University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Photo by: Alex Mowrey/Pitt Athletics
Taylor Laymon: Thank You, Pittsburgh
5/7/2018 9:34:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Thank You, Pittsburgh
Written By: Taylor Laymon
Being a native from Cleveland, Ohio and growing up in the country of North Carolina, I never imagined myself being a collegiate gymnast at the University of Pittsburgh, of all places. Though now, as my career as a gymnast comes to a close, I look back on all the experiences, opportunities, memories and relationships that I have made and wouldn't trade these for the world.
Who knew that a little two-year-old girl being put in gymnastics because she wanted to be just like her older sister, and as a strategy my parents had to get me from stop climbing the walls and bouncing on the couch, would turn into the only life I have known for practically the last twenty years.
Of course, I have gone through my fair share of difficulties and times where I thought my body wouldn't allow me to do the sport I love. Shout out to the most giving athletic trainer, Shawn, for keeping my spirits high.
I've had injuries, surgeries, mental blocks, and complete exhaustion. Thank you, Dad, for the continuous reinforcement that everything would be okay.
Coaches that consistently pushed me to reach my full potential, believe in myself, and had confidence in me, even when I didn't have any in myself. Without the constant push from my club coaches at High Point Gymnastics Academy and here at Pitt, I wouldn't have achieved the level of gymnastics that I had throughout my career. Thank you for the constant motivation and determination coach Buddy and Ryan.
The decision to be homeschooled throughout high school, to pursue a higher level of gymnastics, came with many sacrifices. I missed school field trips, football games, friendships, and time to relax and be a normal teenager most of all. Not to mention the hour and a half commute, one way, to the gym that my mom endured for several years. Thanks, mom!
Those late-night drives were sometimes filled with tears and classic mom "get it together" lectures, but nobody ever said it would be easy. Gymnastics takes commitment, strength, perseverance, and most of all, perfection. However, there was never one time I regretted any of it.
I was meant to do gymnastics. I was meant to go through all these obstacles. I was meant to be a Panther.
Making the decision to come to the University of Pittsburgh was not a simple one. Yet, I had a feeling of belonging after I got on campus and met with the team and coaches. It was as if God was telling me this is where I needed to be. As soon as I got on campus my first day of freshman year, I understood why.
My teammates quickly became my sisters and our little dorm in Sutherland Hall was our new home. My first college roommates were my teammates, Dani Hall and Maegan Hidgon, that transformed into my new family and I cannot thank them enough for being my go-to people for help with anything I ever needed.
Though this Carolina girl was not prepared for the brutal Pittsburgh winters, I have lived my entire college career by the motto "expect the unexpected", in more ways than just gymnastics. Thank you coach Sam for preparing me to overcome adversity not just with gymnastics, but in life too.
I've switched intended majors, been taken in and out of lineup spots, dealt with loss in my family and gone through several coaching changes. Nevertheless, the people at the Pitt were always there for me. Of all things, those relationships will last a lifetime.
I would not have wanted to spend the last four years with anyone else than those who have been my teammates, who became more like my family. A new era of Pitt gymnastics started this year and I am so thankful to have been a part of this record-breaking team. Thank you to our new coaching staff this past season, Sam, Ryan, and Dave, for taking the chance on us.
Through a student-athlete fellowship group at Pitt, I have been able to go on two mission trips working with children at various orphanages in Haiti. Currently, I am preparing to go on my third trip. Thank you to the student-athlete fellowship leaders, Mark and Kelly, for teaching me to see God in all things and allowing me this experience to grow and learn in my relationship with Christ and personally.
This opportunity has led me down the path to accept a position teaching special education in Chicago through the Teach for America program. Thank you to my fellowship leader, Steph, and my boyfriend, Brian, for the constant encouragement.
For all those on the journey to college gymnastics today, keep working and keep believing because anything is possible.
Thank you, Pittsburgh for the memories and allowing me to realize how great I can be.
