Michigan
New Hampshire
U-M Scores Big for Second Straight Week, Improves to 12-0
2/28/2020 9:30:00 PM | Women's Gymnastics
» U-M tallied the second-highest score in program history six days after setting a program record.
» Natalie Wojcik and Sierra Brooks both topped 39.600 in the all-around.
» The Wolverines scored 49.425 or better on all four events.
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Crisler Center)
Score: #7 Michigan 197.900, New Hampshire 195.050
Records: U-M (12-0), New Hampshire (9-5)
Next U-M Event: Friday, March 6 -- at Oklahoma (Norman, Okla.), 7:30 p.m. CST
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 7-ranked University of Michigan women's gymnastics team remained undefeated, starting its spring break with a 197.900-195.050 victory over New Hampshire on Friday night (Feb. 28) at Crisler Center.
Outside of Crisler Center, it looked and felt like winter. However, inside it looked and felt like Spring Break. The first 1,000 fans were given Block M sunglasses and the Wolverines had an assortment of beach-themed items such as leis, pool floats and beach balls with them for the meet.
Michigan was coming off a program-record score (197.950) in the Elevate the Stage meet last Saturday in Toledo, Ohio, which helped them go undefeated in the Big Ten to win the regular-season title for a fourth straight year. That performance was difficult to top, but the Wolverines put on another show, scoring a 197.900 -- which would have been the record had it not been for last week's score.
Two U-M gymnasts put on a spectacular all-around performance as Michigan improved to 12-0 on the year. Sophomore Natalie Wojcik edged out freshman Sierra Brooks, 39.675-39.650, for the all-around win. It was Wojcik's 11th career score of 39.600 or higher to move past Sarah Cain for second most in program history. Brooks finished just .025 points behind Wojcik with a collegiate-best result. It is the first time in school history two gymnasts scored at least a 39.650.
Sophomore Abby Heiskell has been terrific for the Wolverines and set the tone from the get-go with a 9.900 on vault, Michigan's first rotation. She was matched by Brooks, who scored her third score of 9.900 or better in five meets. At the end of the rotation, freshman Gabby Wilson had a huge vault for a season-best 9.925 to take home her fourth vault title of the season.
The great start to the meet carried forward. The team put up a season-high 49.475 on uneven bars. Wojcik scored a 9.950 for a second straight week to match a career high and claim her fourth bars title of the year. Brooks matched her season best with a 9.925 to finish right behind her, while Heiskell matched her career high with a 9.875.
The balance beam rotation also looked rock solid as the Wolverines posted a 49.425 for a second straight week. Senior Lexi Funk matched a career high with a 9.925 to take the win. Brooks and Wojcik each added a 9.900 for the Wolverines.
When it came to floor exercise, the party only got bigger. Brooks posted a 9.925, Wilson had a 9.900 and Wojcik won the event with a 9.950 as U-M matched its season high with a 49.525 on the event.
The back-to-back stellar performances set up a great opportunity for the Wolverines. They will travel to Norman, Oklahoma to take on top-ranked Oklahoma on Friday (March 6) at 7:30 p.m. CST. Michigan's final regular-season meet will be Friday, March 13 at 6:30 p.m. when it will take on Ball State at Crisler Center. It also will be Senior Night, during which the Wolverines will honor their five seniors after the meet. [ Tickets ]
Players Mentioned
