The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/106890
olympic sports profile him mentally. "It was definitely tough," Sebastian said. "Even if it wasn't my strongest event that I was sitting out of, you get into the mentality of doing all the events, and you lose a little bit of rhythm when you aren't competing in all six. "It became even more difficult because later in the season we had a few other injuries on the team, and I wasn't able to step in and fill those vacancies. "I think the struggles hurt our team mentality at the end of the season. It really made me appreciate how important it is to be healthy and out there competing." Following a disappointing sixthplace team finish at the 2012 NCAA Championships, Sebastian is intently focused on staying both positive and healthy throughout his quest to replicate his freshman year success, both individually and as a team, in his final stint in Ann Arbor. "I got together with my coaches to devise a plan in the gym where I train smarter on my wrists and have therapy to prevent another lat injury," said Sebastian, who finished 14th in the all-around competition at the 2008 Junior European Championships and fifth in the event at the 2008 Northern European Championships. "Despite the injuries, last year led to me learning even more about what I can do as a gymnast. It also helped the team understand that same type of mentality and adopt it in the gym, and get ready to do things the right way this season. "Competing for a team that won a national championship my freshman year set the stage for the rest of my career; I learned the right way to train and get ready for events. Being a part of those different teams throughout my time here and learning from different guys really put me in a position to effectively lead this team. "This year we are going to really strive to prepare for two days of high-level NCAA competition. I don't think we were ready physically to handle doing our job two days in a row last year. Day two is where you win NCAAs." Even if the Wolverines are afforded the opportunity to compete in meaningful events on the second day of the 2013 NCAA Championships and realize the success they yearn, it will be a bittersweet day for the Irish national. "Realizing that this is my last season, it hasn't really hit me yet," said Sebastian, who plans to compete for Ireland in international competition when done donning the Maize and Blue. "This last postseason run with my team is going to special. "I was just looking at the Windy City Classic in Chicago. I've competed there for the past three years, and the fact that it will be the last time I am going to Chicago to try to win this competition just hit me. It'll be a similar feeling with all of the dual meets we'll have with other universities. "I don't think it has all hit me yet, but I think when I am finishing an event at a particular gym it will start to set in that this is the last time I will be competing there." — Kevin Minor