Michigan Picked First in Big Ten Preseason Coaches Poll
12/11/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
ROSEMONT, Ill. -- The defending Big Ten champion University of Michigan women's gymnastics team was picked to the No. 1 spot in the 2015 Big Ten Preseason Coaches Poll, the conference announced Thursday (Dec. 11). Additionally, sophomore Nicole Artz and freshman Brianna Brown were named to the 2015 Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch List.
The Wolverines ended the 2014 season ranked 10th in the country. Bev Plocki is in her 26th season as head coach, leading Michigan to 20 Big Ten championships (includes one regular-season title) and 20 NCAA Championships appearances.
Last year, Michigan reclaimed the Big Ten title for the first time since 2011, won the NCAA Athens Regional and qualified to the NCAA Championships, where it finished 10th overall. It will need to replace nearly half of its routines from last season following the graduation of a six-person senior class, but brings in six new freshmen to help counter those losses. With eight underclassmen, Michigan has one of the youngest rosters of any team in the country.
The 2015 GymInfo National Preseason Coaches' Poll will be released at a later date. The Wolverines have been ranked in the preseason top 10 in 16 of the last 17 years.
The Wolverines open the season against Georgia on Saturday, Jan. 10, in Athens. The meet will begin at 4 p.m. at Stegeman Coliseum.
BIG TEN WOMEN'S GYMNASTICS PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. MICHIGAN
2. Nebraska
3. Illinois
4. Ohio State
5. Minnesota
6. Penn State
7. Maryland
8. Michigan State
9. Iowa
10. Rutgers
BIG TEN WOMEN'S GYMNASTS TO WATCH LIST
Erin Buchanan, So., Illinois
Mary Jane Horth, So., Illinois
Sydney Hoerr, Sr., Iowa
Angel Metcalf, So., Iowa
Abbie Epperson, Fr., Maryland
Stephanie Giameo, Sr., Maryland
Nicole Artz, So., Michigan
Brianna Brown, Fr., Michigan
Lisa Burt, Jr., Michigan State
Alina Cartwright, Sr., Michigan State
Madeline Hanley, Jr., Minnesota
Lindsay Mable, Jr., Minnesota
Jessie DeZiel, Sr., Nebraska
Grace Williams, Fr., Nebraska
Tenille Funches, So., Ohio State
Taylor Harrison, Fr., Ohio State
Briannah Tsang, Fr., Penn State
Krystal Welsh, Sr., Penn State
April Baker, So., Rutgers
Luisa Leal, Sr., Rutgers
Communications Contact: Brad Rudner (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
