymnasts to the lineups. This past weekend, Joanna Sampson debuted her HUGE double layout on floor but will not be competing it next weekend in Minnesota. There is also video of Sampson training a double layout with a full twist. Natalie Beilstein is also expected to add some upgrades on floor (such as her opening arabian double front!). Beilstein is currently competing a some what watered down routine, due to recovering from last years achilles rupture. According to Bev, Natalie has about 3 different E passes she can put into her routine and is trying to slowly work at putting those upgrades in. Freshman Austin Sheppard has mentioned contributing on vault and floor this season, and Briley Casanova will also slowly be adding more events. Coach Bev says she wants them to adjust to college life and not put to much on them too soon. She also mentions that these past few weeks have been watered down routines, and that their main goal was consistency. Within the next few weeks, everyone will slowly start to add in their more difficult elements.

Here's to the rest of an AMAZING season! Go Blue!