The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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only won one all-around title, and that was back in 1963," Golder said. "Now, to get three of the last four, it's huge. Penn State is considered Linebacker U. in football, and we're starting to be looked upon as All-Around U." Four days after winning the title, the Wolverines met at the U-M Coliseum, their practice facility, to start work on next year's run. When they entered the locker room to get ready, a large poster with the dates of the 2014 Big Ten and NCAA meets greeted them. An empty box, where a checkmark will go if and when the team wins those meets, accompanied each date. ship and are already back in the gym four days later, preparing for the fall," Caesar said. "You can't put into words how driven each individual on this team is. We're getting right back at it. It's a difficult balance to enjoy this championship and look forward, but we know what the opportunity in front of us is. We're going to start now." And the Wolverines will have a special blend of motivation for the 2014 national championship. Michigan's bid to host the championship meet was accepted, and Golder said the athletic department is already planning to "pull out all the stops" for the event, which will be held in Crisler Arena. Fifth-year senior Syque Caesar "We just won a national championship and are already back in the gym four days later, preparing for the fall. You can't put into words how driven each individual on this team is. We're getting right back at it. It's a difficult balance to enjoy this championship and look forward, but we know what the opportunity in front of us is. We're going to start now." "We want to start a dynasty," de los Angeles said. "We're not just going for the title this year — we're going for a repeat next year. That way, more and more gymnasts will see what we're building, and they'll want to come over, and it will continue to grow." Next year, the Wolverines return 95 percent of their scoring from this season, including Mikulak, de los Angeles and Caesar, who was recently granted a sixth year of eligibility because he missed the 2010 and 2012 seasons with injury. "We just won a national champion- "I am super pumped for it to all unfold," Mikulak said. "Competing in front of a home crowd is always the biggest, most exciting thing. Our fans always get into it. We'll be competing in Crisler, which is something we haven't done in a long time. It's so easy when it's here, and everything seems like it's the perfect scenario. "We came to college to win national championships. That is the ultimate goal. So far, I have completed every accolade that I wanted, and I have one more year. A repeat would be the best way to cap it all off." ❏