2023 Michigan Men's Gymnastics Awards and Honors
2/27/2023 3:00:00 PM | Men's Gymnastics
• Richard Named B1G Freshman of the Year (3/28/23)
Fred Richard (Feb. 27)
Big Ten Freshman of the Week -- Freshman Fred Richard has been named Big Ten Gymnast and Freshman of the Week for his runner-up all-around finish at the USA Gymnastics Winter Cup on Friday (Feb. 24) in Louisville, Ky. Scoring a 84.602 behind only Yul Moldauer's 85.342, Richard retained his spot on the United States Senior National Team through the United States Championships later this year. He won both floor exercise (14.483) and high bar (14.962), and his score on high bar was the highest in the United States this season. He also marked a 14.450 on parallel bars to place sixth and a 13.357 on pommel horse en route to a tenth place finish. The pair of honors are Richard's fourth and fifth Big Ten accolades of the season. In NCAA rankings, he currently sits No. 1 in the country on high bar (14.65) and has the third-highest score on parallel bars (14.85). » Big Ten Release
Fred Richard (Feb. 13)
Big Ten Freshman of the Week -- Freshman Fred Richard has been named Big Ten Freshman of the Week for his trio of top-three finishes in U-M's matchup against Penn State on Saturday (Feb. 11). Richard took the top spot on high bar with a 14.50, and also placed second on vault (14.45) -- just off his season best of 14.50. He added a third-place performance on floor exercise with a season-high 14.00. The honor is Richard's third Big Ten accolade of the season, as he previously took home Freshman of the Week honors on Jan. 23 and overall conference gymnast of the week on Jan. 30. He currently ranks No. 1 in the country on high bar (14.65). He also has the third-highest score in the land on parallel bars (14.85). » Big Ten Release
Landen Blixt (Feb. 6)
Big Ten Freshman of the Week -- Landen Blixt was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week for his third-place finish on floor exercise and sixth-place finish on vault against fourth-ranked Nebraska on Saturday (Feb. 4). Blixt, who also took home the award on Jan. 9, scored a 14.30 on floor exercise and 14.25 on the table. He currently ranks No. 4 on floor exercise in the country (14.25) and No. 8 on vault (14.55). » Big Ten Release
Fred Richard (Jan. 30)
Big Ten Gymnast of the Week -- Freshman Fred Richard has been named Big Ten Gymnast of the Week for his double event title and runner-up performance in U-M's victory over Ohio State on Saturday (Jan. 28). Richard, the reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Week, won parallel bars with a 14.85, the nations second-highest score, and also took home the high bar crown with a 14.65. Additionally, he placed second on pommel horse (14.05). Richard currently ranks No. 14 in the NCAA on vault (14.500), No. 2 on parallel bars (14.475), and leads the country on high bar (14.313) while also holding the No. 2 spot in the all-around. » Big Ten Release
Fred Richard (Jan. 23)
Big Ten Freshman of the Week -- Freshman Fred Richard was named Big Ten Freshman Gymnast of the Week for his performance at the Rocky Mountain Open on Saturday (Jan. 21). Richard won the all-around competition for the first time in his career (83.200). His top score came on high bar, as he placed second with a 14.75. He also placed sixth on parallel bars with a 14.10. » Big Ten Release
Landen Blixt (Jan. 9)
Big Ten Freshman of the Week -- Landen Blixt has been named Big Ten Freshman of the Week for his performance in U-M's victories over Greenville and Simpson. In his first collegiate meet, Blixt won the all-around competition with a 80.400 score and also took the win on floor exercise with a mark of 13.80. He also placed in the top three on four events, scoring a 13.85 on pommel horse and a 14.15 on vault, and a 13.45 on still rings. » Big Ten Release
Paul Juda, Fred Richard
Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch -- Senior Paul Juda and freshman Fred Richard were named preseason gymnasts to watch by the coaches in the conference. Juda, the reigning NCAA all-around and vault champion and six-time All-American, also was named team captain for the first time in his career prior to the season. He was named CGA Regular Season MVP, Big Ten Gymnast of the Championships and Big Ten Gymnast of the Year.
Richard, the No. 2 incoming recruit in the country, is a member of the United States senior national team after placing fourth at the U.S. Championships on Aug. 20 with a score of 85.286. He also took second on high bar and third on floor exercise in only the second senior-level competition of his carer.
Michigan was selected the unanimous favorite to win the conference by its coaches for the second straight year, followed by Nebraska, Penn State, Ohio State and Illinois. » Big Ten Release
