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March 21, 2008

The senior spotlight is on ... Lindsey Bruck!

As one of the most consistent all-around gymnasts in the history of the Michigan Women's Gymnastics program, Lindsey Bruck has led by example both on and off the competition floor. During her sophomore and junior seasons, Lindsey scored a 39.0 or higher in the all-around in 24 of 28 appearances. While her senior year was cut tragically short by a ruptured achilles, Lindsey remained committed to the team and the sport, encouraging others in the training room, gym, and on the competition floor. Her dedication to the sport was evident in her dilligence with rehabilitation and her willingness to return for a fifth-year without an athletic scholarship. Lindsey's hard work both in and out of the gym has paid off, as she is having what might be the best year of her career. She is averaging nearly a 9.8 or higher on every event and has posted 9 all-around totals of 39.0 or higher this season!

Lindsey's poise and clean lines on all four events have earned her numerous accolades over the past four years, including two NCAA All-America citations and two Big Ten Championship titles. She is also a two-time team captain (2007, 2008). Off the floor, Lindsey is an education major and is a two-time NACGC/W Academic All-American (2006, 2007) and a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree (2005, 2006, 2007).

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 2008. Here is a look back at Lindsey's accomplishments over the past five years.

Taking a Look Back: 2004-2008

During her freshman year at Michigan, Lindsey earned a spot in the bars, beam, and floor lineups and averaged over a 9.8 on beam and floor over the course of the season. She also competed when needed on vault. In her first collegiate meet, Lindsey tied for second on beam with a 9.925, quickly establishing herself as one to watch on that event. Over the course of the season, she earned two beam titles and one floor title. Her best regular season meet was at home vs. Michigan State, where Lindsey posted a 9.8 on bars, 9.9 on beam, and 9.875 on floor en route to a career high all-around total of 39.250.

At the 2004 Big Ten Championships, she tied for second on beam and fourth on bars to earn Second Team All-Big Ten honors. At the 2004 NCAA National Championships, Lindsey tied for fourth on beam during the NCAA Team Preliminaries to earn NCAA First Team All-America honors. During the NCAA Individual Event Finals, Lindsey posted a 9.850 for sixth place. In recognition of her contribution to the team that season, Lindsey was awarded the Coaches' Award at the annual post-season banquet.

In her sophomore season, Lindsey's consistency earned her a spot in the all-around. Over the course of the season, she posted a 39.0 or higher in 13 out of 15 meets - a record for a sophomore. She also won seven event titles (four on beam, two on floor, and one on bars) and two all-around titles. Her best regular season meet was at home versus Iowa, where she earned a 9.9 on bars, beam and floor en route to a career high 39.550 in the all-around. At the 2005 Big Ten Championships, Lindsey placed second on beam and in the all-around and fourth on bars and floor to earn First Team All-Big Ten honors. At the 2005 NCAA South Central Regional, Lindsey tied for fourth on vault and in the all-around to lead the Wolverines to a team title. At the 2005 NCAA Championships, Lindsey tied for eighth place on bars in team preliminaries to earn NCAA Second Team All-America honors on that event. In recognition of her contribution to the team that season, Lindsey was awarded the team's Most Improved Gymnast award and Most Valuable Player award (with Elise and Jenny) at the annual post-season banquet.

Lindsey's junior year built upon her sophomore year's successes. She earned six event titles (three on beam, one on vault, one on bars, and one on floor) and four all-around titles during the regular season. Her best meet of the regular season was at home vs. New Hampshire, where Lindsey posted 9.9's on bars, beam and floor en route to a 39.425 all-around total. At the 2006 Big Ten Championships, Lindsey earned her first two Big Ten Championships on beam (9.9) and in the all-around (39.275) and First Team All-Big Ten honors for a second straight year. At the 2006 Northeast Regional, Lindsey tied for second on beam and placed second in the all-around to lead the Wolverines to a team title. She also was recognized as the NCAA Northeast Gymnast of the Year! At the 2006 NCAA National Championships, Lindsey posted a 39.025 in the all-around in the NCAA Team Preliminaries. Overall during the 2006 season, Lindsey posted a 39.0 or higher in 11 of 13 meets for a share of third place among juniors (with Jenny and Elise). In recognition of her contribution to the team that season, Lindsey earned her second Most Valuable Player award (with Jenny and Tatjana).

