..

March 15, 2006

The senior spotlight is on ... Becca Clauson!

As one of Michigan's key event specialists, Becca Clauson is relied upon for her consistency on the balance beam and floor exercise. Whether she is executing sky high jumps and leaps on beam or powerful tumbling on floor, she always demonstrates poise under pressure. Over the past three years, her talent on both events has earned her a NCAA First Team All-America citation (Beam, 2003) and a Big Ten Individual Event Title (Floor, 2005). This year Becca has earned one floor title and has placed in the top five on either beam or floor in four of her last eight meets. Outside of the gym, Becca is a General Studies major in the College of Literature, Science & the Arts, a three-time U-M Athletic Academic Achievement Award Recepient, and a 2005 NACGC/W Academic All-American.

In anticipation of Senior Night and the upcoming postseason, we wanted to give you, the fans, an opportunity to reflect on each of the members of the Wolverine Class of 2006. Here is a look back at Becca's accomplishments over the past three years.

Taking a Look Back: 2003-2005

During her freshman year at Michigan, Becca was immediately inserted into the vault, beam, and floor lineups. In her first collegiate meet, Becca placed third on both beam and floor. Over the course of the season, she earned four vault titles and one floor title. Her best meet of the season was at Georgia, where she posted a 9.85 on vault, 9.85 on beam, and a 9.925 on floor. At the 2003 Big Ten Championships, Becca posted a 9.775 or higher on her three events as Michigan earned their 12th Big Ten Championship. At the 2003 NCAA Championships, she earned a NCAA First Team All-America citation on beam, placing 5th during the Individual Event Finals. In recognition for her contribution to the team, Becca was awarded the Coaches' Award at the 2003 Post-Season Banquet.

In her sophomore season, Becca continued to perform on vault, beam, and floor and earned a top five showing on beam in seven of 13 performances and on floor in four of 13 performances. At the 2004 Big Ten Championships, she had her best meet of the season, posting a 9.85 on vault, 9.90 on beam, and 9.90 on floor, tying for second on beam and tied for fourth on floor. Her 2004 NCAA Championships experience was highlighted by a 9.825 on floor in the NCAA Preliminaries. In recognition of her contribution to the team, Becca was awarded the Most Courageous Gymnast Award at the 2004 Post-Season Banquet.

In her junior year, Becca became a two-event specialist on beam and floor and finished the season with two floor titles. Her best meet of the season was vs. Iowa, where she posted a 9.85 on beam and a 9.925 on floor. At the 2005 Big Ten Championships, Becca tied for first on floor, earning her first Big Ten Individual Event Title, and tied for 5th overall on beam. At the 2005 NCAA Championships, she earned a 9.725 on beam and a 9.85 on floor at NCAA Preliminaries and a 9.75 on beam and a 9.90 on floor at NCAA Super Six, as Michigan placed 5th overall. In recognition of her contribution to the team, Becca was awarded her second straight Most Courageous Gymnast Award at the 2005 Post-Season Banquet.

...