Olympic Aspiration Fuel Training for Six U-M Gymnasts
5/31/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Gymnastics
HOPING TO FULFILL A DREAM
Six Wolverine Gymnasts Face Difficult Road in Bid for U.S. Olympic Team
By Justin Toman, U-M Athletic Media Relations
| Every four years sports fans all over the world focus their attention toward the single greatest athletic event in the world: the Olympic Games. For athletes who compete in any of the 28 Olympic sports, the Games represent the pinnacle of athletic achievement. To these athletes, the Olympics aren't just a competition every four years. To them, the Olympics symbolize the culmination of years of hard work and dedication to a lifelong dream. Come August, six current and former University of Michigan male gymnasts hope to be among the more than 10,000 athletes making the trip to Athens, Greece, to fulfill their dream. Although the Olympics are only three months away, a difficult road lies ahead for Michigan sophomores Gerry Signorelli and Justin Laury, juniors Geoff Corrigan and Eddie Umphrey, and alumni Scott Vetere ('03) and Justin Toman ('02), as they attempt to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Team. All six have already cleared the first hurdle in the process by placing well enough at the USA Gymnastics National Qualifying competition (April 24) to qualify to the USA Gymnastics National Championships, which will be held June 2-5 in Nashville, Tenn. The top 14 gymnasts from the Nationals will be named to the U.S. Senior National Team and will move on to compete in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials June 24-27 in Anaheim, Calif. The top eight athletes from the Trials will then participate in a week-long training camp in July, which will determine the final six-member U.S. Olympic squad and its alternate. In a sport where the slightest wobble can mean the difference between making the trip to Athens and watching the Games on TV, this pressure-packed selection process tests the mental and physical limits of the country's finest gymnasts, leaving only six who will represent their country. Although this will be his first U.S. Nationals in the Senior division, NCAA All-American Laury downplays the pressures of competing with so much on the line. "I think the pressure will be off me because Im going to treat the Trials as experience for 2008. The underdog always has less pressure on him than the person who is expected to make it." Also participating in his first U.S. Nationals, Umphrey has a similar perspective on the stresses of competing in an Olympic year. "I compete best when I'm relaxed and having fun. I just stay confident in my abilities." Umphrey notes that it's his solid preparation for competitions that gives him this confidence. Such confidence and preparation are essential in order to do well at the USA National level. All six gymnasts agree that the competing in the collegiate season has helped them become better competitors. "The college season is tiring but it helps get experience and confidence," says Signorelli. Laury adds to this sentiment by saying, "It's good to know that I've competed these routines all year long, but USA Nationals are on a different level than collegiate meets. It's all about breaking that barrier and making a name for yourself." In order to compete at a higher level, the Wolverines have stepped up their training. "I'm trying to perfect every skill and detail so that I have minimum deductions," says Vetere, a former U.S. National Team. Fellow graduate and former National Team member Toman agrees, stating, "You really have to step up your training by paying attention to the smallest details and prepare yourself mentally for how it's going to feel to compete with a chance at the Olympics on the line." Both Toman and Vetere were in the running for the 2000 Olympics and are competing as specialist on four events this time around. U-M head coach Kurt Golder echoes these feelings. "I would like to see these guys strive for perfection and to be in good physical condition, well rested and healthy come time for them to compete." And Golder should know a thing or two about the U.S. Nationals. He's had at least one athlete qualify to the National Team every year since 1998. "I just try to put faith in my training and limit distractions," junior Geoff Corrigan says of his preparation for the upcoming meets. Corrigan competed at last year's U.S. Nationals and plans on using that experience heading into this year. "I know what I can push through and what I need to be careful with," he notes, adding that what gets him through those tough practices is the knowledge that he has a chance at making the National Team. Reaching that goal is motivation to maintain such a high level of training. Signorelli's drive comes from wanting to do his best with no regrets. "Unless you go out and give it your all and be as prepared as you can be, you will never know what you could have really done." Overcoming challenges, whether they be injuries or the daily struggles in practice, is an intangible that can make the difference between having a peak performance or folding under pressure. In gymnastics, staying healthy is half the battle. "My biggest challenge is definitely staying healthy. I have to make sure I train smart, eat well and get enough rest in order to perform my best," notes Vetere. Corrigan and Toman concur, as all three have struggled with shoulder and knee problem in the past but have learned how to manage their body's health better as a result. For Laury, his own perfectionism is perhaps his biggest obstacle. "Every day I try to do more than what initially seems possible for me. I go into every practice expecting nothing less than perfection" says Laury. He admits that his approach can bring with it a certain degree of frustration but remains confident that it will eventually pay off at the U.S. Nationals. With six gymnasts slated to compete at the Nationals, the Michigan program is certainly making its mark on the USA Gymnastics scene. "Having so many athletes training with the same goal in mind is excellent. The atmosphere is very conducive to positive preparation for the U.S. Nationals," says assistant coach Mike Burns of the attitude in the gym. Although each athlete takes a slightly different approach to his training and the upcoming competition, all six share the goal of making the U.S. National Team and ultimately want a shot at qualifying for the Olympic Team. And what if that goal is accomplished and you're one of the few to wear the red, white and blue "If I make it and get my USA uniform," Laury says with a laugh, "I'm going to wear it around campus the whole summer."
Related Links USA Gymnastics | Signorelli Umphrey Laury Qualifying Procedures Step 1 -- National Qualifier (April 24, Colorado Springs, Colo.) The top 18 gymnasts from this competition (and approved petitions) qualify to the 2004 USA Gymnastics National Championships. Step 2 -- USA Gymnastics National Championships (June 2-5, Nashville, Tenn.) The top 36 gymnasts in the country will compete for a spot on the Men's Senior National Team. The top 14 make the Senior National Team and qualify to the Olympic Trials. Step 3 -- U.S. Olympic Trials (June 24-27, Anaheim, Calif.) The newly crowned members of the National Team compete for the seven spots on the 2004 U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Team. Step 4 -- Olympic Team Training Camp (July 6-11 Colorado Springs, Colo.) The seven gymnasts chosen from the Olympic Trials will take part in a week-long training camp where the final team six-member team and alternate will be determined. Step 5 -- Olympic Games (Aug. 13-29, Athens, Greece) Corrigan Vetere Toman |
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