Michigan Wolverines women's gymnastics
| Michigan Wolverines women's gymnastics | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Founded | 1976 |
| University | University of Michigan |
| Conference | Big Ten |
| Location | Ann Arbor, Michigan |
| Head coach | Bev Plocki (21st year) |
| Home arena | Crisler Center (Capacity: 12,693) |
| Nickname | Wolverines |
| Colors |
Maize and Blue[1] |
| Super Six Appearances | |
| 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2011 | |
| NCAA Regional Champions | |
| 1982, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015 | |
| NCAA Tournament Appearances | |
| 1982, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015 | |
| Conference Champions | |
| 1982, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015 | |
The Michigan Wolverines women's gymnastics team represents the University of Michigan and competes in the Big Ten Conference. Under head coach Bev Plocki, the team won 16 Big Ten championships in 20 years and advanced to 16 straight NCAA championship tournaments from 1993 to 2008.
History
The Michigan Wolverines women's gymnastics team was formed in 1976. In its 34-year history, the team has had six coaches as follows:
| Name | Seasons | W – L – T | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newt Loken | 1976 | 1 – 1 |
| 2 | Anne Cornell | 1977 – 1978 | 6 – 6 |
| 3 | Scott Ponto | 1979 | 19 – 3 |
| 4 | Sheri Hyatt | 1980 – 1984 | 51 – 26 – 1 |
| 5 | Dana Kempthorn | 1985 – 1989 | 42 – 76 |
| 6 | Bev Plocki | 1990 – Present | 673 – 231 – 2 |
Newt Loken, head of the men's gymnastics team from 1948 to 1983, was hired to be the first women's coach and served one season. Anne Cornell and Scott Ponto both served short tenures before Sheri Hyatt for five seasons starting in 1980. Under Hyatt, the program won its first Big Ten conference championship and qualified to its first NCAA tournament, both in 1982.
Hyatt was followed in 1985 by Dana Kempthorn, and then in 1990 by current head coach Bev Plocki. Plocki has led the Wolverines to twenty Big Ten titles and sixteen straight NCAA championship berths from 1993 to 2008, as well as in 2010, 2011, and 2013-15.[2]
The Wolverines have had four gymnasts who have won NCAA individual championships. Beth Wymer won the NCAA championship in the uneven bars three consecutive years from 1993 to 1995. Elise Ray won the NCAA all-around championship in 2001 (tied with UCLA's Onnie Willis), the balance beam championship in 2002 and the uneven bars in 2004.[3] Kylee Botterman won the 2011 NCAA all-around championship. In 2013, Joanna Sampson won the national championship on floor exercise.[4]
The Wolverines have qualified to the NCAA Championships 22 times. They have qualified to the Super Six team finals ten times:[5]
- In 1994, finishing #4 with a score of 195.150
- In 1995, finishing #2 with a score of 196.425
- In 1996, finishing #6 with a score of 196.375
- In 1997, finishing #4 with a score of 196.500
- In 1999, finishing #2 with a score of 196.550
- In 2000, finishing #6 with a score of 195.725
- In 2001, finishing #3 with a score of 197.275
- In 2003, finishing #5 with a score of 196.050
- In 2005, finishing #5 with a score of 196.575
- In 2011, finishing #6 with a score of 196.425
Facilities
Michigan's home competitions are held at the 12,693-seat Crisler Center. In 2002, the 22,000-square-foot (2,000 m2) Donald R. Shepherd Women's Gymnastics Training Center was dedicated. The Shepherd Center is the practice and training home of the women's gymnastics team. The facility has 17,000 square feet (1,600 m2) of training space; the remaining 5,000 square feet (460 m2) contains a training room, coaches offices, a locker room, a team lounge, and a study area.[6]
Roster
| Name | Height | Year | Hometown | Club |
| Nicole Artz | 5-3 | JR | Holland, MI | Champion Gymnastics USA |
| Brianna Brown | 5-2 | SO | West Chester, OH | Cincinnati Gymnastics |
| Briley Casanova | 5-1 | SR | Dallas, TX | WOGA |
| Talia Chiarelli | 5-2 | JR | Boston, MA | Brestyan's Gymnastics |
| Nichelle Christopherson | 5-2 | SO | Lee's Summit, MO | Fuzion Gymnastics |
| Ilana Gordon | 5-1 | SO | San Carlos, CA | Airborne Gymnastics |
| Cailee Hills | 5-2 | SO | Charlotte, NC | Southeastern Gymnastics |
| Olivia Karas | 5-2 | FR | Chicago, IL | IK Gymnastics |
| Lauren Martinez | 5-2 | SO | Orlando, FL | Orlando Metro |
| Emma McLean | 5-4 | FR | Clarkston, MI | Stars and Stripes |
| India McPeak | 5-2 | SO | Bangor, Northern Ireland | Salto Gymnastics Centre |
| Austin Sheppard | 5-4 | SR | Murphy, TX | WOGA |
| Lindsay Williams | 5-2 | SR | Northville, MI | Splitz Gymnastics |
- Head Coach: Bev Plocki
- Assistant Coach: Scott Sherman
- Assistant Coach: Dave Kuzara
- Volunteer Assistant: Sarah Cain
References
- ↑ "Style Guide: Colors". Office of Global Communications, University of Michigan. 2015-07-07. Retrieved 2015-07-07.
- ↑ "Michigan Women's Gymnastics Year-by-Year Results". Retrieved 4 September 2015.
- ↑ "Michigan Women's Gymnastics All-Time National Champions". mgoblue.com. Retrieved 2009-12-14.
- ↑ "Sampson Wins National Title on Floor". mgoblue.com. Retrieved 2013-04-22.
- ↑ "Michigan Women's Gymnastics Year-by-Year Results". mgoblue.com. Retrieved 2009-12-14.
- ↑ "Donald R. Shepherd Women's Gymnastics Training Center". mgoblue.com. Retrieved 2009-12-14.
- ↑ "2016 Michigan Women's Gymnastics Roster". MGoBlue. Retrieved 3 September 2015.