Nebraska at Michigan

Recap

The Big Storyline: The Wolverines are back. They proved that the time off didn’t hurt at all, and that they’re in better shape now than before the break. With extra depth, like the return of Carly Bauman, and the ability to shuffle the bar lineup and still go 49.400 yet again—this is a team to be reckoned with. We also saw Martina Comin debut on vault for the Huskers, instantly boosting that lineup.

Implications: Michigan will jump up in the rankings after this one, and as of Tuesday’s daily results it should sit at No. 5, just ahead of Arkansas. This was an important performance for the Wolverines, proving that they kept pace with competing teams in their two weeks off. In a year when anything short of making the final four is a disappointment, sitting at No. 5 with only three meets in the books is a good sign. Only Florida, Oklahoma and LSU have put in numbers higher than this 197.650.

Records: Natalie Wojcik’s 10.0 on beam is Michigan’s first on that event since 1997.

Controversies: Judging was weird! Save for a few Michigan scores that were maybe a tenth high, it was Nebraska’s scores, especially on bars, that were befuddling. Routines we expected to see go 9.500 due to very short handstands were getting 9.775s.

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 36 Nebraska at No. 8 Michigan

Why You Should Clear Space on Your DVR: Well, it’s been a minute since we’ve seen the Wolverines! Michigan is coming out of its two-week athletic pause to a historically significant Big Ten foe. This year, Nebraska is struggling to put pieces together after the loss of many of its best gymnasts, so this isn’t likely to be a close meet. It is our first look at a rested and maybe recuperated Michigan squad that got out to a stellar start on vault and bars and had some beam and floor misses.

You Can Fast Forward, but not Through This: Despite having only two meets under her belt, Natalie Wojcik sits at No. 1 in the all around. Her high sits only behind Trinity Thomas, Lexy Ramler and Lynnzee Brown. The Wolverines as a team also held onto No. 1 on bars through the two byes. That rotation was looking postseason-ready before the break, with crisp handstands and excellent landings. If the Wolverines make it through that rotation at the level they were at before the break, we’ll know they’re in good shape.