Good things come in threes.
For Chip Hills, the father of former Wolverines gymnast Lexi Hills, that simple mantra was a way of life. Each day, he encouraged those around him to find three good things, small or big, that brought gratitude and perspective. His legacy lives on in Michigan’s women’s gymnastics program, and on Sunday, that mindset proved just how powerful it can be.
For the 17th-ranked Wolverines, Sunday’s Flip for Chip meet was proof that good things really do come in threes. It was an afternoon where the three good things — an individual masterclass, a team’s collective rise and a tribute to a lasting legacy — powered Michigan past No. 25 Nebraska and left a mark far beyond the scoreboard.
And at the center of it all was Carly Bauman.
The graduate gymnast, ranked No. 23 in uneven bars, wasted no time making a statement by delivering a near-flawless performance. Sticking an inward double front dismount, she posted a 9.950, a career high that set the tone for the Wolverines’ dominant night.
She carried that momentum into beam, where she crafted a routine as precise as it was commanding. Twirls, a back walkover into a back layout, a side aerial with pinpoint control and a rock-solid dismount secured a 9.975, another career best.
To complete her trifecta, Bauman, No. 21 in floor, stepped onto the floor and matched her personal-best 9.925. Three events, three defining performances and a team season-high total of 197.100, all spearheaded by Bauman’s brilliance.
But her success wasn’t isolated. Ten Michigan gymnasts posted career bests, turning an already impressive night into an all-out showcase of depth, resilience and collective momentum.
“When you say ‘lead by example,’ Carly’s picture is next to the definition,” Wolverines coach Bev Plocki said. “She walks the walk. She doesn’t just talk the talk. She is everything a coach would ever want. She works hard, she’s even-keeled, she doesn’t get too high or too low, and what we see in practice is what we see in competition. It impacts everyone.”
Bauman let her gymnastics do the talking, and her routine’s music added to the conversation. Performing her beam routine to “One Man Band,” Bauman became a manifestation of the song’s message, excelling as an individual while thriving as part of something bigger. Though gymnastics is built on individual routines, Michigan’s success was anything but solitary. Beginning with Bauman, each performance fed into the next and created a surge of momentum that turned a standout performance into a collectively memorable night.
“The energy was amazing,” Bauman said. “We’ve been working so hard in practice, and to see everyone go out there and do what we’ve been preparing for, it was really special.”
Beyond the scores, Flip for Chip remains a powerful tribute. Chip’s philosophy of finding three good things every day continues to inspire the Wolverines program, a reminder that greatness is measured in more than just results.
“This meet in particular, we’re hoping for something so much bigger than just our team and just Michigan,” Bauman said. “We think of three things every day, but today, it becomes even more intentional.”
The Wolverines embodied that philosophy and intentionality. One: Bauman’s dominance across three events. Two: a record-setting night for the team, with ten personal bests. Three: a performance that transcended the numbers, honoring tradition and legacy.
With the Big Ten Championships approaching, Michigan left Crisler Center with more than just another win. They left with three good things, and as one team that has no signs of slowing down.
The post 3 good things, 1 unforgettable meet for Bauman and Michigan appeared first on The Michigan Daily.