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March 15, 2006

The senior spotlight is on ... Lauren Mirkovich!

As a key event specialist for the Wolverines, Lauren is relied upon for her skill on the uneven bars, her consistency on vault, and her ability to step into the lineup on floor exercise when needed. However, her signature event is bars, where she is known across the country for her clean lines and her hop half-hop full-in bar geinger release combination. Over the past four years, her talent on bars has earned her both NCAA First Team (2005) and Second Team (2003) All-America citations.

This year Lauren has earned five bars titles for the Wolverines and is currently ranked 8th in the nation on that event. Outside of the gym, Lauren is a Sports Management and Communication major in the Division of Kinesiology. 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 Lauren's accomplishments over the past four years.

Taking a Look Back: 2002-2005

At the start of her freshman year, Lauren sustained an ACL injury that prevented her from competing during the 2002 season. In contrast, her sophomore season lived up to everything Michigan fans were expecting from Lauren. She competed vault and bars consistently and was inserted in the floor lineup during the second half of the season. Over the course of the season, Lauren earned five bars titles. At the 2003 Big Ten Championships, Lauren finished third on bars and posted a career best 9.825 on floor. At the 2003 Northeast Regional, she found her way to the podium after placing first on bars with a 9.90. Lauren's best overall meet of the season was during the team preliminaries at the 2003 NCAA Championships, where she earned a 9.80 on vault, 9.825 on bars, and a 9.80 on floor, earning her a NCAA Second Team All-America citation on bars.

In her junior year, Lauren competed consistently on bars and occassionally on vault and floor. Lauren won one bars title that year, posting a 9.90 at the State of Michigan Classic. At the 2004 Big Ten Championships, Lauren tied for fourth on bars (9.90) and earned a 9.80 on vault. Her 2004 NCAA Championships experience was highlighted by a 9.85 on vault and 9.70 on bars in the preliminary session.

In her senior year, Lauren competed both vault and bars regularly for the Maize and Blue. While she only earned one bars title that year, she placed in the top three on that event nine times over the course of the season. Her best regular season event came against Iowa, where Lauren received a 9.875 on vault and a 9.925 on bars. At the 2005 Big Ten Championships, she placed second on bars with a 9.900. Similar to her sophomore season, Lauren earned a share of the 2005 NCAA South Central Regional title on bars. At the 2005 NCAA Championships, Lauren scored a 9.90 on bars in the preliminary session to earn a NCAA First Team All-America citation on that event and placed 8th at the NCAA Individual Event Finals two days later.

A Senior's Reflections:

Recently, we've asked Lauren to share with you some of her fondest memories during her tenure at U-M and her plans for the future.

What are your fondest memories from your collegiate career?

I would have to say winnning Big Tens and singing The Victors on the award stand. Also, the times we have made the NCAA Super Six and the way the team comes together and is so excited for one another that we succeeded!

What would you say is your greatest accomplishment in your collegiate career?

I would have to say my recovery from ACL surgery! I wasn't sure if I was going to make it back... also helping the team get to the NCAA Super Six team finals as well as making bar finals at Nationals.

What do you take away from your experience with UM Gymnastics?

Overall, I take away some the best memories and experiences thus far in my life. The overall experience has helped me grow and learn so much about myself as well as working with others. I wouldn't have wanted it to be any other way!!!!

What are your plans after the 2006 postseason?

I am applying for jobs in the New York area!!! I would like to work in sports marketing, possibly for a company called Octagon.

Lauren's message to her family, friends, teammates, and fans:

Throughout my 5 years at Michigan, I have experienced great support from the fans, parents, coaches and wonderful teammates year in and year out. There hasn't been one meet where I haven't felt such great support from the Michigan Family. Most importantly, I would like to thank my family. First, for supporting me in my decision to move across the country. They never once have complained about me being so far away. Secondly, I want to thank them for making it to so many meets, for I can imagine how hard that must have been and is on them to fly from California. Third, my parents have given me such love and support throughout this entire journey. Words cannot express the gratitude I have for my family's support throughout my career. I couldn't have made it this far without them

Also, I would like to thank all the fans for always being there every meet, supporting the team and myself. It is because of the fans that we have such a big Michigan family and such success. A huge thanks to the Boosters, the Gymfantry, K-grams, alums, and all the parents. Also a very
big thanks to Don Shepherd for his constant generosity and support of Michigan athletics. I hope I am not leaving anyone out, so I would like to thank everyone who is a part of the Michigan family. You all have made my 5 years at Michigan the best experience of my life.

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