Getting Closer to the Maize and Blue Intrasquad
12/2/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Gymnastics
Getting Closer to the Maize and Blue Intrasquad
Tuesday | December 2, 2008
Senior Scott Bregman (Lawrence, Kan./Lawrence Free State) keeps the men's gymnastics team player blog rolling as he takes some time to reflect on his career at Michigan in his last season of competition. Bregman specializes on the floor exercise and vault and has served as an essential competitor in these events since his inaugural season in 2005-06. Last year, Bregman broke his ankle in competition prior to the Big Ten tournament, but head coach Kurt Golder has said "he has the potential to be an All-American and Big Ten finalist" in both floor and vault. The senior is also a three-time College Gymnastics Association Academic All-American and has twice garnered academic All-Big Ten honors.
I'm always amazed by how quickly time seems to go by. In about two weeks, we'll open our season with our Maize and Blue intrasquad at Cliff Keen Arena, and what's even weirder is that it will be my last intrasquad! I remember running out of the "tunnel" for the first time four years ago so scared that I would trip or mess it up somehow. And now, I've only got four more chances to run out and wave to the audience in Keen. For the past three years, I've represented the Blue team. This year, captained by Phil Goldberg, I will once again represent the Blue team.
Intrasquad time is always an interesting one. Firstly, the last time any of us competed was in April, and the last time we were in Keen was the middle of March ... so, we're all going to be dusting off a few cobwebs. Second, many of us will be taking new skills and combinations outside of the friendly confines of the Newt Loken Training Center for the first time, which is always an interesting test. And finally, intrasquad is the only meet of the year where we're going head-to-head with our teammates. As soon as the teams are announced, the rivalry heats up. We often joke that we can't talk to members of the other side, and last year, Thomas Kelley and I even created iron-on t-shirts that read, "What did you do today to beat Maize" We're all so competitive, but it's good-natured and fun. So don't take too much of what I say seriously. Got that, Mel
The November-to-December time is also unique because it really tests our time management skills. With only one week of school left after Thanksgiving break, many of us are facing multiple finals, papers, and exams, all the while juggling our responsibilities on the gymnastics team. But like I always say, I think it makes me a better student, and I often shudder to think what my life would be like without gymnastics. I'd have all the time in the world to procrastinate on YouTube and Facebook. At least when I'm busy I feel the pressure to stay on top of my workload.
With every week the team starts to look more and more solid. Right now, it's a numbers game -- we simply have to get in the gym and pump out routine after routine to start feeling comfortable with all of our skills. Last week, Joe Catrambone had a little clean-up surgery on his ankle, so the gym (and most likely all of campus) was noticeably quieter! Also, we finished up our intrasquad marathon with high bar and an additional go-around on the parallel bars. Both events were a little up and down, but at this time in the season, it's about what you'd expect.
Well, that's all for now. Hope to see everyone out at our intrasquad - December 13, 2008, Cliff Keen Arena, 7 pm!
Past Men's Gymnastics Blogs:Kent Caldwell(11/18/08) | Joe Catrambone(11/25/08)
Players Mentioned
