Mikulak claims fifth national title

BOSTON — Sam Mikulak’s feet hit the mat and a guttural scream followed. Winning national championships never gets old for the best American gymnast of his generation. Yet the title the 25-year-old captured Saturday felt different.

Eighteen months ago, an Achilles injury threatened to derail the two-time Olympians’ career. Back issues that popped up last week left him wary. A shaky performance in the opening round Thursday raised doubts.

Mikulak knows all too well the potential he has shown during a half-decade in the spotlight seldom turned into the results he wants on the world stage. Listen hard enough and you can hear the clock ticking on his time as the standard bearer for the U.S. men’s program.

“I really wanted this day to be a proving myself type of day,” Mikulak said after becoming the first American to win five national titles since Blaine Wilson did so from 1996-2000.

Mikulak’s total of 87.750 was more than two points higher than the 85.150 he managed Thursday, and the combined total of 172.900 was nearly five points clear of defending national champion Yul Moldauer.

“it’s a wonderful stepping stone,” Mikulak said. “It definitely feels good. I think this is the favorite one that I’ve won so far just because I feel like I’m at a different place in my confidence, in my gymnastics and being able to ride this going into world championships will definitely set me off feeling a little more confident.”