University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Photo by: Alex Mowrey/Pitt Athletics
Catie Conrad: A Collegiate Career Unlike Others
4/30/2018 9:55:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
A Collegiate Career Unlike Others
Written By: Catie Conrad
Gymnastics, a simple word, yet so impactful.
My involvement in sports didn't happen by chance, my parents were involved in gymnastics growing up, so it was natural my siblings and I followed in their footsteps throughout our childhood too. Being born into the sport, I had no idea what I was getting myself into and no choice in the decision; all I knew was that every day since I was a little girl, I told my coach I was going to be a college gymnast no matter what.
Fast forward 20 years, here I am, walking through campus wondering where the past four years of my life have gone. My turbulent experience as a Division I student-athlete, has now abruptly come to an end. I will never again walk down that beam, swing on those bars, or compete in that beautiful Pitt script leotard. I'm not going to lie, it's not the best feeling in the world. On the other hand, I'm grateful I was given the opportunity to do what I love, when so many others couldn't. I had two schools take a chance on me, when many only have one.
Starting my collegiate career at Eastern Michigan University was no mistake. Although, it's hard to believe that during my four years as a college gymnast I went through five coaching staffs. In one aspect, it is almost amazing and kind of special. Very few people have been given the chance to learn from so many amazing and different coaching styles. From every coach who has come and gone, I was able to take some of their best qualities, accept their worst, and learn and grow from working with them all. For me personally, it was not easy dealing with the constant coaching changes. I would finally begin to trust their system, only to have it be broken down once again. But it led me to where I am today, and I am forever grateful. The arrival and dismissal of one coaching staff to the next meant that I was the only one who could define who I was and what I was capable of.
Not one day throughout my career was taken for granted. The constant pain, tears and hard practices were all worth it. No one knows how hard gymnasts are pushed unless you are one. This sport takes you to your lowest of lows, but brings you to your highest of highs. I would not change one single avenue of my college career. It has brought me to where I am today and I am so thankful to end my gymnastics career on the highest of highs, at the University of Pittsburgh. This past year has been a whirlwind, but definitely one for the record books. A new era of Pitt gymnastics has begun, and I can't wait to see what lies ahead for the future of this program.
With so many opportunities to come, I wanted to thank both the University of Pittsburgh and Eastern Michigan University for the last four years. This sport is about more than just putting on a leotard and saluting to that judge. It has shown me strength of family, love of teammates, perseverance in spite of obstacles, grit through determination and it has provided me with the opportunity of a lifetime. Gymnastics has given my family and I some of the greatest joys in life and looking back, I can proudly say that this little girls' dreams most definitely did come true.
This is not the end, but only the beginning. The beginning of another era. I do not know where it may lead, but I am ready for whatever challenge might lie ahead. What I have learned throughout all of this, is when certain opportunities come into your life, never stray away, but embrace the unknown and see where it may take you.
So, with that, I will leave you with this:
"Shoot for the moon, and even if you miss you'll land amongst the stars."
Hail to Pitt!
Catie Conrad
Written By: Catie Conrad
Gymnastics, a simple word, yet so impactful.
My involvement in sports didn't happen by chance, my parents were involved in gymnastics growing up, so it was natural my siblings and I followed in their footsteps throughout our childhood too. Being born into the sport, I had no idea what I was getting myself into and no choice in the decision; all I knew was that every day since I was a little girl, I told my coach I was going to be a college gymnast no matter what.
Fast forward 20 years, here I am, walking through campus wondering where the past four years of my life have gone. My turbulent experience as a Division I student-athlete, has now abruptly come to an end. I will never again walk down that beam, swing on those bars, or compete in that beautiful Pitt script leotard. I'm not going to lie, it's not the best feeling in the world. On the other hand, I'm grateful I was given the opportunity to do what I love, when so many others couldn't. I had two schools take a chance on me, when many only have one.
Starting my collegiate career at Eastern Michigan University was no mistake. Although, it's hard to believe that during my four years as a college gymnast I went through five coaching staffs. In one aspect, it is almost amazing and kind of special. Very few people have been given the chance to learn from so many amazing and different coaching styles. From every coach who has come and gone, I was able to take some of their best qualities, accept their worst, and learn and grow from working with them all. For me personally, it was not easy dealing with the constant coaching changes. I would finally begin to trust their system, only to have it be broken down once again. But it led me to where I am today, and I am forever grateful. The arrival and dismissal of one coaching staff to the next meant that I was the only one who could define who I was and what I was capable of.
Not one day throughout my career was taken for granted. The constant pain, tears and hard practices were all worth it. No one knows how hard gymnasts are pushed unless you are one. This sport takes you to your lowest of lows, but brings you to your highest of highs. I would not change one single avenue of my college career. It has brought me to where I am today and I am so thankful to end my gymnastics career on the highest of highs, at the University of Pittsburgh. This past year has been a whirlwind, but definitely one for the record books. A new era of Pitt gymnastics has begun, and I can't wait to see what lies ahead for the future of this program.
With so many opportunities to come, I wanted to thank both the University of Pittsburgh and Eastern Michigan University for the last four years. This sport is about more than just putting on a leotard and saluting to that judge. It has shown me strength of family, love of teammates, perseverance in spite of obstacles, grit through determination and it has provided me with the opportunity of a lifetime. Gymnastics has given my family and I some of the greatest joys in life and looking back, I can proudly say that this little girls' dreams most definitely did come true.
This is not the end, but only the beginning. The beginning of another era. I do not know where it may lead, but I am ready for whatever challenge might lie ahead. What I have learned throughout all of this, is when certain opportunities come into your life, never stray away, but embrace the unknown and see where it may take you.
So, with that, I will leave you with this:
"Shoot for the moon, and even if you miss you'll land amongst the stars."
Hail to Pitt!
Catie Conrad
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