As always, Hail to Pitt!
Taylor Laymon
Written By: Taylor Laymon
Being a native from Cleveland, Ohio and growing up in the country of North Carolina, I never imagined myself being a collegiate gymnast at the University of Pittsburgh, of all places. Though now, as my career as a gymnast comes to a close, I look back on all the experiences, opportunities, memories and relationships that I have made and wouldn't trade these for the world.
Who knew that a little two-year-old girl being put in gymnastics because she wanted to be just like her older sister, and as a strategy my parents had to get me from stop climbing the walls and bouncing on the couch, would turn into the only life I have known for practically the last twenty years.
Of course, I have gone through my fair share of difficulties and times where I thought my body wouldn't allow me to do the sport I love. Shout out to the most giving athletic trainer, Shawn, for keeping my spirits high.
I've had injuries, surgeries, mental blocks, and complete exhaustion. Thank you, Dad, for the continuous reinforcement that everything would be okay.
Coaches that consistently pushed me to reach my full potential, believe in myself, and had confidence in me, even when I didn't have any in myself. Without the constant push from my club coaches at High Point Gymnastics Academy and here at Pitt, I wouldn't have achieved the level of gymnastics that I had throughout my career. Thank you for the constant motivation and determination coach Buddy and Ryan.
The decision to be homeschooled throughout high school, to pursue a higher level of gymnastics, came with many sacrifices. I missed school field trips, football games, friendships, and time to relax and be a normal teenager most of all. Not to mention the hour and a half commute, one way, to the gym that my mom endured for several years. Thanks, mom!
Those late-night drives were sometimes filled with tears and classic mom "get it together" lectures, but nobody ever said it would be easy. Gymnastics takes commitment, strength, perseverance, and most of all, perfection. However, there was never one time I regretted any of it.
I was meant to do gymnastics. I was meant to go through all these obstacles. I was meant to be a Panther.
Making the decision to come to the University of Pittsburgh was not a simple one. Yet, I had a feeling of belonging after I got on campus and met with the team and coaches. It was as if God was telling me this is where I needed to be. As soon as I got on campus my first day of freshman year, I understood why.
My teammates quickly became my sisters and our little dorm in Sutherland Hall was our new home. My first college roommates were my teammates, Dani Hall and Maegan Hidgon, that transformed into my new family and I cannot thank them enough for being my go-to people for help with anything I ever needed.
Though this Carolina girl was not prepared for the brutal Pittsburgh winters, I have lived my entire college career by the motto "expect the unexpected", in more ways than just gymnastics. Thank you coach Sam for preparing me to overcome adversity not just with gymnastics, but in life too.
I've switched intended majors, been taken in and out of lineup spots, dealt with loss in my family and gone through several coaching changes. Nevertheless, the people at the Pitt were always there for me. Of all things, those relationships will last a lifetime.
I would not have wanted to spend the last four years with anyone else than those who have been my teammates, who became more like my family. A new era of Pitt gymnastics started this year and I am so thankful to have been a part of this record-breaking team. Thank you to our new coaching staff this past season, Sam, Ryan, and Dave, for taking the chance on us.
Through a student-athlete fellowship group at Pitt, I have been able to go on two mission trips working with children at various orphanages in Haiti. Currently, I am preparing to go on my third trip. Thank you to the student-athlete fellowship leaders, Mark and Kelly, for teaching me to see God in all things and allowing me this experience to grow and learn in my relationship with Christ and personally.
This opportunity has led me down the path to accept a position teaching special education in Chicago through the Teach for America program. Thank you to my fellowship leader, Steph, and my boyfriend, Brian, for the constant encouragement.
For all those on the journey to college gymnastics today, keep working and keep believing because anything is possible.
Thank you, Pittsburgh for the memories and allowing me to realize how great I can be.
As always, Hail to Pitt!
Taylor Laymon
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