University of Michigan Men’s Gymnastics: Chasing Glory at the 2025 NCAA Championships
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Can the prestigious University of Michigan men’s gymnastics team reclaim its position at the pinnacle of collegiate gymnastics? The No. 2-ranked Wolverines (12-3, 3-1) are set to host the 2025 NCAA Championships at the iconic Crisler Center on April 18-19, 2025, marking an exhilarating quest for their first NCAA title since 2014. Fans can catch the action with the Wolverines competing in the second qualifying session on Friday at 7 p.m., and if successful, they will advance to the highly anticipated team finals on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
Streaming and Viewing Information
Both qualifying sessions will be available for streaming on ESPN+, with Saturday’s finals airing live on ESPN2. This is an event you won’t want to miss!
The Path to Victory
Saturday will see fierce competition as Michigan battles against top-tier teams, including No. 3 Stanford, No. 6 Illinois, No. 7 Ohio State, No. 10 Navy, and No. 11 Army. With only the top three teams from each session advancing to the finals, every routine counts.
Recent Triumphs
The Wolverines are riding high on a wave of momentum after securing their fifth consecutive and 22nd overall Big Ten title on April 5. This victory not only highlights their dominant prowess but also sets the stage for a thrilling NCAA Championship run.
Individual excellence shone through at the Big Ten finals, as:
- Fred Richard clinched the all-around title.
- Evgeny Siminiuc dazzled on the high bar.
- Paul Juda, David Wolma, and several others earned medals in various categories.
Richard, with his third consecutive all-around crown, was rightfully named Gymnast of the Championships, while Head Coach Yuan Xiao was honored with the title of Big Ten Coach of the Year. It’s a testament to the strength and skill that the Wolverines embody.
Dominance on the National Stage
The Wolverines are not just champions at the conference level; they lead the nation in parallel bars with a remarkable score of 55.625 and are a close second in high bar, trailing only Oklahoma by a mere 0.237 points. Fred Richard has made a name for himself as the NCAA leader on both parallel bars (14.375) and high bar (14.150), showcasing the exceptional talent within the team.
A Quest for Redemption
After narrowly finishing as runners-up in the last two NCAA Championships, Michigan is determined to claim its long-awaited title. In the 2024 NCAA Championships, the Wolverines secured a solid second place (419.689) behind Stanford (425.956), but this year, they aim for victory. Highlight performances included:
- Juda’s stellar routine that won the floor exercise and secured second on vault.
- Richard earning silver in the all-around and rings, while Javier Alfonso medaled third on rings.
With six Wolverines accumulating a total of 11 All-America honors, it’s clear that team strength coupled with individual brilliance will be key to their aspirations.
Michigan’s NCAA Legacy
The Last Time a Wolverine Won an NCAA Title
- All-Around: Fred Richard (2023)
- Floor Exercise: Paul Juda (2024)
- Vault: Paul Juda (2022)
- Parallel Bars: Fred Richard (2023)
- High Bar: Fred Richard (2023)
Tracking NCAA Titles by Event
Michigan’s All-Time NCAA Titles:
- All-Around: 7
- Floor Exercise: 4
- Vault: 6
- Parallel Bars: 10
- High Bar: 6
