During the next few days I'll be taking a look at the top NCAA teams in the country, trying to map out what we can expect as the NCAA Gymnastics Championships approach. Today's column contains a few words (and a photo gallery) on the talented 2011 Michigan squad.
Season high: 196.8.
Famous alumni: Elise Ray, class of 2005. (Fun fact: Ray's first name is actually Mary, not Elise. Who knew?)
The five-time consecutive Big 10 champion is a powerhouse in its own conference but often overlooked when people make lists of the great NCAA gymnastics schools. But year after year during the tenure of seniors Kylee Botterman, Jordan Sexton and Sarah Curtis, the University of Michigan has also been a Super Six contender.
Barring something shocking, Michigan should easily qualify for an NCAA berth as it hosts the Ann Arbor Regional this Saturday. It's biggest competitor at the meet should be no. 4 Stanford, which looked like a potential NCAA titleist early in the season.
Also trying to qualify to the NCAA Championships will be No. 16 Ohio State, No. 21 Iowa State, No. 23 Minnesota and No. 24 Kent State. But given the Wolverines' home court advantage and the senior status of its biggest stars, it would not be surprising to see it top its season high 196.8 at regionals.
Aside from a Jan. 22 loss at Iowa, Michigan's only defeats this season have come at the hands of Stanford and perennial NCAA contenders Alabama, Utah and Oklahoma. Which means that in order to qualify for the Super Six final, it will need strong performances.
It is bound to get them from Botterman, who is currently ranked no. 2 (behind Penn State's Sharaya Musser) in the all-around, as well as fourth on vault and floor. Botterman won every all-around contest she competed in during the regular season, but problems on bars, her weakest event, deprived her of the 2011 Big 10 all-around title.
Here are five routines to watch from Michigan:
- Kylee Botterman, vault: One of the only perfect 10s of the season came against Nebraska and Stanford. Stanford won the meet, but Botterman's vault was the routine of the weekend. (Watch it here.)
- Stephanie Colbert, floor: It seems like every big school has at least one freshman who has made a big impact on their team this season. Colbert and Reema Zakharia are Michigan's. Have a look at why in this floor routine. In a word, explosive. (Watch it here.)
- Trish Wilson, bars: An upperclassman with a natural swing and a uniquely composed routine that includes an in-bar Geinger and a Maloney transition. (Watch it here.)
- Natalie Beilstein, floor: A high-energy, high-spirited performance on the event that allows NCAA gymnasts to express themselves most. (Watch it here.)
- Jordan Sexton, beam: A smartly constructed, immaculately performed routine from the fifth-year senior. (Watch it here.)
Photo gallery!: Michigan-based gymnastics photographer Greg Long has been able to photograph several of Michigan's meets this season. Please enjoy his gallery of Michigan in action by clicking on the image of Brittnee Martinez above and to the left, or here.
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