University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Panther Pause - Second Edition
10/24/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Oct. 24, 2007
PITTSBURGH - Things continue to go well in the gym as we get deeper into our fall training schedule and from the sounds of it, in the classroom as well. Our freshmen seem like they have always been a part of the team and our seniors are very focused on their goals. Everyone in between adds to the enthusiasm and realizes we have the potential to accomplish much this season. The newest team members have definitely bolstered our depth on vaulting and floor, and the coaching staff, as well as the kids, are loving all the new floor music and choreography being shown off by the entire line-up. It's great to have all of our upperclassmen back on all of their events. Beam is looking super right now - a lot of good skills and composition - the emphasis is very heavy on being aggressive & developing that beam confidence that keeps people on whatever the situation! On bars the game plan has been to upgrade some needed areas of composition and to really hit on the bar conditioning. And I must say that we are seeing good results in both areas.
The kids have been going through mid-terms and feeling a bit stressed and tired, but really come into the gym each day with the objective of getting things done. It's amazing how much stronger and fit they are - and to see the improvement in recovery time. I can't tell if the semester is going slowly or too fast - but the season will be here before we know it!
I asked the freshmen what was their biggest adjustment in coming to college. Their insightful answers follow, along with some reflections from Alix Croop, one of our veteran leaders. (Alix, who had ankle surgery midway through the summer, is looking good. Her bars have always been great, she is back better than before on beam, and she has just started doing all of her tumbling again.)
Molly Moyer: I had to adjust to everything!!! But the biggest adjustment was getting used to the different teaching methods for each different professor and learning the best way to take notes for each teaching style. At home I only had my mom to teach every subject, now I have a different professor for each class, sometimes two!! I think that has been one of my biggest adjustments.
Mallory Brewer: For me the hardest thing of adjusting to college has been having a roommate. I am an only child and have always had my own room; now I feel like I share with three "sisters", which actually is great because it makes me not feel so far away from all of my family and friends!! That and the fact that pop is not called pop here, it's soda! I still haven't gotten used to that one.
Shannon Vafiadou: The biggest adjustment to college life for me has been the conditioning (running and lifting). In club we never ran (like this) or lifted so it is taking some getting used to but I feel like it is really helping my gymnastics.
Alix Croop, Junior: "The month of October started with several leadership experiences. Jeff Janssen who wrote "The Team Captain's Leadership Manual" came to work with the rising and veteran leaders that are chosen from every sport. In meetings with Jeff, we learn a lot about dealing with team conflicts, team bonding ideas, and getting teammates motivated. In the veteran leaders meeting we did a "Mine Field Exercise" which relates in many ways to the obstacles you face in practice and competition. We took the idea into the gym, and had our whole team (including the coaches!) do the exercise, which was a great learning experience for everyone. We also had leadership meetings within our team, discussing the progress being made in the gym along with goals, and things to improve. In the gym we've been seeing so much leadership, that it's contagious. Everyone is working hard, and feeding off one another's accomplishments.
As far as gymnastics goes, everyone has been looking amazing. We are putting together routines earlier than the past two years that I've been here. Great new floor routines are coming together. We have such a variety in choreography and music, that these routines are bound to be crowd favorites. On every event we have been focusing on consistency and pressure situations to prepare us for the upcoming season. Being in the gym everyday is completely different from my past two years here. The team chemistry is amazing, the attitudes are positive, everyone is working hard. We definitely possess the qualities of a winning team this year.
Outside of the gym, we have been working hard in lifting and conditioning. The bar was raised in every aspect of our program this year, but I would say that the hardest area for everyone to adjust to was the conditioning. Despite that, everyone is looking great, and making it through workouts that would have seemed impossible in past years.
With all of the great things being accomplished right now, I'm psyched to see where we stand in 3 months when season begins! GO PITT!" -Alix
