ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The University of Michigan men's gymnastics team captured its sixth NCAA title in front of the home crowd on Friday April 11th, 2014 at Crisler Center, becoming the first U-M program to win back-to-back national championships in 44 years. The Wolverines scored 445.050 to win the meet, spearheaded by another all-around national crown from senior Sam Mikulak (Corona del Mar, Calif./Corona del Mar), who tallied 91.10 to claim the win for the second consecutive year and for the third time in his career.

Entering the team competition as the top seed, Michigan started on pommel horse in the first rotation, scoring a 75.10, its highest score of the season. Mikulak recorded a career-high score of 15.60 to lead the team, which tied for first place in the event. U-M also received strong performances by junior Nick Hunter (Canfield, Ohio/Canfield) and senior Matt Freeman (Canton, Mich./Plymouth), who both notched 14.95 scores, earning them each a spot in the individual event finals, which will be held Saturday night (April 12, 7 p.m.).

In the final event, Michigan continued a season trend by turning in a dominant performance of 76.05 on floor exercise. In the fourth position, junior Stacey Ervin (Taylor, Mich./Truman) hit his routine to tie for seventh overall in the event with a 15.30. Mikulak once again anchored the event, recording a 16.05, the top individual score of the night on floor to help seal an all-around title, as well as the team victory for the Wolverines.

Mikulak, Freeman, Hunter, Caesar, Perez-Rivera and Ervin advance to the NCAA Individual Event Finals for placing in the top 10 in their respective events. The final day of competition begins Saturday (April 12) at 7 p.m. inside Crisler Center. Tickets are still available.

Read the full article at MGoBlue.com: http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-gym/recaps/041114aab.html