The Wolverine

January 2013

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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  olympic sports profile Gymnast Natalie Beilstein Is Ready To Bounce Back From Injury Uncertainty does not typically folback stronger than ever. The time spent away from the mat low a two-time All-American gymnast "I think the hardest part was just getalso added extra significance to her fiheading into her senior season, but no ting my foot to remember that it could nal season in the Maize and Blue, and amount of experience and success can move again and trying to stretch out motivated her to lunge forward at one overcome the doubt that accompanies that tendon and getting my calf muslast chance at glory in Ann Arbor. a significant injury. "It taught me to be a stronSenior Natalie Beilstein sufger athlete and a more openfered such an injury in just the minded gymnast," Beilstein said. second meet of the 2012 sea"I believe that everything hapson. After earning All-America pens for a reason and I'm just honors as both a freshman and thankful that it wasn't an injury a sophomore, winning the Big that I couldn't come back from. Ten championship in the vault Above all else, that is a good as a rookie and garnering Big thing." Ten Freshman of the Year finalAnd her return should prove ist consideration, her promising to be a good thing for both Beiljunior campaign skidded to a stein and the Michigan fans that halt in just the second meet of have been an integral part of the year after a season-ending her recuperation. Achilles injury suffered in a floor "What makes coming back routine against Minnesota in the most special are the fans," January. she said. "They supported me "It was so disappointing," Beilwhen I was injured and they are stein said. "I have never had a still supporting me now. While season-ending injury, and sitI was down I got a chance to ting on the sidelines and watchmeet a lot of the fans, especially ing my teammates was very, the parents. A lot of them have very difficult. come up to me and let me know "I had surgery three or four how nice it is to have me back. days later, it was really quick. I "It is very motivational to me started the recovery process aland makes me want to stay in most immediately." the best shape possible. It keeps While it began quickly, the remy mindset strong and it just habilitation was still long and makes me feel stronger as a perarduous — and to this day is son and as an athlete because I not fully complete. Following really want to keep everybody the surgery, her leg was placed Beilstein earned All-America honors as both a freshman and a that has supported me happy." in a cast and it was six weeks sophomore, but in January 2012 she had her junior year cut short After the long journey back, before she was able to put any by a season-ending Achilles injury. Beilstein made her return in the photo courtesy michigan athletic media relations pressure on it. Maize and Blue at the team's anAlthough the crutches are now gone cles strong so I could walk normally. nual intra-squad scrimmage. The rejuand she is back in full force for a U-M Once I got the go ahead from my docvenated Butler, Pa., native ignited the team that enters the season No. 10 in tor, things started to progress pretty crowd during U-M's exhibition matchup the nation, the lingering effects of the quickly." against bitter rival Michigan State, finsetback remain. From a mental standpoint, the healing ishing second in the floor with a 9.800 process has helped Beilstein become a in her first real competition since her Beilstein better leader both in the locker room injury. and on the mat while she adjusts to the "Being back out there with the team "To get back out there and added responsibilities of being an upfor the first time was amazing," she said. contribute to our quest to perclassman for a highly ranked squad "I was nervous, but I was glad I got to grab the Big Ten crown and that boasts only three seniors. get out there. "I wouldn't say that there is any more "To get back out there and contribute make a run in the NCAAs, pressure, but you do have to provide a to our quest to grab the Big Ten crown I can't say how much I am little more leadership, especially for the and make a run in the NCAAs, I can't looking forward to it." freshmen and even the sophomores," say how much I am looking forward to she said. "I actually enjoy being a menit. I am more than excited — I am ready. "There are still days where I get pretty tor toward the younger girls, because I I just have to keep chugging along sore, but for the most part I am fully have done this for three years. I enjoy through the season and keep positive, healed," she said. "The healing process having people look up to me, ask me which shouldn't be a problem after last takes a little bit of time, but once it does questions and learn from my experiyear." get healed I am confident it will come ences." — Kevin Minor January 2013    the wolverine  75

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