U-M Wraps Up Fall Semester with Omaha Challenge
12/8/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Dec. 8, 2015
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- With the fall semester nearly in the books, the University of Michigan baseball team has a lot to look back on. The squad ended the fall playing season with two wins over Spring Arbor University and the signing of a top recruiting class, and U-M recently wrapped up its practice season with the annual Omaha Challenge.
The Omaha Challenge, named for the prestigious and famed city in Nebraska where the College World Series is held each year, is a week-long series of competitive games and community service efforts in the local area. The competition segment of the week-long challenge is designed to give players the opportunity to compete outside of the realm of baseball while also serving as a way to build strength and conditioning, mental toughness and team chemistry.
"We are extremely excited about this group of players," said head coach Erik Bakich. "They've embraced a growth mindset from day one and have focused on improving each day, both individually and as a team. Our goals revolve around being the highest and best versions of ourselves, as students, athletes, and men, and they've spent the fall semester doing just that."
The physical portion of the Omaha Challenge included accuracy throws, tire flips, sled pushes, army crawls, a timed mile, swim relays, a high dive competition and an obstacle course. Basketball, water polo, dodgeball and football also served as team competitions.
Individual winners include junior catcher Harrison Wenson as well as freshman pitcher Jack Bredeson. The "Trader Joes" team won the team competition.
Alongside the multiple opportunities for competition came the community service facet of the challenge. Baseball players visited local schools on four different days to read to children. Additionally, the team visited Mott Children's Hospital and the Veteran's Association (VA) Hospital in Ann Arbor.
"I'm proud of these guys," said Bakich. "We're committed to acting like champions in all that we do."
The Maize and Blue will kick off its regular-season schedule in mid-February, when the Wolverines travel to Port St. Lucie, Florida, for their season-opening series against Canisius (Feb. 19-21).
