The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1014905
SEPTEMBER 2018 THE WOLVERINE 17 INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS Men's gymnastics rising fifth-year senior Alec Krystek has achieved a rare accomplishment in the world of collegiate ath- letics. He was named a team captain last season at Michigan as a redshirt junior and has been tabbed as a captain once again heading into his final campaign. With two-time captaincy on his ré- sumé, Krystek understands it's up to him to serve as a role model for his teammates and help make sure the squad accomplishes all of its goals next season. "I want to be a great leader for the team next year," he confirmed. "I want to lead our group to a championship — Big Ten is our No. 1 priority and then the NCAAs after that. "We have such a large amount of talent and great chemistry on the team, and I really think this is going to be a big year for us." Krystek doesn't just have high goals on the athletic side of things, though. The Lake Orion, Mich., native has also established a high stan- dard for himself in the classroom, having been named to the Academic All-Big Ten squad each of the past two years. The fact that he's majoring in the difficult aerospace engineer- ing field makes his achievements even more impressive. "It's very challenging at times, but it was a huge honor [to be named to the Academic All-Big Ten team]," he admitted. "I'm happy that I've been able to keep my grades up while also maintaining my gymnastics performance. "I couldn't have done it, though, without my coaches, profes- sors, friends and all the resources the school provides us with." Krystek noted that he learned from a young age how to man- age his time in a responsible manner, and that discipline has led to his academic and athletic success at Michigan. "I never procrastinate," he said with a laugh. "That's always been a strong suit of mine. I generally start work as soon as I can to get ahead in school. I feel more comfortable finishing my as- signments early, because I can put more focus on gymnastics that way. "Time management and not pro- crastinating have been my two big- gest methods for balancing school and athletics. I also go to a lot of my gymnastics friends for help with homework, because some of them take the same classes I do." Aerospace engineering isn't neces- sarily a common area for student-ath- letes to major in, but Krystek revealed what led him to pursue it. "Early in my high school career, I wanted to join the Air Force and even- tually become a commercial pilot," he recalled. "I didn't have great vision, though, which was due to a condition that is basically the equivalent of bad stigmatism. "Pilots generally need great vision — especially in the Air Force — so I began looking into other options, which led me to aerospace engineering. My mom is actually a Michigan alum and I've always wanted to go there as well. Plus, their aerospace engineering program is one of the best in the world. "I've actually had a few classes with [Michigan football fifth- year senior linebacker] Noah Furbush [who is also majoring in the field]. I've only talked to him a handful of times, but he seems like a great guy." — Austin Fox Student-Athlete Of The Month Men's Gymnastics Fifth-Year Senior Alec Krystek Krystek, an aerospace engineering major, has been named to the Academic All-Big Ten squad each of the past two years. PHOTO COURTESY MGOBLUE.COM RED BERENSON NAMED TO U.S. HOCKEY HALL OF FAME Former longtime Michigan hockey coach Red Berenson — shown here in the ceremonial puck drop prior to the Wolverines' Jan. 5 game against Notre Dame, when the rink at Yost Ice Arena was officially named after him — was announced as an inductee into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame Aug. 9. The 33-year leader of the Wolverines guided U-M to an 848-426-92 record (.654 winning percentage) during his tenure, which included the 1996 and 1998 NCAA championships. From 1991-2012, his squad never missed the NCAA Tournament, and the 22-year streak marked the longest such run in the sport's history. In addition to his coaching success, Berenson was also one of the great- est players in program history. The three-year varsity letterwinner won the team MVP award in both 1961 and 1962, while his 43 goals and nine hat tricks during his senior campaign still stand as U-M records. He went on to play 17 years in the NHL, where he totaled 261 goals and 397 assists — the most career points by a U-M alum — won a Stanley Cup and was named a six-time All-Star. Since his retirement from coaching, he continues to serve as a special advisor to U-M director of athletics Warde Manuel. Berenson is the sixth Wolverine to earn induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame, which he will officially join in a Dec. 12 ceremony in Nashville, Tenn. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL