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December 3, 2007

Getting to know... Trish Wilson!

This year has been a memorable one for Trish Wilson. Overcoming injuries, Trish had an amazing senior season as a Level 10 gymnast. She placed first in the all-around at the 2007 Illinois State Championships and became a national champion on bars and floor at the 2007 L 10 Nationals (Senior D). In addition to her national championships, she was the runner-up in the all-around, vault, and balance beam - showcasing her strength as an all-arounder. This was not her first taste of success, however. Before her injuries, Trish was a national champion on vault, uneven bars, and floor in 2004 and a two-time national champion in the all-around (2003-2004). Her consistency on all four events speaks to her potential to become an NCAA All-American while at Michigan. Like her freshman teammates, Wilson is a Midwesterner. She is from Naperville, Illinois and was a Level 10 standout at Arena Gymnastics.

Trish shared with us what attracted her to the university, what she is looking forward to the most about the upcoming season, and some of the challenges she encountered in transitioning from high school to college.

On what attracted her to the University of Michigan...
"I have wanted to attend the University of Michigan since I was in the seventh grade. Initially, it was the amazing gymnastics team that sparked my attention, and after visiting the school, it was the academics, tradition, teammates, and coaches that really drew me in."

On some of the challenges that she has encountered thus far in adjusting to college gymnastics (training-wise)...
"Unfortunately, I came into school just recovering from mono, so I am in the process of regaining my strength and energy."

On some of the challenges that she has encountered thus far in balancing both academics and gymnastics...
"One of the challenges of balancing everything is that your down time is very limited ... I feel like I never stop moving."

Her favorite event...
"I love bars because it is so cool to watch and perform."

On what her new floor exercise routine will be like...
"My floor music has a lot of drums and consists of different beats which makes the dance fun for me to perform and the audience to watch! There are also some pretty powerful parts to the music where I will tumble and hopefully please the crowd as well!"

On whether she has a particular nickname...
"Trish, Tricia, Trishy ... anything but Patty"

On what she is looking forward to the most about the upcoming season...
"I am looking forward to competing in the collegiate atmosphere because it is so team oriented, and I cannot wait to experience success with my teammates."

On what she likes the most about college thus far ...
"I love the independence I have as a college student because it makes me feel so mature!"

On her personal goal for the upcoming season...
"I hope to contribute to the team physically by competing on every event, and mentally by offering my help and support to any of my teammates."

On the type of profession that she is interested in pursuing after graduation....
"I plan on attending medical school after graduation and pursuing a career in orthopaedic surgery because I was inspired by my orthopaedic surgeon to help people and athletes recover from injuries that they didn't think they could come back from."

To learn more about Trish, check out her athlete bio!

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