Freshman Wojcik Always Up for the Next Challenge
11/13/2018 9:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics, Features
University of Michigan freshman Natalie Wojcik has always been one to look at a challenge in gymnastics and work until she overcomes it. The challenge she faces now as a member of University of Michigan women's gymnastics team is to make an impact at a program with a tradition of winning championships.
Wojcik committed to U-M just a few weeks after taking her first visit in the fall of her freshman year of high school in 2014. She received a scholarship offer on her visit and wasted no time accepting. It would be her first and last visit that fall.
"I was so excited to receive that offer," said Wojcik. I am thankful for the opportunity they gave me to come here. That was one of the best days of my life."
A native of Douglassville, Pennsylvania, Wojcik was flying high coming into college. She was crowned the all-around national champion at the Junior Olympics in May to capture the trifecta of titles at the state, regional and national level. Wojcik knows that she will need to continue her hard work at Michigan to have similar success at the collegiate level.
"The transition to college has been very smooth," said Wojcik. "Everyone is supportive and positive in the gym and it makes me excited to practice and bring that passion to the gym every day."
Wojcik spends her free time as a volunteer for Special Olympics
Wojcik knows from experience that positive results don't come easy. It is the hard work and dedication that got her to this point after all.
When she was only three years old, Natalie was watching a gymnastics meet on television with her family. She loved seeing the back handspring and thought that she would give it a try. During a commercial she pulled one of the sofa cushions on to the floor and proceeded to try. She landed on her head. Once she assured her mother she was alright, she convinced her mom to sign her up for gymnastics the next day.
She worked and worked and when she was five years old she did a back handspring for the first time.
"I remember that day," said Wojcik. "I went to an open gym and was really close to getting it by myself. I finally did it on the trampoline. When open gym was over I sprinted out of the building because I was so excited."
Over time, Wojcik improved her gymnastics skills more and more and rose to Level 10 by seventh grade. However, vault was an event she had always struggled with.
"I couldn't make it over the table in Level 5," said Wojcik. "They would put it all the way down and I still had a hard time. Even moving up through the levels I struggled but I worked really hard over the years and became a strong vaulter the second half of my Level 10 career."
Her hard work to improve her vault helped her win a national title at J.O.'s on the event in 2017 and three state vault championships. Â Â Â
A passion for the sport has kept Wojcik motivated to keep facing challenges head on and improve as a gymnast. She has passed that passion for gymnastics on to others as well as a volunteer for Special Olympics.
She started volunteering when she was eight years old because she had an uncle with special needs and a coach at her club who had a sister with special needs. She helped out with practices and was a coach at competitions.
"It was fun to see the kids step outside of their comfort zone and try something new," said Wojcik. "I was there to encourage them and offer my experience of working towards a goal."
The athletes competed two or three times a year and Wojcik loved watching them have fun competing. It was rewarding for her to see their enjoyment and smiles while competing.
Wojcik carries that fun and enjoyment with her as she takes on any challenge that comes her way in gymnastics, including starting her collegiate career at the University of Michigan. Â
Players Mentioned
