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After flying into New York 
City and then making a quick 
stop in Chicago to see his family, 
he’ll head to Seattle to start work 
Aug. 1 as a program manager for 
Microsoft.
His days as a U-M student 
ended in April when he earned a 
master’s degree in electrical engi-
neering. He earned a bachelor’s 
degree in electrical engineering 
with a minor in business in 2021.
For Wooten, 21, a two-time 
NCAA All-American gymnast 
whose father is Black and mother 
is Jewish, the Maccabiah Games 
will give him an opportunity to 
“explore the culture of Israel and 
learn about my heritage, my iden-
tity” before he returns to U-M for 
his senior year.
Besides competing in Israel, 
Team USA athletes spend time 
exploring the country as an educa-
tional experience.
Wooten is majoring in business 
administration and is a music 
minor at U-M.
The Nashville, Tenn., resident 
is an accomplished professional 
musician who plays drums and 
sings in a seven-member band 
made up of U-M students called 
Joe and the Ruckus.
“Music is a great outlet and 
stress reliever for me. It has been 
my whole life, especially now,
” 
Wooten said.
“College can be a pres-
sure-cooker between school and 
gymnastics. It seems sometimes 
you don’t have enough time and 
resources to do everything that 
needs to be done.
”

AN INSTANT CONNECTION
Gerdov and Wooten met when 
Wooten did a recruiting visit 
to U-M while Gerdov was an 
undergraduate coach.
Both said they hit it off immedi-
ately during Wooten’s visit, point-
ing specifically to a quiet conver-
sation over a meal at a Potbelly 
Sandwich Shop in Ann Arbor.
“I made four official college 
visits. I went to Illinois, Minnesota 

Adam Wooten 
is a picture of 
concentration on 
the still rings.

DENNIS KENNEDY

