Vides Seeks to Coordinate Academics, Gymnastics Toward Future as a Surgeon
10/19/2021 10:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics, Features
By Conor Stemme
By her own admission, University of Michigan women's gymnastics freshman Abigael Vides was not the most coordinated child, but she was determined to work on it which led to her love of gymnastics and eventually her career aspirations of being a surgeon.
"I was really clumsy, and I would run into walls and poles and literally anything, and so I needed something to work on my coordination," she said. "I was enrolled in a gymnastics class, and I ended up just really liking it."
Vides started gymnastics at 6 years old when her parents were concerned about her coordination, and they wanted something to help with that. After starting on this path, Vides had found a sport she loved. Once she discovered gymnastics, she did not slow down and really enjoyed sticking a dismount at the end of a routine. She quickly worked her way up through the skill levels until she qualified for elite.
After her elite career began, Vides was beginning to gain interest from some collegiate gymnastics programs, Michigan among them. Vides always had valued academics and was searching for a school that had the balance of both. Before her visit to Ann Arbor, she already had the knowledge that Michigan could provide that balance academically and athletically but knew little of the culture. During her visit, she saw the athletic and academic excellence, but found something even better -- a home.
"I ended up really choosing Michigan because it just felt like home from the first day that I came here," Vides said.
Michigan has become Vides' home in her first month on campus. She hails from Spring, Texas, and has had little trouble adjusting -- and is enjoying the mild weather while she can. The team is becoming her family through the many bonding opportunities in and away from the gym, including attending Michigan football games.
Vides is working hard in the gym to get ready with the team to defend the national title.
While at Michigan, Vides has set a few goals. With the team, she hopes to contribute as much as possible to the team in whatever way she can. She hopes to do this in a few different events and to be a great teammate. Academically, Vides is hoping to do a pre-med track as she prepares to be a surgeon later in life and use some of the coordination she has learned through gymnastics. Vides is looking to potentially double major as well as get some research and internship experience in the medical field.
While the season may not begin for a few months, Vides is ready for it to get started and can not wait to stick a dismount in front of the Crisler Center crowd.
"I'm looking forward to getting ready for meet season and the feeling of right before a meet," she said. "I'm really excited to see what that's going to feel like."
