The Wolverine

  INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS Student-Athlete Of The Month Women's Golf Junior Grace Choi Growing up in Dallas, Grace Choi didn't necessarily think of Michigan as a golf mecca. She started playing golf when she was 6 so she knows a good golf environment when she sees it, and that's what she saw during her first visit to Ann Arbor. "I was very surprised during my visit," Choi said. "I didn't know much about the school, but I knew it was a good academic school so I visited and it just blew me out of the water. The great thing about Michigan is that you don't have to give up being a student to be an athlete because the academics are excellent." Academic excellence is something that Choi has strived for her entire life. During her time at Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas, she worked hard enough to be valedictorian of her class and was a three-year member of the National Honor Society. She also served as class president during her senior year. "My parents have always instilled the importance of school in me, and I've enjoyed school since I was little," Choi explained. "I've always enjoyed learning. It was no different once I got to Michigan. The academics are hard, but when you realize you can go sit in class and learn from some incredible professors it's worth it. "I'm pretty good at managing my time and knowing when it's time to study and when it's time to practice. Golf and school, and living a double life as a student-athlete, is just a great blend for me." When she's not leading her team on the golf course or grinding in the classroom, Choi finds time to participate in the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. "We meet every other week and it's been really cool to meet other stu- dent-athletes and get into issues about what we deal with and what we go through," she said. "We talk about the NCAA and Big Ten things and what's happening for athletes at Michigan, and that's been a lot of fun. "I started that last year as a sophomore. I plan on doing that the rest of the way through." Halfway through her college career, Choi is getting ready to make some big decisions. Life after Michigan may include golf, but whatever it entails Choi will be well prepared because of her hard work and positive attitude. "I'm getting ready to be an upperclassman now and I have some decisions to make," Choi said. "Because of the AP courses I took I could potentially finish my undergrad in three years, which is exciting. I've thought about

• Cover