Michigan
Georgia
Weekly Release #6: vs. Georgia
2/8/2000 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Upcoming Schedule
Meet #6:Â No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 3 Georgia
Friday, Feb. 11, 7 p.m., Crisler Arena, Ann Arbor, Mich.
Series:Â Georgia leads 9-0
Meet #7:Â No. 2 Michigan at No. 3 Georgia
Saturday, Feb. 19, 7 p.m., Stegemen Coliseum, Athens, Ga.
Series:Â Georgia leads 9-0
Michigan and Georgia at It Again
The Wolverines and Bulldogs, who battled down to the wire at the 1999 NCAA Championships before Georgia edged the runner-up Wolverines for the national title, renew their series for the second time this season. At the Super Six Challenge (Jan. 8), Michigan led Georgia throughout the meet before the Wolverines struggled to a 48.075 on the balance beam in the last rotation and Georgia managed another tight victory (195.400-194.925) over the Maize and Blue. It was Georgia's second straight tight win over Michigan as the two teams came down to the final rotation at the 1999 NCAA Championships as well before Georgia hung on for a 196.850-196.550 victory.
About Georgia ...
Georgia is 10-1 (4-1 SEC) and ranked No. 3 in the nation ... Georgia defeated Michigan 195.400-194.925 in their only meeting this year, at the Super Six Challenge (Jan. 8) ... Georgia's only loss came to Alabama (195.750-195.400) at the Super Six Challenge (Jan. 8) ... Georgia's best team score this season is 196.375 and came in its win over Louisiana State (Jan. 23) ... Through Feb. 1, Georgia is No. 1 in the nation on the vault with an average of 49.175 ... Junior Kristi Lichey is the second-ranked all-around gymnast in the country with an all-around average of 39.538 ... Georgia on the Internet: www.georgiadogs.com.
Michigan Reclaims State of Michigan Classic Title
Michigan won its fourth consecutive meet with a victory at the State of Michigan Classic (Feb. 6) in Kalamazoo, Mich. The Wolverines, who finished runner-up to Central Michigan in 1999, garnered first place with a team score of 196.425. Michigan State finished runner-up (194.325). For the third straight meet, the Wolverines won all four events on their way to victory. Michigan continued its strong showing on the balance beam with a meet-best 49.275, while also providing strong routines on the vault (49.150) and floor exercise (49.125). The Wolverines had four members of their lineup place among the top five in all four events as well as a Michigan athlete placing first in each of the four events.
Senior Flexes Muscle on the Floor
Wolverine junior Karina Senior (Markham, Ontario/Milliken Mills HS) has become a Michigan mainstay on the floor exercise, winning that event for four consecutive meets. Senior scored a 9.900 at the State of Michigan Classic (Feb. 6), her third straight floor exercise routine to garner a 9.900 or higher, to win her fourth floor event in five meets this season. Senior, one of two Michigan athletes to compete in the all-around in 2000, now has Michigan's top seasonal average on the floor exercise (9.875).
Wolverines Dominate Beam Again
For the fourth straight meet Michigan registered the best team score on the balance beam as the Wolverines notched a 49.275 at the State of Michigan Classic (Feb. 6). It marked the fourth time in five meets this season, the Maize and Blue recorded a 49.000 or better on the balance beam. Going into the State of Michigan Classic the Wolverines were No. 2 in the country on the balance beam with an average of 48.925 and the Maize and Blue now sport a 48.995 average on that event. In fact Michigan's 2000 beam lineup has contributed three of the top six team balance beam scores in school history:
| 49.375 | 1998 vs. Michigan State |
| 49.350 | 1996 vs. Utah |
| 49.300 | 2000 vs. Michigan State |
| 49.300 | 2000 vs. Kentucky |
| 49.275 | 2000 at State of Michigan Classic |
| 49.275 | 1995 vs. N.C. State, Massachusetts and Penn State |
Wolverines Continue to Face Nation's Elite
Michigan's victory at the State of Michigan Classic (Feb. 6) was the first time this season the Wolverines did not face a top-25 opponent. However, Michigan goes back to battling the nation's best this week as it faces No. 3 Georgia for the second time this season. Michigan is 6-2 this season vs. top 25 teams this season, including a 4-2 mark vs. top 10 opposition. Michigan's results vs. top-25 teams in 2000:
| at Georgia #1 | L | 194.925-195.500 |
| vs. Alabama #2 | L | 194.925-195.750 |
| vs. Florida #9 | W | 194.925-193.225 |
| vs. Nebraska #6 | W | 194.925-193.325 |
| vs. UCLA #3 | W | 194.925-193.300 |
| at Minnesota #4 | W | 195.175-193.200 |
| Michigan State #21 | W | 196.750-192.850 |
| Kentucky #17 | W | 197.500-192.050 |
Cain Wins Three, Rests on the Floor
Michigan senior Sarah Cain (Grand Island, Neb./Grand Island HS) was not in the all-around lineup for the first time this season at the State of Michigan Classic (Feb. 6). Although she received a rest from the floor exercise, Cain still made the meet her own showcase as she garnered first-place finishes on the three events in which she did compete. Cain won the vault for the third time this season, matching a season-best 9.950, while also winning the balance beam with a personal season-high 9.925. Cain recorded a 9.875 on the uneven bars for her third win on that apparatus this season. Cain currently owns Michigan's top seasonal averages on the vault (9.875) and uneven bars (9.865).
