‘Old man’ Mikulak out for fifth U.S. title

If Sam Mikulak didn’t already get the message from the twinge in his back during a dismount last week, he could certainly figure it out from looking around the field at the U.S. gymnastics championships.

“I definitely feel like I’m getting older,” the four-time American champion said after practice at the new Boston Garden Wednesday.

“Just knowing everyone is younger than me,” said the 25-year-old Mikulak, a twotime Olympian who is looking at Tokyo as his last chance at a medal. “All the guys that were on the Olympic team with me, they’re all gone now.”

Although it might not have the star power of Simone Biles’ comeback after taking a twoyear sabbatical, Mikulak’s return in the men’s field has a similar effect. After winning four straight U.S. all-around titles, Mikulak was still recovering from a torn Achilles tendon and did not compete in all six events at the 2017 national championships.

That created an opening for Yul Moldauer, but also left questions about whether he only won because Mikulak was out. Moldauer, 21, is back to defend his title this week. And this time he will have to go through Mikulak.

“Sam’s back. People are healthy . ... It’s going to be fun just to see where everybody’s at,” Moldauer said. “I think it’s great that he’s pushing me, and hopefully I’m pushing him. I think it’s going to make the U.S. team stronger.”

A two-time NCAA champion at Michigan, Mikulak placed fifth in the vault and team event at the London Olympics and then came away from the Rio games with a best finish of fourth, in the horizontal bar.