The Wolverine

May 2012

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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OLYMPIC SPORTS PROFILE Arbor in 2008, fifth-year senior attacker Trevor Yealy could not have imagined playing Division I lacrosse. In fact, he didn't even know if he would continue playing collegiate lacrosse at all. Four years later, the Pitts- Following his rookie campaign in Ann burgh native is helping to lead Michigan's program into a his- toric new era. "I've come a long way since my freshman year," Yealy said. "I was frustrated and not really sure what my standing was with the team. I was on the fence about coming back and playing my sophomore season. One of five captains elected to help the Wolverines navi- gate through their first season a Division I program this spring following five consecutive de- cades as a club sport, Yealy made the right choice. "It was an honor," he said "I wouldn't have guessed it in my wildest dreams. "My first three years, and even last year, I knew that there was talk of the program going var- sity, but no one knew of a real time frame. It meant the world to me to be able to stay here for another year and play lacrosse at the highest level it is offered at. space engineering major, be- ing a part of U-M's transition to the biggest stage in col- legiate lacrosse has made for some unforgettable moments, particularly the first time he stepped onto the field as a var- sity athlete. "It was surreal, absolutely sur- real," he said. "I can't really think For the 6-3, 179-pound aero- " Trevor Yealy Helps U-M Lacrosse Build Toward The Future A true sniper by nature, he led the team with 24 goals and also ranked first with 25 total points in 12 games through April 14. "My biggest strength is getting open but though they have lost 11 of their first 12 games, optimism reigns dur- ing this once-in-a-lifetime, historic campaign. "The transition has been tough at times, but it's been worth it," Yealy said. "I couldn't be more grateful to receive an opportu- nity like this. "Some guys get down about " our record or how hard practice is at times, but I really enjoy get- ting to compete every Saturday. We have so much invested in this, it is impossible to quit and throw in the towel, especially in my situation with graduation coming up. One of Yealy's major responsi- bilities as a team leader is to en- courage his teammates to share a similar outlook. "Mentoring is something I try " to do," he said. "I want to talk to my younger teammates and make sure they are still enjoying it. I try to make sure that they un- derstand that when the coaches give us a hard time, it's only be- cause they believe that we are capable of doing what is asked of us. "Leadership is a lot about keep- ing guys positive, going in the right direction and making sure we get better every week. from a freshman questioning his future to a senior providing a strong locker room presence has been far from easy. "As a leader, I have slowly of any other words to describe it. It's been an incredible privi- lege and an incredible honor that I wouldn't trade for any- thing. It was a moment I still get excited thinking about. troit scored seven of the game's final 10 goals to down the Maize and Blue 13-9 Feb. 12. In the program's first varsity win, a 14-4 victory over Mercer March 4 in Jacksonville, Fla., he found the back of the net three times. Yealy scored twice that day, but De- " 74 THE WOLVERINE MAY 2012 Yealy led the team in goals (24) and total points (25) in 12 games through April 14. and getting myself in a scoring posi- tion, gest or fastest guy on the field, so I can't run by or through people with the ball. Finding seams and putting myself in a position to receive a pass and put it in the net is a critical part of my game. Unfortunately, the Wolverines have been suffocated by their opposition, " he said. "I'm not the biggest, stron- " PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS people might write off the rest of the season and just try to make it through. I want to keep getting better until the moment that final buzzer goes off. "We're trying to build a championship — Kevin Minor " evolved as I have gotten more playing time and taken on new roles," he said. "It just kind of came with experience, but there are always things that I can still work on. I've been slowly taking on more responsibility and initia- tive throughout the years, and it has all built up to this season. "With only a month left, some Yealy can relate, his journey " culture here that is going to be set in stone, and point this program in the right direction for the future.

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