Michigan Picked Ninth in GymInfo Preseason Poll
12/17/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan women's gymnastics team was picked No. 9 in the GymInfo Preseason Coaches Poll, earning one first-place vote Monday (Dec. 17). The Wolverines finished in a tie for 11th place in the nation in 2007 after they advanced to the program's 15th straight NCAA Championships.
Three-time defending national champion Georgia was picked No. 1 with 28 first-place votes, while Florida was picked No. 2, Utah No. 3, UCLA No. 4 and Stanford No. 5. Big Ten Conference rivals Penn State (No. 13), Ohio State (No. 20), Michigan State (No. 21) and Illinois (No. 23) rounded out the conference schools to earn preseason top-25 rankings. Minnesota and Iowa also received votes in the poll, putting all seven Big Ten women's gymnastics programs in the top-25 or receiving votes.
All but three of Michigan's opponents in 2008 are ranked or received votes in the GymInfo Preseason Poll, with three top-10 opponents and 11 in the top-25. U-M hosts five dual meets at Crisler Arena this season, beginning with a top-25 showdown against No. 14 Arkansas and No. 22 West Virginia on Friday (Jan. 11). The Wolverines also host No. 21 Michigan State (Jan. 26) and Minnesota (Feb. 16) before two of the top teams in the nation pay a visit to Ann Arbor.
National powerhouse and preseason No. 1 Georgia competes at Crisler Arena on March 7 and then preseason No. 3 Utah pays a visit to Crisler Arena on March 22 in the Wolverines' regular-season finale.
Michigan will also travel to preseason No. 7 Nebraska on Feb. 7, while visiting top-25 Penn State (Jan. 19), North Carolina State (Feb. 22) and Missouri (Nov. 29).
Michigan is also hosting the 2008 Big Ten Championships, looking to win the program's 15th title in the last 17 seasons.
The regular season kicks off at Crisler Arena on Friday, Jan. 11, with the Wolverines hosting West Virginia and Arkansas. The meet is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. start.
GymInfo Preseason Poll
Contact: Richard Retyi (734) 763-4423
