On Senior Night, freshmen Jacob Moore and Cameron Bock delivered top performances, leading the Wolverines to a 417.700-366.500 win against No. 18 UIC.
After honoring the graduating team members, Michigan began the competition on floor routine. Moore — ranked third in the nation on floor — carried out a dominant performance, scoring 14.900 to nearly match his personal best. Following Moore, junior Emyre Cole performed a clean routine, sticking all five of his passes and scoring 14.350.
Following their strong show on the floor, the Wolverines wavered a little with a shaky pommel horse routine. Freshman Cameron Bock struggled with his form, but remained on the horse without falling — a remarkable feat in itself, according to coach Kurt Golder.
“It’s just pure strength and determination that he kept going,” Golder said. “And he did a real good job of recovering from it, because it was a big mistake.”
Despite those mistakes by Bock and sophomore Mack Lasker on pommel horse, Michigan maintained a 138.100-117.650 lead after the second rotation.
The seniors led the lineup on still rings. Tristian Perez-Rivera built momentum by performing two strong and stable iron crosses on his way to a score of 13.450. Dmitri Belanovski followed with a score of 13.650, and freshman James Read anchored the rings, scoring 14.300.
“He just really turned it on maybe a month ago,” Golding said of Read. “We decided to pull his redshirt, and right now I’m real glad we did that.”
Michigan continued onto vault where Cole impressed the judges with a strong Yurchenko earning a 14.500 mark.
On parallel bars, Bock delivered a confident showing with a double-pike before sticking the dismount. The judges scored Bock’s routine at 14.600. Belanovski also delivered a notable routine with a score of 13.950.
Redshirt junior Alec Krystek led the lineup on high bar. Krystek struggled to execute his routine as he fell off the bar during a straddle Tkachev. While they started with a sub-par performance, the Wolverines stayed focused as Bock finished strong with two Tkachevs in his routine and stuck a full twisting double layout dismount.
The Wolverines finished the meet ahead of the Flames. Bock was recognized for both his effort and skill by breaking the school record in parallel bars, high bar and all around. Belanovski also finished with a season best on high bar with a 9.300 on execution, and 14.350 overall.
“A little more confidence,” Belanovski said, “made it a little more safe, and focused on hitting that execution score.”
For Michigan, the theme of the meet was confidence and consistency.
Although there were a few noticeable mistakes, the Wolverines seem certain that they can iron out the kinks before the Big Ten Championship next week.
“I think we have a great chance,” Belanovski said. “And we’re ready to bring it home.”