Anne Maxim: U-M Gymnast Back Where She Belongs
9/26/2018 3:24:00 PM | Women's Gymnastics, Features
Anne Maxim, a sophomore on the University of Michigan women's gymnastics team, is now a third-generation U-M student, but it took a different road and sacrifice to get here.
Coming out of high school, Maxim chose to accept a scholarship and compete at Michigan State University. She made her collegiate debut doing the all-around against Bowling Green, won vault against Illinois-Chicago and scored a 9.900 on uneven bars in a meet against Penn State. However, she felt like MSU was not the place for her and decided to transfer.
Not knowing where to start looking, she went back to the school that was always a big part of her life. Growing up, her father's side of the family had strong ties to Michigan. Her grandfather, Edward Maxim, graduated in three years from the University of Michigan in 1941. Her uncle, Bruce Maxim, did his undergraduate, graduate and doctorate studies at U-M and is now a professor in the College of Engineering and Computer Science at U-M Dearborn. Her father, Chris Maxim, is a 1976 U-M graduate.
"I grew up a Michigan fan, and as a kid it was a dream school of mine," said Anne. "I always wanted to apply to Michigan to see if I could get in, but I never did. I knew that transferring might mean giving up my scholarship, so if I was going to do that I wanted to stay in state and be close to my family."
Anne was in the midst of her freshman season at Michigan State when she decided to apply to the University of Michigan. She kept her decision to herself with only her academic advisor knowing about it.
"I was on a team bus when I got the notice that I was accepted to U-M," said Anne. "I later told my parents and they were very happy for me and supportive."
After she was accepted, Anne knew she could not pass up going to school where her father, uncle and grandfather had gone. The next step was to talk to head coach Bev Plocki to see if there was an open spot on Michigan's team.
Anne had met Plocki and assistant coach Scott Sherman when she attended a U-M camp in seventh grade, so being familiar with them helped. However, her story and aspirations were what convinced Plocki to bring her on to the team.
"The thing that impressed me about her was she has high expectations for herself academically and that she wants to be challenged in gymnastics," said Plocki. "Applying and getting in here by herself showed me that she is mature and intelligent. She is appreciative to be here and is thriving in an environment where she is challenged. Every coach wants to have a kid that is committed at that level."
Anne gave up having a scholarship to become a walk-on. She made a big sacrifice to find a better fit for herself and is now enjoying her first few weeks with her new team. She thinks back to the camp she went to in seventh grade and laughs at the connections now. One of the Michigan gymnasts working the camp was Reema Zakharia, who she worked with over the summer for this year's floor exercise choreography. One of the other campers that year was Nicole Artz, who went on to become an eight-time All-American under Plocki.
Like her family before her, Anne feels at home at the University of Michigan.
"It feels so natural," said Anne. "I have so much pride in this school, and it's honestly such an honor and a privilege to be here. I can't think of a better place to be. I'm very grateful for this opportunity and I don't take any day for granted. I never expected my journey to bring me here, but it was obviously meant to happen."
Players Mentioned
