The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS Sitting Down With Sophomore Gymnast Sam Mikulak Sam Mikulak shocked the men's gymnastics world last sea- son when he won the NCAA all-around national champion- ship as a true freshman — believed to be the first freshman in NCAA history to earn the individual title. After battling a knee injury for much of this year, the sophomore is finally healthy and ready to defend his crown April 20 and push toward a spot on the United States Olympics team. The Wolverine: How is your health, and what is the status of the team's health? Mikulak: "This whole season so far, our whole team has huge leading up to the Olympics. would it mean for you to make the Olympic team? Mikulak: "If I make The Wolverine: What " wanting to defend the Big Ten and NCAA titles, but there has been so many problems going on with my body, I haven't really had a chance to say, 'OK, well, this is me at my best — everyone watch out. once? Mikulak: "Oh yeah. I want to win another NCAA champi- onship, but the thing that's driving me more right now is the Olympic team. NCAAs is the stepping-stone to the big- ger picture. It's a large goal of mine to win NCAAs, but the Olympics is where most of my motivation is coming from. It's all going one meet at a time, though, so every meet is The Wolverine: Are you more driven after having won it " extra pressure, because of the national championship? Mikulak: "I didn't, really. Obviously, I came into the year just been plagued with injuries. Everyone's starting to get healthy now; I'm getting back into it. We've been ranked eighth all season, which is definitely not what we thought would be the case. Now that we have a few people back, I can definitely see us being a huge threat as a team. I can def- initely say we're going to do some big stuff, because we're all looking good, wanting it and working hard in the gym." The Wolverine: Coming into this season, did you feel any this Olympic team, I will be seen as one of the more experienced gymnasts. I'm a very young gymnast, so they'll see that and plan on me making the 2016 Olympics as well, and being kind of an expert there. This is a goal every gymnast wants his entire life, even as a little kid. Even to make it to the Olympics would be the most spectacular, fulfilling dream come true that I could even imagine. "If I can make this year, it will motivate me so much more Mikulak won the NCAA all-around national championship as a true fresh- man last year, but has battled a knee injury this season. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS it, and I'm feeling really confident in my gymnastics right now. I don't think I'll feel pressure, as much as just wanting to prove to myself that I can do better than I did last year. It's not just trying to beat other people. ' But I'm almost 100 percent back into in the following years to be a leader, pushing the people I know into the gym to make a push for the national team. There are a few guys on the Michigan team that are really, really talented and could make the team in the years to come. The Wolverine: What do you have to work on in order to make it this summer? Mikulak: "My main focus is hitting pommel horse. Pom- " mel horse, floor and vault are the events where I see my- self being the biggest contributor. And it's putting myself in pressure situations, so I can get the feeling of how to handle it, how to keep my mind at ease and be confident in everything I'm doing and make it as perfect as I can. I want to present it in a way that's as professional and exciting as I can." — Andy Reid MICHIGAN HITCH COVER Superior Quality! Regarded by many consumers as "the nicest hitch cover on the market." Made from chrome-plated metal — no plastic! Shiney emblem on brushed chrome background Front plate 5" wide by 3.5" tall Fits standard 2" trailer hitch receivers NC, MI & IN Residents, please add sales tax. (Item #1360) $38.95 plus $6.50 S&H P.O. BOX 2331 • DURHAM, NC 27702 THE WOLVERINE 14 THE WOLVERINE APRIL 2012 1-800-421-7751 THEWOLVERINE.COM POLL RESULTS a new poll for its readers to vote on. If you would like to vote, go to www.the- wolverine.com. The poll is located on our premium message board, The Fort. Each month, TheWolverine.com runs complishment this year: winning a Big Ten title in basketball or earn- ing a Sugar Bowl berth in football? What was the bigger team ac- Sugar Bowl — 44 percent Big Ten title — 56 percent 1,083 votes Staff of The Wolverine's consensus: Big Ten title