The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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AUGUST 2021 THE WOLVERINE 41 "Starting out this season, we began by writing down our goals," Wojcik recalled. "Even back in September, when we couldn't practice all together as a team, due to COVID restrictions, we said, 'All right, this team is going to win the national championship.' "I think we had it in the back of our minds — not in a cocky way, but in a confident way. Okay, this is what we're going to set up to do, and this is what we're going to do. "We kept that in our minds throughout the season, in every com- petition. When it finally came, it felt like something we had prepared for, physically and mentally. We just went into the meet with full confidence, knowing we deserved to be there and that we could really fight for the title." The title — and the beam trio of Brooks, Wojcik and Heiskell that fin- ished it off — proved the culmination of a year full of highlights for Wojcik. Her perfect 10 on the beam at Ne- braska sticks in her mind. "It's my favorite event, and some- thing I've been working on for a really long time, especially on that event," she said. "We get judged in practice a lot by the coaches, so we can simulate meet situations. I've gotten a few 10s in practice, so it's something I knew I was capable of. I've been waiting for all of it to come together in a competition. It's definitely one of my highlights." The brightest lights of all came on when U-M's stars needed to lock down the national title on the high- risk, high-reward beam event. Wojcik and the Wolverines didn't disappoint. "My beam at the national finals was my second-highest score ever," she noted. "Going up and hitting one when it really mattered is something that meant a lot to me. "That whole beam rotation, honestly, was so exciting, such a thrill. Cheering for everyone throughout the whole thing, and knowing when it was my turn, I just had to go up and do what I did every day in practice. Then, sit back and watch one last person, and celebrate with my team after." Nerves? What nerves? With a na- tional title on the line, Wojcik simply wasn't sensing the anxiety that might be expected in such a situation. Plocki's approach — treat practice like performance time — trains the nerves right out of many athletes. Wojcik also carries the competitive makeup to buy into that approach. "I honestly didn't feel nervous at all," she said. "I was more like excited, waiting. I was like, 'I'm ready to go. When is it my turn?' Surprisingly, I didn't feel shaky. I didn't feel nervous. I just had an overwhelming sense of calmness. I think that came from my preparation through the season, knowing I'd hit the beam routine, both in practice and competition. I just had to go up and do it one more time. "I enjoy performing. I like the pres- sure. It pushes me to step up to the occasion. Being there with my team always helps." Wojcik recalls standing with her team back in the Michigan parking lot, for a homecoming celebration af- ter returning from the championship. Family and fans gathered to celebrate, and hear the "surreal" announcement of the team as national champions. They've been recognized around town, fans coming up and asking if they are who random followers think. Wojcik soaks it all in, while keeping her feet on the ground. She volunteers at a gymnastics pro- gram for special needs children, far from the spotlight. "The volunteers are there to sup- port them and have fun, teach them fundamentals of gymnastics," she said. "We work on motor skills, bal- ance, following directions, building confidence and things like that. "It's super fun to give back in a sport that's so important to me. It's something I'll definitely cherish when I look back on it." She plans to cherish 2021-22 as well. In her mind, the fun is far from over. "Absolutely," she said. "We're already talking about it. Like, 'All right — national championship, 2.0.' That's the goal once again. I don't think we're ever going to lower our sights from that goal, especially now that we know it's possible." They all remember the top-of-the- world sensation. "Standing behind the banner that said first-place team, all of us hold- ing the trophy and the confetti rain- ing down," she reflected. "That's the picture that comes to my mind when I remember our championship day. "It's the feeling of excitement, and relief. Looking back on it, it will give me and the team a sense of confi- dence, knowing that this is some- thing we did, and something we are fully capable of doing again. "We're not going to settle for any- thing less than our best effort to- wards another championship." ❏ Rounding Out The Top Five Michigan featured a host of female student-athletes who could share top indi- vidual honors this year. Here's a sampling of the many high achievers: Sierra Brooks, gymnastics — Brooks is certainly 1-A with Natalie Wojcik on this list, and some would make a case for the sophomore being No. 1, period. She's a four-time WCGA All-American, a two-time first-team All-Big Ten per- former, a two-time team MVP and someone who in only two seasons has posted a 9.900 or better on no fewer than 44 events. Her career-high 39.7750 in the all-around at the NCAA Championships is a Michi- gan record, and there's little doubt she'll only get better as her career progresses. Naz Hillmon, basketball — Hillmon absolutely dominated opponents in stretches for the Wolverines, and people noticed, making her the first woman in the history of the program to capture All-America distinctions. She became a fi- nalist for the Wade Trophy, given annually to the nation's best player, and earned consensus 2021 Big Ten Player of the Year honors. She started all 22 Michigan contests in 2020-21, averaging 23.9 points and 11.4 rebounds per game. Her 15 double-doubles ranked 11th in the nation. Hillmon also rewrote the Michigan record book for women and men, becoming the first Wolverine ever to score 50 points in a game, at Ohio State on Jan. 21. Maggie MacNeil, swimming & diving — Last year's winner of The Wolverine's award didn't tail off at all. Instead, she won a pair of national championships, becom- ing the title holder in the 100-yard freestyle and the 100-yard butterfly. Her freestyle time of 46.02 marks the third-fastest ever in the event at the NCAA Championships. Alex Storako, softball — The junior pitcher became a dominant force in the circle for the Wolverines this season. She posted a record of 22-3, with a 1.05 ERA. Storako struck out 270 hitters, while walking only 35. She helped deliver yet another Big Ten championship for Michigan, with great promise for the future. — John Borton