At the University of Michigan, freshmen gymnasts are integral members of the team.  This year’s freshmen class is primed to continue this tradition. They also have some big shoes to fill, after the departure of 2009 graduating seniors, Becky Bernard, Huneth Lor, and Tatjana Thuener-Rego. But these three ladies are confident, talented, and determined to rise to the challenge.

This trio has already made a name for themselves when they placed in the top six of the all-around at the 2008 L10 JO Nationals (Senior B).  Katie placed 3rd in the all-around, and 4th on vault.  Brittnee finished 4th on bars and 5th in the all-around, while Natalie placed 2nd on vault, 3rd on floor, and 6th in the all-around.  During this past season, Brittnee was the JO National Champion (Senior D) on bars, while earning a 3rd place finish on beam and a 4th place finish in the all-around.

In anticipation of the upcoming intrasquad (Friday December 12th), we wanted to give you, the fans, an opportunity to get to know the members of the Wolverine Class of 2013.

What attracted you to the University of Michigan?

KZ: The team, coaches, academics, campus, and countless other things Michigan has to offer ‑ I loved everything about it!

BM: It is more like what didn’t attract me! The campus is beautiful, the girls and coaches are amazing and made me fit right in. The gym is absolutely unbelievable and when I walked into the apparel room with endless leos, warm‑ups and shoes, I was at a loss of words.

NB: The educational value I was going to get out of the school, all the people, and the beautiful surroundings and the facilites.

What are some of the challenges that you have encountered thus far in adjusting to college gymnastics (training-wise)?

NB: Just getting use to doing routines over and over again and some of the strength workouts we do.

BM: Training‑wise I think i’ve had the hardest time adjusting to bars. Handstands are a key in college gymnastics and they have always been the weakest part of my bar routine. So, hitting every handstand has definitely been my biggest challenge.

KZ: Training with new coaches.  I was coached by Marco my entire life and it has been so different, yet very exciting having new coaches this year.

What are some of the challenges that you have encountered thus far in balancing both academics and gymnastics?

KZ: Managing my time.  You are so busy with classes and practice it is difficult to fit in everything in one day!

BM: It is just a constant flow of school, gym and then back to school. Gym is pretty draining, so having to do a whole nights of studying after it is hard, but I have learned to keep the two in their own catagories. When I’m at gym I think about only gym and when gym is over, that is when I focus all on homework and studying!

NB: Just making sure I make enough time do study and making sure that I get enough sleep so I can do well in school as well as in practice.

What is your favorite event and why?

BM: My favorite event is bars. It has been the hardest event for me to adjust to so far, but I still just love it. Sometimes it feels like I can fly. haha!

KZ: Bars, because it is so exciting to train and compete.

NB: Vault … running towards objects is amusing to me, I guess.  haha!

Floor exercise is a crowd favorite at Crisler.  Can you share with the fans a bit about what your FX routine will be like?

NB: I don’t have it yet, but I’m hoping it will be pretty entertaining, and I hope that I will be able to
make the floor lineup so my routine can be one of the crowd favorites to0.

BM: My floor routine I think will be really fun. There is some fun dance with a tucked full‑in as my first pass and a double pike as a last pass. Help from the crowd is going to be awesome! The louder they are, the more pumped I get!

KZ: I think it is going to be a really fun routine to compete! But they will just have to come to our meets and see for themselves!

What are you looking forward to the most about the upcoming season?

KZ: Competing with the team and being a part of the Michigan traditions.

NB: Seeing what events I will make in the line ups, and also just traveling with the team and having the whole college gymnastics experience and soaking it up.

BM: I’m just looking forward to going out there and competing. The team is doing awesome and we have such a strong team this year! Its going to be exciting to go out there and show everybody what we have been working for!

Do you have a particular nickname that you’d prefer?

BM: Anything is good for me. I actually need some nicknames.

NB: Hmmm, just Nat will do.

KZ: Z, Z‑baby, KZ

What do you like the most about college thus far and why?

KZ: Being on my own and also being a part of this amazing team.  Practices are really exciting because everyone is so supportive of each other and cheering you on at every practice.

BM: Thus far, I just love gymnastics. It is just so fun and there is always so much competitiveness in the gym, and it makes it so much fun. I also like the freedom.

NB: The friends I have made, the new atmosphere, and just being on the gymnastics team.

What are your personal goals for the upcoming season?

NB: I wanna be a NCAA vault and floor champion.

BM: My personal goals are to compete all‑around and also qualify to nationals as an individual. My other goal is to get a 10 on something!

KZ: I would really like to contribute in any way I can to the team so that we can win Big Tens and make it to nationals.

What is your favorite class this term and why?

KZ: Professional writing.  I have an awesome teacher and I have learned so many useful writing techniques.

NB: SM 101. I like public speaking, and Kelli is a great teacher along with my assistant teacher
jessica and all the new friends I have made through the class.

BM: My favorite class this term is my Psychology Independent Study. It isn’t too stressful and it is very interesting. I’ve been learning about different kinds of Sports Psychology and it is actually helping me in the gym. Very convenient.

What is your favorite quote?

BM: “Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.” ‑ Christian D. Larson

NB: “I don’t run away from a challenge because I am afraid. Instead, I run toward it because the only way to escape fear is to trample it beneath your feet.”

KZ: “Make it happen.”

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