Michigan Flooring Its Opponents
The Michigan floor exercise lineup, which consists of just one senior, has been the Wolverines' most consistent lineup in 2000. Michigan, which owned the top team floor exercise average in the nation (49.231) heading into the State of Michigan Classic (Feb. 6), registered a meet-best 49.125 in that event. Michigan's score of 49.125 on the floor exercise marked the fifth time in five tries this season Michigan has recorded a 49.000 or higher on the floor. It is the only event in which Michigan has accomplished that feat.
Consistent Freshman
Freshman Janessa Grieco (Mahopac, N.Y./Carmel HS) has been one of Michigan's most consistent performers through the first five meets of the season. Grieco is the only Wolverine to place among the top five on the floor exercise in all five meets this season after placing second (9.850) at the State of Michigan Classic (Feb. 6). Grieco scored a 9.900 on the floor exercise in the first routine of her collegiate career at the Super Six Challenge (Jan. 8) and has not looked back since. In fact, Grieco owns the second best seasonal average on the floor exercise (9.870).
Michigan Looks for First Win Over Georgia
The Wolverines face Georgia for the 10th time on Friday, Feb. 11 (7 p.m.) at Crisler Arena and the Maize and Blue will be looking for its first win over the Bulldogs.
• Michigan Series vs. Georgia
| Year | W/L | Score | Site |
| 2000 | L | 194.925-195.400 | A |
| 1999 | L | 195.400-197.800 | H |
| 1999 | L | 196.375-197.200 | A |
| 1998 | L | 196.250-196.950 | H |
| 1998 | L | 194.150-196.950 | A |
| 1997 | L | 196.225-198.475 | A |
| 1996 | L | 196.450-196.850 | H |
| 1995 | L | 196.450-197.300 | A |
| 1992 | L | 189.300-196.000 | A |
Plocki Earns 200th Win
Michigan head coach Bev Plocki, now in her 11th season at the helm of Michigan women's gymnastics, earned her 200th career win as the Wolverines went 4-0 over the weekend at the State of Michigan Classic (Feb. 6). Plocki inherited a Michigan program which had more than 15 wins in a season only once in its first 14 years of existence dating back to 1976. Since Plocki took over in 1990, the Wolverines have averaged more than 19 wins a season and have 20 wins or more on six occasions under her direction.
Cain Moving Up the Charts
Sarah Cain's eight All-America citations ties her for third on Michigan's all-time list with Heather Kabnick (1995-98). Wendy Marshall (1993-96) is second on the list with 10 All-America honors, while Beth Wymer (1992-95) heads the list with 14 All-America honors earned.
Tri-Captains
The 2000 University of Michigan women's gymnastics team has tri-captains leading the squad. Senior Sarah Cain is joined by juniors Bridget Knaeble and Brianne Fuller (W. Bowdoin, Maine/Mount Ararat HS). Cain was a tri-captain in 1999 as a junior as well.
GymInfo Top 25 (2/1/2000)
RANK, TEAM AVERAGE 1. Alabama 196.290 2. MICHIGAN 196.088 3. Georgia 195.975 4. Utah 195.683 5. UCLA 195.525 6. Nebraska 194.731 7. Louisiana State 194.644 8. Penn State 194.350 9. Stanford 194.200 10. Iowa State 193.867 11. Denver 193.788 12. Minnesota 193.363 13. Washington 193.258 14. North Carolina State 193.238 15. Oklahoma 193.175 16. New Hampshire 193.119 17. West Virginia 193.117 18. Arizona State 193.094 19. Ball State 193.044 20. Brigham Young 193.008 21. Florida 192.944 22. Towson 192.925 23. Maryland 192.920 24. Cal State-Fullerton 192.875 25. Auburn 192.863
Tracking Michigan in the Rankings
Preseason 7th Jan. 11 3rd Jan. 18 6th Jan. 25 3rd Feb. 1 2nd
Players Mentioned
