Michigan Welcomes Five Fantastic Freshmen

Michigan Welcomes Five Fantastic Freshmen

FloGymnastics takes a look at the Michigan Wolverines' freshman class, including Lexi Funk, Maddy Osman, Maggie O'Hara, Sam Roy, and Polina Shchennikova.

Nov 22, 2016 by Keri Monstrola
Michigan Welcomes Five Fantastic Freshmen
In this week's installment of freshman class previews, FloGymnastics takes a look at the Michigan Wolverines.

Michigan welcomes in a group of five talented freshmen who will provide a big boost to the Wolverines' youth and roster numbers this season. The large class of newcomers will make up 50 percent of the Michigan's team, along with the addition of junior transfer Paige Zaziski. These new faces will look to bring the Wolverines back to the Super Six after the squad fell short in the NCAA semifinals this past season.

The freshmen include: 
Lexi Funk: Six-time JO national qualifier, 2014 national bar champion
Maddy Osman: 2016 JO national qualifier, 2015 Nastia Cup qualifier
Maggie O'Hara: Three-time JO national qualifier, 2015 Nastia Cup qualifier
Sam Roy: Level 10 regional qualifier (2012-16)
Polina Shchennikova: Two-time U.S. National Team member 

Coach Bev Plocki on this year's freshman class 
"I am really excited about this year's class. This is a great group of girls who are a lot of fun to coach and who are all very talented. They are a competitve group with a good amount of confidence. They are learning quickly and are working on their consistency. I think we are going to get a lot of quality routines out of this class this season." 


Lexi Funk

Funk is from Aurora, Illinois, where she trained at Illinois Gymnastics Institute. She comes into Michigan as a strong all-arounder. She will add great depth on all events and look to make an impact this season in the lineup. The Wolverines could see Funk on bars or beam where she is strongest, and has the ability to see time in all lineups for th the Wolverines . 

Watch Funk's fabulous bar set from the IGI meet this past season:



Maddy Osman

Osman is from Orlando, Florida, where she was a level 10 gymnast and trained at Orlando Metro Gymnastics from 2012-16. Osman is a powerful, quick twitch athlete who brings high energy to her gymnastics, which serves her great on both vault and floor. Osman will be a strong addition to the floor lineup where she opens with a full twisting double back. Osman is working hard to be able to make the bar lineup by training a new release this preseason. Look for Osman to see a spot in the lineups early this season. 


Sam Roy

Roy is a hometown girl from Chesterfield, Michigan, where she trained at Hunts' Gymnastics Academy. She brings a great worth ethic to Michigan, and she has made solid progress on all four events this preseason. Roy is reconstructing her beam routine to be more consistent, including a new series (BHS layout), side sumi and new rudi dismount. With time and consistency, this beam routine can be a great addition to the Wolverines this season as she is a beautiful beam worker. Roy is also training a solid Yurchenko full on vault and can add depth at the event. 


Maggie O'Hara

O'Hara is a freshman from Lexington, South Carolina, where she trained at Southeastern Gymnastics. She is a well-rounded gymnast and will be a contributor for Michigan on bars and beam this season. O'Hara has the potential to make additional lineups with hard work and consistency. Her addition to the team will provide great depth and competition for lineup spots. O'Hara brings grace and beautiful lines to all of her gymnastics which will serve her well in college gymnastics. 


Polina Shchennikova

Shchennikova is from Evergreen, Colorado, where she trained at 280 Gymnastics (2015-16) and TIGAR Gymnastics (2011-15). Shchennikova comes to Michigan following shoulder surgery in May and has been getting back to strength this preseason. Expect to see great things from Shchennikova this season and for her peak at the right time to help the Wolverines. Her gymnastics features beautiful lines along with grace and elegance. Shchennikova shines on bars with high difficulty and unique transitions, including a Maloney, a Van Leeuwen, and a Pak salto. Look for her to bring a difficult routine once she is back to full strength on bars. She is training two vaults including a Yurchenko full and a full twisting Yurchenko to back pike, which is a 10.0 start value. Each day Schennikova is getting stronger and more competition ready for the Wolverines. 




Related: 
Florida Freshmen Aim to Get Gators Back on Top
LSU Tigers Add International Talent
Oklahoma Gets Incredible Boost of Talent from Freshmen Class
Bruins Add Olympic Talent and Notable Depth with Large Freshmen Class
Utah Adds Trio of Talented Freshmen
Georgia's Trio of Freshmen Looking to Boost the Gymdogs to Success
Alabama Freshmen Ready to Shine for the Crimson Tide