FloGymnastics is starting a new series that showcases college gymnasts competing in their freshman seasons. This freshman feature highlights Natalie Wojcik from the University of Michigan.

From Douglassville, Pennsylvania, this 21st Century Cyber Charter School graduate has already made her mark on the University of Michigan after joining the team in the fall of 2018. She made school history at her first meet, where she broke a school record for the highest all-around score of any freshman debut, scoring a 39.625. She also picked up three event titles and all-around gold at her first meet with the university at the Cancun Classic this year. 

She has earned Big Ten Gymnast of the Week three times already this season, as well as gaining the title of Big Ten Freshman of the Week four times and counting. Wojcik is ranked in the top 50 nationally in all-around (10th), vault (T-46th), bars (T-17th) and beam (third). She currently holds 16 scores that are a 9.900 or higher (four on vault, five from beam, four on bars and three on floor). These high scores have gotten her up on the podium more than a few times, giving her 22 career, event and all-around victories (six on beam, six all-around, five on bars, four on vault and one on floor). 

At the Penn State meet this season, she took first on vault, beam and floor, and also placed first on all-around, scoring a 39.625. She scored the same all-around score at Maryland, once again winning the all-around title, as well as first on three events. At the Iowa meet, she tied to win bars; won all-around, beam and vault at the Alabama Quad meet; and showed up for the team’s home debut, winning all-around, bars and beam. She did not disappoint when the team competed against Nebraska, where she won bars and beam, then took second on floor. 

Wojcik is undecided on a major, but is currently enrolled in the College of Literature, Science and the Arts. Although she has not yet chosen a career path for after graduation, as a freshman, she can safely focus on her career bests in gymnastics, which are quite impressive. She got her highest vault score at the Cancun Classic, her first meet, where she scored an incredible 9.975, and many would argue she deserved a perfect 10.000. Her bars season-high was scored on Feb. 10, when she got a 9.950 against Iowa. Her beam career-high is the same, and she scored that 9.950 against Michigan State on Jan. 18. She aims to beat her floor high score, a 9.900, which she has achieved three times so far this season. She also aims to score higher than a 39.625 all-around, a mark she has achieved three times.

Wojcik stood out to FloGymnastics as a powerhouse before official season even began, and FloGym has enjoyed writing about her and the team’s accomplishments all year before getting to talk with Wojcik herself. Talking with Wojcik about what she loves about the University of Michigan, her teammates and college gymnastics gave answers that were exactly as focused and team-oriented as one would expect from this firecracker freshman. 

FloGymnastics: What is your favorite part about going to school at the University of Michigan? 

Natalie Wojcik: I love all of the academic and athletic opportunities at the University of Michigan! I have also really enjoyed learning about all of the traditions and history here at the school.

Flo: With just a few meets to go until Big Ten Championships, what is your end goal for the 2019 season, both as a team and personally?

NW: I would love to see this team win another Big Ten Championship this year. The team takes a lot of pride in that competition and it is something we have worked towards all season.

Flo: Does your team have any fun traditions or unusual things you like to do together? 

NW: We do the same cheers in the tunnel before every meet, which gets the team excited and also brings a feeling of consistency to each meet.

Flo: What is a strength of University of Michigan’s women’s gymnastics team this season? 

NW: Each member of the team has really learned to lean on each other this season. Trust and confidence in each other has been one of our biggest strengths this season.

Flo: What is your favorite event to compete and why? What is your favorite skill? 

NW: My favorite event to compete is beam because I like the challenge of focus and confidence needed on that event. My favorite skill is my front double full + front pike on floor.

Flo: What has your favorite meet or routine been so far this season? 

NW: I’ve really enjoyed every single meet so far! Each one brings new challenges and things to look forward to.

Flo: What is your favorite thing to do to relax after a difficult practice or competition?

NW: After a difficult practice or competition, I usually wind down with some recovery and treatment by using the hot/cold tubs and puffy pants at our performance center.

Flo: What has college gymnastics taught you so far about competing, being a teammate or anything else?

NW: College gymnastics has taught me to compete for something bigger than myself. It has been an honor to compete for my team and the University of Michigan.

Flo: Do you miss anything about Pennsylvania now that you’re living in Michigan? Is there anything you like better about the Midwest than where you grew up? 

NW: I really miss some Pennsylvania food like Wawa and tomato pie (which is kind of like pizza) that we would get from our local bakery at home, but I have enjoyed getting to know the ins and outs of living in the Midwest!

Flo: What is one thing you like about college gymnastics that is different than club?

NW: I love the focus on the team here at college and knowing that I am a part of something greater than myself.

Flo: You have been so close to getting that elusive 10.000 many times this season, and you could definitely get one on any event. Is that something you’d like to see happen this year, and if so, what event would you like to see that happen on? 

NW: A 10.000 is something I have always strived for in practice, and I would be happy to receive one on any event!

Flo: What is one interesting fact you’d like fans to know about you, either as a gymnast or unrelated to the sport? 

NW: I have three younger sisters, Nicole, Nadia and Noelle, who are all gymnasts too!