Lindsey's senior year was highly anticipated, but was cut short by a ruptured achilles in the first meet of the season. Prior to the rupture, she had earned an event title on bars and placed second on beam. Despite her injury, Lindsey remained a vocal captain in practice and during meets and was often seen giving teammates feedback before and after their routines. Her unwaivering support earned her the 10.0 Club Spirit award at the annual post-season banquet.

This year we've had the pleasure to watch Lindsey return to competition and to experience the senior season that we all wished for her back at the 2007 intrasquad. Lindsey is the only Wolverine to compete in the all-around in every meet this season, earning a 39.0 or higher in 9 meets for a share of third place among seniors (with Elise). Her signature event is the balance beam, but this season Lindsey has shined on the uneven bars and the floor exercise as well. With one meet to go in the regular season, she has earned 5 individual event titles and 4 all-around titles.

A Senior's Reflections:

Last year, we asked Lindsey to reflect on her career thus far - just in case she was unable to return for her fifth year. Recently, we asked Lindsey to review and update her responses so that she could share with you some of her fondest and funniest memories during her tenure at U-M.

What is one of your funniest memories from your collegiate career?

It is really hard to choose just one funny moment.  When you get all of the team together, we always end up having a good time and laughing a lot.  The first time we start doing board mounts after being away from them always brings on laughs.  You see everyone flying through the air in all different directions.  Scott likes to give us challenge warm-ups on bars.  I remember one day when the team members that didn’t make the challenge warm-ups were required to walk around the gym doing the chicken walk, complete with sound effects.  It was a very funny sight.   

What is your fondest memory of your collegiate career?

My fondest memory of my college career is coming back for a fifth year.  To be a part of this amazing team is an incredible opportunity and we are all pulling together so well this year.  A national ring would look great with all those Big Ten rings.   

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

I have had an amazing collegiate career and have been blessed with many accomplishments including becoming an All American, winning the all around and beam titles at Big Tens, and being named the Northeast Gymnast of the Year.  But one of my greatest accomplishments was being able to come back from an injury and get back all the skills I had before.  This has been an exciting year and the best is yet to come.

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

There isn’t enough room on this website to mention all the wonderful experiences I have had throughout the years at Michigan.  I could not have asked for a better collegiate experience.  I have had the support of wonderful coaches and I have established life-long friendships with my teammates and classmates.  The fans at Michigan are the best.  It is an amazing experience to walk into Crisler Arena with all the fans cheering for us.  My sincere thanks to all the fans for your support, dedication and friendship over the last five years.    

What advice would you give a young gymnast interested in NCAA gymnastics?

I would tell them to keep working hard and never give up on your dreams.  NCAA gymnastics has been an incredible experience that I am so lucky to have gotten.  To have the whole package of great academics, athletics and traditions is something that I am so blessed to have experienced.   

What are your plans after the 2008 postseason?

I will finish my student teaching in the spring, and I plan on coaching at several gymnastics’ camps this summer.  Hope I’ll be an assistant coach at a university next year. 

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

I would like to send a special thank you to my mom and grandpa for making it possible for me to come back this year.  They have been by my side throughout everything and I am so lucky to have their love and support.  It’s pretty amazing that I have a mom who has been to every single one of my gymnastics meets since I started competing at the age of seven.  Thank you so much for everything you two have done for me.  I love you both.

I would also like to thank all of the coaches.  You have helped me become the gymnast and also the person I am today.  You care about all of your athletes, not only in the gym but also outside of it. Thank you for always being there, for your dedication, and for helping this team get to where we are right now.

Last but not least, I wanted to say thank you to the team.  You are not only my teammates but also my sisters.  I have had so much fun hanging out and laughing with every single one of you.  You are an incredible group of girls.  Much love and success to all your future endeavors.

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