University of Minnesota Athletics
Freshman Spotlight: Michael Harris
10/20/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Gymnastics
Oct. 20, 2015
Gophersports.com caught up with Gopher gymnast freshman, West Allis, Wis. native, Michael Harris about what he's most looking forward to this coming season both on and off the competition floor.
How did you get into gymnastics?
My mom put my sister and I in gymnastics through the recreation department. I ended up loving it, so we transferred to Swiss Turners.
Did you play any other sports growing up?
Growing up, I played soccer and basketball in my grade school.
Why did you choose the University of Minnesota?
After visiting campus and getting to to know the team, I knew that the University of Minnesota would be a great fit for me.
My mom put my sister and I in gymnastics through the recreation department. I ended up loving it, so we transferred to Swiss Turners.
Did you play any other sports growing up?
Growing up, I played soccer and basketball in my grade school.
Why did you choose the University of Minnesota?
After visiting campus and getting to to know the team, I knew that the University of Minnesota would be a great fit for me.
Have you chosen a major or leaning towards a specific area of study?
I am leaning towards Business Marketing Education.
I am leaning towards Business Marketing Education.
What do you like to do in your free time when you're not training in the gym?
When I'm not in the gym, I am probably hanging out with friends, playing other sports or watching Netflix.
When I'm not in the gym, I am probably hanging out with friends, playing other sports or watching Netflix.
What are you most looking forward to as a UMN gymnast?
I am really looking forward to competing and getting to know the team a lot better.
I am really looking forward to competing and getting to know the team a lot better.
Who was your athletic role model growing up?
I always saw my coaches as athletic role models. Knowing that both of my coaches [Andrei Kan and Alex Belanovski] were in the Olympics, that was always the coolest thing to me growing up and I wanted to become the best I could be for them and myself.
I always saw my coaches as athletic role models. Knowing that both of my coaches [Andrei Kan and Alex Belanovski] were in the Olympics, that was always the coolest thing to me growing up and I wanted to become the best I could be for them and myself.
What's your favorite part about gymnastics? Do you have a favorite apparatus?
I love the feeling of flying high and doing big skills. All of that reflects in my favorite event - the high bar.
What type of music most pumps you up for competition?
I like to listen to EDM and rap music before meets.
I love the feeling of flying high and doing big skills. All of that reflects in my favorite event - the high bar.
What type of music most pumps you up for competition?
I like to listen to EDM and rap music before meets.
Do you have any pre-competition rituals or superstitions?
Before every meet i put my headphones on and listen to music, other than that i don't have an rituals. 
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Gymnastics
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