The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/246097
men's gymnastics profile according to Michigan men's gymnastics head coach Kurt Golder. "I was aware of Stacey from a very early age," Golder said. "And then when he was in high school, he really emerged as one of the best gymnasts in the country." In 2010, Ervin was invited to compete at the U.S. Junior National Championships, placing fourth in the all-around and winning the vault national title. All the while, Ervin was a huge fan of the Michigan men's gymnastics team. His parents started bringing him to meets at Cliff Keen Arena when he was 10 years old, and he would watch in awe at the things the Wolverines could do. He attended the Michigan gymnastics camp for six straight years. "I always had a strong connection to Michigan, and I have known Kurt for a long time," Ervin said. "So many of my role models who are now alumni influenced me to come here, because I saw the energy and excitement of Michigan gymnastics, and I wanted to be a part of it. "I was such a fan of the program from a young age. And the years right before I came, I saw the momentum picking up. They won a national championship in 2010, and the recruiting classes were getting better and better every year, and they were guys I had built friendships with at national meets. I always thought it would be great to go there." By his junior year at Truman High School, Ervin was receiving offers from all over the country. "I was getting nervous, because other schools were contacting me, and I hadn't heard from Michigan," Ervin said. "And then Kurt came back to my club gym one day." Golder extended an offer. The next day, Ervin called Golder to commit. "As a coach in Michigan, this state hasn't produced a lot of top all-arounders, and our scholarship money has to go mainly to those guys," Golder said. "I grew up in Michigan, went to Michigan, coach at Michigan, yet I had never given a Michigan kid a full-ride scholarship. It was like, 'Finally!' Now, all the club coaches in Michigan can say, 'If you work hard, you will get a scholarship. They're not just recruiting out-of-state guys.' I felt great about that." Ervin made an impact immediately. He earned All-America honors on floor and vault in 2012, and won the Big Ten individual championship on floor in 2013. After competing at the P&G U.S. Championships for the U.S. National Team this summer — taking fourth on floor, fifth on parallel bars, 12th on vault, 17th on high bar, 19th on still rings and 20th on pommel horse at the event — Ervin is training on all six events for the first time in his Michigan career. Although injuries to his back and bicep have slowed his progression on rings, high bar and pommel horse, Ervin is "already doing quite a bit more than he did last year," according to Golder. "I want to step it up as an all-around gymnast," Ervin said. "I didn't really set any specific goals, as far as postseason competitions, just because I am still trying to get into the best shape possible for all-around contention. Our team is so powerful in every event this year. We want to repeat Big Ten and NCAA championships, but as far as individual goals, I haven't solidified anything." — Andy Reid