U-M at NCAA Championships: Day 2 Notes & Quotes

N O T E S

Michigan has five qualifiers for Saturday's (April 19) Individual Event Finals.

David Chan qualified for individual event finals for the second year in a row. Last year he was an All-American on vault.

After competing in only his second vault this season in as many days, Mel Santander qualified for vault finals. He earned the team's highest event score with a 16.000.

Ryan McCarthy competed on high bar for just the second time this season, earning a 14.250.

In his first meet back since the Ohio State dual meet March 22, Kent Caldwell earned U-M's highest score on the floor with a 15.150.

Thomas Kelley's tie for second place on high bar (14.900) was the best place for a U-M gymnast at the team finals.

Q U O T E S

Michigan Head Coach Kurt Golder
On the meet... "We could certainly have done a lot better. We were in a good position in the middle of the meet and even at the end. We were exceeding where I thought we were. It's deceiving when you vault early, though, because those scores are higher and you jump up. We were in the top three after five events. I knew two teams would probably pass us by because there were two that had yet to vault. Teams want to finish on their strongest event. We were on a low-scoring event and we didn't perform to our ability so it dropped us down to sixth. I'm not pleased with sixth because I think we could have gotten a trophy but it's better to be in the Super Six than on the outside looking in."

On what he said in the locker room... "I just talked about the future and some of the good stuff we had. We talked about the commitment we need and our potential. We have about 90 percent of this team returning including the redshirt freshmen. We should be really good next year. All the teams ahead of us are graduating quite a bit. We're graduating the least of anyone in the Super Six. We should do really well."

On next year... "I think a lot of people will step up next year. I think people will continue to improve. I think a bunch of our redshirt freshmen will make some noise next year, particularly redshirt freshmen Steve Crabtree and Andrew Vance. The other guys show great potential, too. Chris Cameron, Thomas Kelley and all the younger guys will improve tremendously for next year."

U-M Sophomore Mel Santander
On making vault finals... "I'm kind of surprised I made it. I did my best. I'm glad I'm in. I feel very fortunate and grateful that I'm in. It's my second time competing in it. I'm shocked."

On the team's finish... "We ended on a bad note so we were kind of down. It gives us more motivation to go on and do even better."

On being a team leader next year... "I'm going to try to be a leader. I am going to start trying to lead by helping people here and there. I am going to be more vocal and do my best."

U-M Freshman Thomas Kelley
On making finals in his first NCAAs... "I feel pretty good. We're a little disappointed as a team because we were doing really well. It's excting. We feel good because we feel confident we are going to do really well next year considering that every other team loses a lot of seniors who are big scorers. It's motivating for us to get back in the gym this summer, work really hard and get close as a team."

On tomorrow's high bar final... "I'm feeling pretty confident. I know if I hit my routine, I'll do well so I'm not nervous. I won't be nervous going up because I've got nothing to lose."

U-M Senior/Junior Co-Captain Paul Woodward
On the results from the competition... "Well, I feel like I came through when we needed it and I didn't when we needed it. I know people say 'it's not your fault, there are six guys on a team,' but it's hard when you're the captain and you show weakness at a really big meet. Some of the guys were on the bubble and it makes it harder with that kind of pressure. I'm pretty frustrated about that."

On the effect of the bye before the pommel horse rotation... "That's never helpful but everyone has to deal with it. It's nothing new."