The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/230001
BREAKING OUT Michigan's Wrestling And Women's Gymnastics Teams Could Be Building Something Special L BY ANDY REID ast season did not go according to plan for the Michigan wrestling and women's gymnastics teams. After two straight top-15 finishes at the NCAA Championships, the wrestling team fell to a tie for 33rd place in 2013 and tied for eighth place in the regular-season Big Ten standings — its worst finish since 2010. And after winning 18 Big Ten Championships titles in 20 years (1992-2011), the women's gymnastics team finished off the top spot on the podium for the second straight season, taking second in 2013. The Wolverines won an NCAA regional title, but fell to seventh at the NCAA Championships. Both teams are looking to get back in the national spotlight this season. "We have the talent on the team," fifth-year senior wrestler Dan Yates said. "If everyone really truly buys in and continues in the direction we're going right now, we can be in hunt for a Big Ten title. There's no reason why we couldn't be. The Big Ten is the toughest wrestling conference in the nation, but we have some of the best guys in the nation on this team." "This is probably the strongest group we've had since I've been here, just the team chemistry and depth," senior gymnast Joanna Sampson said. "Everything seems like it's falling into place for us. There's no reason why we shouldn't win Big Tens, make it back to nationals, make it back to Super Six, and place on that podium at nationals." YOUNG WRESTLERS SOLIDIFYING FOUNDATION The Michigan wrestling team is in the process of building a powerhouse. With facilities any team would die for, a nationally respected coaching staff that includes head coach Joe McFarland and assistants Sean Bormet and Donny Pritzlaff, and recruits flocking to Ann Arbor — the Wolverines signed the nation's top class in 2013 and have landed Zac Hall, the No. 18 senior and No. 4 138-pounder in the nation according to Intermat.com, and