The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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14 THE WOLVERINE ❱ DECEMBER 2025 ❱ INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS ❱ Student-Athlete Of The Month Graduate Runner Gabbie Michael For graduate student and Michigan runner Gabbie Michael, every step she has taken in competition and in the classroom has been shaped by family and purpose. The Frankenmuth, Mich., native comes from a background where family is at the center of everything. One of her biggest influences was her uncle, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer during her college recruitment. That served as a turning point. "I always knew I wanted to go into medicine," Michael told MGoBlue.com. "Once I saw the research and facilities at Michigan, and the fact that my uncle was being treated here, it just felt right." Her decision to head to U-M over rival Michigan State was a commitment to the type of career she wanted to build. She earned a degree in molecular, cellular and developmental biology, and is now pursuing a master's in chemical biology of cancer. "It feels like it was made for me," Michael said. "The focus is so specific to what I want to do, particularly around pancreatic cancer. After everything my family went through with my uncle, this feels like exactly where I'm supposed to be." Michael now does research at the Rogel Cancer Center, the same place her uncle received treatment. The significance of that is not lost on her. "It means everything to my family," she said. Her work in the lab is also shaped by a powerful experience outside of it. While shadow- ing and interning during her prep for medical school, Michael spent time on the pediatric oncology floor at Mott Children's Hospital. That stuck with her. "I remember it so vividly; it was emotional, sad and hopeful all at once," she said. "It was such a life-changing experience that I could just see myself in that environment." It is never easy for U-M student-athletes to balance classwork and competition, and Mi- chael has had to push through some injuries during her undergrad career. During the Big Ten Championships on Oct. 31, she ran a career-best 21:12.3 over 6 kilometers. But it is less about her times and her success, and more about her team and their bond. "This team is family, it's more than just teammates. It's a sisterhood," she said. "We've built something special together." As Michael's career winds down, medical school is the next item on the to-do list, with hopes to attend U-M. Her motivation comes back to what inspired her Ann Arbor journey to begin with. "It's in my heart to be the best oncologist I can be," she said. "I want to be there for people the way my uncle's doctors were there for him." — Anthony Broome MICHIGAN'S TOP PERFORMERS Women's soccer senior Jenna Lang: The midfielder was named to the All- Big Ten third team, the first postseason honor of her career fo l l o w i n g a n o u t- standing season in which she posted 10 points, ranking ninth in the conference. The Columbus, Ind., native's 4 assists in conference play checked in tied for second in the Big Ten. Women's field hockey graduate stu- dent Abby Tamer: For the second straight s e a s o n , s h e w a s tabbed as unanimous first-team All-Big Ten. The Whitmore Lake, Mich., native led U-M in the regular season with 8 goals, 2 assists and 18 points. Three of her goals were game-winners, all scored within the final three minutes of the fourth quarter. Women's tennis senior Lily Jones: The Grosse Pointe, Mich., native earned a bid to the 2025 NCAA Singles Championship after advancing to the semifinals of the ITA Sectional Champion- ships Nov. 6-8. She secured her second consecutive berth to the championships by coming out on top in three straight three-set matches. Men's soccer junior Will Baker: One of four Wolverines to earn second-team All- Big Ten honors, Baker started every match fo r M i c h i ga n a n d logged 1,519 min- utes on the pitch, the most of any outfield player. He scored his first career goal against Detroit Mercy Oct. 28 while adding 2 assists. The other second-team All-Big Ten selections from U-M are midfielder Shuma Sasaki and defenders Matthew Fisher and Nolan Miller. — Clayton Sayfie Michael, who ran a career-best time at the Big Ten Cross Country Championships on Oct. 31, plans to go to medical school and become an oncologist. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN PHOTOGRAPHY