No. 1 Michigan to Raise NCAA Banner Against Arizona State

» Michigan will raise its 2021 national championship banner prior to the meet against Arizona State.
» The Wolverines rank inside the top five on all four events.
» U-M has seven individuals ranked in the top 15 across all four events, including four of the top five all-arounders.
» Michigan posted the best score in the nation to open the 2022 season with a 197.750

THE MEET
Saturday, Jan. 15 -- vs. Arizona State (Crisler Center), 4 p.m.
TV: B1G+ | Live Results | Live VIdeo | U-M Vaccination Policy | Tickets

PROMOTIONS
• Jan. 15: 2021 NCAA Championship Celebration, Replica 2021 NCAA National Championship Banner Giveaway (first 2,500 fans), Dollar Day Tickets and Select Concessions
• Full Promotions Schedule

• Complete Notes (PDF)

• Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Note: Effective Jan. 1, 2022, the University of Michigan has instituted a proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative-test protocol for indoor athletic events. Face masks continue to be required and must be worn during all home indoor athletic events. [ U-M Vaccination Policy ]

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 1-ranked University of Michigan women's gymnastics team (1-0) is set to host Arizona State (0-0) on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 15) at 4 p.m. at Crisler Center. The meet will be streamed live on B1G+ with Ashlee and Brittany Buhler on the call.

The Wolverines will raise their 2021 national championship banner prior to the meet against the Sun Devils with a replica banner giveaway to the first 2,500 fans. It is also Dollar Day, with $1 general admission tickets and select concession items on sale for $1.

Wolverine Bites

• After one week, Michigan ranks No. 1 nationally and sits in the top five on all four events.

• The Wolverines rank No. 1 on the vault, No. 2 on the uneven bars and floor exercise and No. 4 on floor exercise.

• Michigan's roster has four of the top five all-arounders in the country with Natalie Wojcik, Abby Heiskell and Sierra Brooks ranking first, second and third, respectively. Gabby Wilson ranks fifth nationally in the all-around.

• U-M has seven gymnasts ranked in the top 15 across all four events, with Natalie Wojcik coming in at No. 1 on both the uneven bars and the balance beam.

• In its first meet of the season against then-No. 15 Georgia, Michigan's score of 197.750 is the highest season-opening score in the history of the program, surpassing the 197.225 it scored a season ago against Ohio State. It also is the highest season-opening score in Big Ten history, topping Nebraska's 197.375 to start the 2012 season.

• The Wolverines scored a 49.300 or higher on all four events and swept the event titles against Georgia. Sophomore Reyna Guggino earned her first career event title, tying Sierra Brooks and Abby Heiskell with 9.900s on the vault, while Natalie Wojcik captured the uneven bars, balance beam and all-around titles. Gabby Wilson earned the floor victory.

• Natalie Wojcik earned her 12th career Big Ten Gymnast of the Week honor (Jan. 10) after notching three event titles against No. 15 Georgia. She becomes the all-time Michigan leader in B1G Gymnast of the Week honors, surpassing Nicole Artz, who earned the honor 11 times in her career. Wojcik ranks No. 1 nationally on the uneven bars, balance beam and in the all-around after one week of competition.

Opponent Preview

Arizona State
Michigan leads the all-time series 7-6

Michigan's last meeting against the Sun Devils came in 2009 tt the NCAA Regionals. The Wolverines have won the last six meetings between the two squads, dating back to 1999. Michigan and Arizona State have met just three times in the regular season (1983, 1988, 1994).

Arizona State will compete for the first time in the 2022 season after its first two meets were canceled due to COVID-19 protocols within the program. The Sun Devils entered the season ranked 12th in the WCGA Preseason Poll and return 15 experienced gymnasts to the 2022 roster, including sophomore All-American Hannah Scharf, who competed as an individual at the 2021 national championship within the Wolverines rotation.

ASU finished inside the top 15 last season and ranked 12th on uneven bars and 13th on vault to close out 2021.

Up Next

Monday, Jan. 24 – at Minnesota (Minneapolis, Minn.), 7 p.m. CST (TV: Big Ten Network)