Gymnasts ring up academic accolades

This year, the Michigan men's gymnastics team had its eyes set on a much larger picture then just the pommel horse, rings and floor exercises. The Wolverines strived for and achieved academic excellence as well.

Along with placing sixth in the Big Ten and fifth at the NCAA East Regional, the Wolverines finished seventh in the National Academic Top 20 gymnastics team listing, maintaining a team grade point average of 3.130 during the 1998 season.

Mike Burns, the assistant men's gymnastics coach, understands the difficulty of maintaining high grades while participating in a sport. The team has set up a student-athlete program that helps the gymnasts with their schoolwork. The gymnasts also can go to a study table four nights a week and tutoring if they wish.

"They always provide us with a time and place to study," sophomore gymnast Ethan Johnson said.

WARREN ZINN/Daily Jose "Lalo" Haro helped his team excel outside the gym, too. The Wolverines came in seventh in the National Academic Top 20 listing. Two gymnasts were recognized individually, as well.

Burns credits the team's academic success to these programs.

"We stress the point that the first semester is important," Burns said. "If you don't do well you can get into a hole. You need to get on the fast track or you will get lost in the shuffle.

"The students can participate in gymnastics while they are here, but they need good grades for their careers."

In addition to the team honor, two individuals also received academic recognition. Johnson, an economics major, and freshman Kevin Roulston, an engineering student, were honored as 1998 all-America scholar-athletes by the College Gymnastics Association. It was Johnson's second year receiving the award.

Johnson and Roulston were among 49 student-athletes in the country who maintained at least a 3.5 grade point average and a 8.5 NCAA scoring average - an average of one away and two home scores - during the season.

Both were selected as Michigan Athletic Academic Achievement honorees as well. Johnson also earned academic all-Big Ten honors, while Roulston was selected as the Big Ten Freshman of the Year.

Johnson said the goals the Wolverines set helped them receive these honors.

"One of the goals for this year was a 3.0 grade point average," said Johnson. "We push ourselves not only in the gym but to reach that goal as well."

Burns also said it "comes down to the students we recruit." He recognizes the difficulty of the University and the personal strength and drive any student-athlete needs to be successful here.

"Any athlete wants to have character along with a strong work ethic," Johnson said.

Burns said the men's gymnastics team produces strong scholar athletes every year. It has set even higher goals for the years to come.

"We want to do even better next year," said Johnson. "In our sport, every time you reach a peak you can just continue to try to do better."

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