Michigan Seeks First National Championship
Michigan Seeks First National Championship
Gymnastike recently sat down with head coach, Bev Plocki along with team members Brooke Parker and Austin Sheppard.
Interview with Bev Plocki below:
How do you feel about your teams start this year?
How do you feel about your teams start this year?
I am ecstatic! We have 50% of our routines in our lineup this year that are brand new. Not just by freshman but even gymnasts who haven’t done those events before. Something we strive for here at Michigan is still continuing to teach new skills, gymnastics and continuing to learn and get better. We have an incredible facility and coaching staff that has allowed for this success. The majority of our success this season so far is because of the growth many of these gymnasts have made in their time here. For example Lindsay Williams, Sachi Sugiyama and Brooke Parker who are all upperclassman, have continued to get better and make lineups on new events. Then we have also seen an incredible start with Brianna Brown that has been an incredible boost to our team this year.
What is the biggest area of improvement needed for this team to be successful in the post season?
Definitely vaulting is the weakest event right now for us. Once we get Austin Sheppard back into the lineup that will be a big boost for us. We just do not have the depth on that event. We lost some key vaults from last season with Joanna Sampson and Natalie Beilstein. Sachi is our biggest and best vaulter right now, and then we have some good yurchenko fulls. But to be successful in the post season we need really great, awesome yurchecko fulls. Our team and athletes are working very hard to get better on vault.
What is it that Michigan gymnastics needs to win their first national championship?
Honestly, I think it is getting our athletes to truly believe in themselves 100% that they are capable of doing it. We have to be able to get the swagger that is needed to compete aggressive and confident. I think the talent level amongst the top teams are all very much the same. I think any one of five or six teams in the country could win a national championship on any given day. We at Michigan need to believe that we are one of those teams and go out there and embrace that and believe that we can do it.
What does Michigan have in place that will help you reach your first national championship?
I think we have a group of athletes that love Michigan and love and appreciate the fact that we care about them. We care about them personally and not just as athletes. They are willing to work hard and do everything that we have asked of them. Tradition never graduates and we are going to be about team culture. We are trying to instill confidence and that belief that they need. We work hard to make gymnastics a fun part of their day and not work. Allowing these athletes to have fun and feel that there is something in it for them is key to success.
Who have you seen step up for this team and give it their all to help win your first title?
I am a very big believer that every single person on our team has a role. Even when you are a top performer or someone who might be injured, you still have a role. This year Annette Miele has been sidelined with a back injury. She is one of our captains and has taken that role very seriously and has done a great job reaching out and being a role model to our team and freshmen. Brooke Parker and Sachi Sugiyama our other seniors have really stepped up as well. Sachi has found a voice this year and has been more of a vocal leader for this team and that has been important.
Anything else you would like us to know about Michigan Gymnastics?
I know I am biased, but I feel that there are only a few places in the country where you can get the Ivy League quality education and national championship caliber gymnastics program, and Michigan is the packaged deal. If you combine that with the way we treat our athletes and the way we take care of our athletes, I do not think there is a better option available.
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