At NCAAs with Women's Gymnastics: Friday

Friday was a day of rest with the team out of the Super Six finals. Most of the squad took advantage of the opportunity to sleep in until the cleaning crews woke them up with knocks on the door at 9:30 a.m. Once the sun was in the sky long enough, the team split up to embark on a number of activities with teammates, parents and friends.

Some, like Lindsey Bruck, went to nearby Park City, while many had lunch with their parents. One had a phone interview for a paralegal position. "I did well, I think," said candidate Clare Flannery. Senior Carol McNamara purchased Minnesota Twins baseball tickets and checked on insurance. Student assistant Lindsay Bourdon hung out with the enemy, while volunteer assistant coach Eddie Umphrey went one better and hot-tubbed with LSU gymnasts ("It went swimmingly," he said, eliciting groans from those within earshot). Manager extraordinaire Kate Karpinski took the opportunity to nap -- multiple times -- while junior Nellie Kippley visited her aunt. Junior Katie Lieberman won a stuffed dog and a purse playing skeeball at the local arcade with visiting Michigan men's gymnasts. Junior Megan Moore purchased four pairs of flips flops and, not to be outdone, freshman Jaclyn Kramer purchased four jean skirts. "They're all different shades," Jaclyn insisted afterwards. Freshmen Maureen Moody and Kelsey Knutson followed the lead of sophomores Huneth Lor and Becky Bernard and spent lots of dough at the mall. Freshman Sarah Curtis claimed to have spent a "normal" amount of money at the mall. The final credit card bill will be the judge of that.

With three reports under his belt, this scribe decided to hand over the interweb reins to English major and senior gymnast extraordinaire Clare Flannery, who was chosen by her peers to raise the MGoBlue ante. Clare's task -- to give friends and fans a view into one gymnast's Super Six day. Take it away, Flann.

Today I slept in after a late night of laughs with Ms. Shanna Duggan, fabulous former Michigan gymnast and current University of Washington assistant coach. Apparently, while asleep and missing breakfast for the third day in a row, I was nominated by my teammates to write Friday's report for MGoBlue.com. I love my team (really, I do!). After media relations director Rich Retyi told me about this great honor my teammates had bestowed upon me, I went straight back to bed and watched The Mighty Ducks on cable. After being uplifted by the movie and a earning a few Spider Solitaire wins I decided to get myself mobilized for the day. My mom and I went out and about in Salt Lake City, enjoying a nice lunch. It was such a beautiful day that we ate outside. After lunch, we went to a big outdoor mall in downtown Salt Lake City, which is where most of the team spent the day. Among the parents and people at the mall were some of the guy gymnasts who drove 25 hours to come and cheer us on, which was so nice. Thanks guys! It is important to note that Jordan Sexton got a manicure and chose the color black. I'm not sure how I feel about Jordan's color selection, but anything is better than former gymnast Jenny Deileys Trailer Park Pink, which is unacceptable at all times.

Everyone had a very successful shopping day, including me. Thanks to packing at the last minute (naturally) I managed to forget my flops at home! Ive had to wear sneakers for the past two days, which, if you know me, just doesnt fly. In order to avoid having a freak attack or walking around barefoot, I added another pairs of flops to my collection. Everyone walked away from the mall with a lot of things, and for many of us that included a free sunburn! Naturally, I was one of those people. Maybe it will turn into a tan! Ha! Not a chance.

Promptly at 6 p.m., which by Michigan Gymnastics time means 5:45 p.m., we met in the lobby to load into the Quests and drive to Super Six. One van stopped at Jamba Juice on the way to the meet, but I wasnt in that van and dont really like juice, so I didnt go there (but the people that did liked it). The rest of us arrived early enough to witness the Coca-Cola pre-meet jamboree outside Huntsman. It included sign-making, basketball and a batting cage, but the main event was the soccer competition. The intensity out there was pretty high with everyone having a great time and getting excited for the meet inside. Inside the arena the tension level was a little bit higher (just a bit) as the top six teams in the country began the battle to become national champions.

Naturally there was a lot of energy on the floor, but there was quite a bit of it in the stands as well. As the gymnasts were warming up, Swoop, the Utah Utes mascot, waded into the crowd and became quickly entranced by Megan Moore's good looks. Staring deep into Meg's eyes, Swoop slipped off the handrail and into Maureen Moodys arms. Mo shot him a death stare and he shook his tail feather to the other side of the arena. A beautiful day in Salt Lake C.

I was so into the meet that I forgot to get Dippin' Dots from the concourse. The Utah crowd was great, roaring with excitement with each hit Utah routine. The loudest roar of the meet came when the scoreboard flashed Utah in first place after two rotations. Loyal Wolverine fans were not far behind the home crowd's output when the Superfans, who made the trek out to Salt Lake to support us, began a traditional Big House wave. The Utes may try to take credit for this one, but the rest of the county understands that Michigan knows the only way to get the crowd to its feet. The Utes just werent ready for the reverse wave though. Maybe next year. All the teams did a great job during the meet and there was incredible gymnastics around the entire arena. Every team brought their "A" game, but only one team could walk away with the title. Heading into the last rotation Georgia held a slim 0.350 lead over Florida, which was all the Dawgs needed. They nailed their first vault and never looked back.

After Georgia was awarded the 2007 national title, the team drove to California Pizza Kitchen for a late dinner. Desserts were ordered (a rare treat indeed) and devoured. The team headed back to the hotel in excellent spirits. With the NCAA Championships brunch at 10 a.m., the most of the team headed to bed to get plenty of sleep for the long Saturday ahead while Clare worked on her first release for MGoBlue.com until nearly 3 a.m. in the morning, listening to terrible country songs and keeping roommate Becky Bernard awake. The editors at MGoBlue.com understand completely -- you just can't rush perfection.