'M' gymnasts hit road over break

By Sarah Ensor

Daily Sports Writer

After compiling one of its best performances of the season at Georgia last weekend, the No. 2 Michigan women's gymnastics team will look to continue its road success as it travels across the country during spring break.

While other students will use the vacation as a time to relax on the beach, the Wolverines will spend the week facing three top-25 opponents. They begin on Saturday with a home meet against No. 20 Maryland and then will hit the road to face No. 23 Arizona in Tucson on March 3 and No. 4 UCLA in the Bruin Classic in Los Angeles on March 5.

In addition to the high caliber of competition, one of the most important aspects of this trip is the experience it provides. Many of the current Wolverines have never participated in an extended road trip, so it will serve both as a learning experience and as preparation for the upcoming Big Ten and NCAA championships.

"We right now are just trying to concentrate on getting some good road scores," Michigan coach Bev Plocki said. "When we go on the road for spring break, it's difficult from the standpoint that we're on the road for a week, but that's kind of what it's like for national championships, too."

This spring break trip couldn't come at a better time. The Big Ten Championships are only three weeks away, and the match-ups with Arizona and UCLA are Michigan's last road meets before postseason competition. The Wolverines will look to perfect the final details of their overall performance and will aim to familiarize themselves with life on the road.

"It's a great opportunity," sophomore Amy Kuczera said. "It gives us three more opportunities before Big Tens, regionals, and nationals come up to fix up everything and be well prepared."