In the vibrant world of gymnastics, every flip, twist, and somersault are a testament not only to individual skill but also the power of teamwork.
Within the close-knit community, teammates swiftly transform into lifelong friends, creating bonds that extend far beyond the gymnasium floor.
Junior Emily Mckie who’s been on the team since her freshman year, highlights the profound impact of the friendships forged within this club.
“The thing I enjoy most is that I’ve met new friends through the club and that I can still do gymnastics even though I’m college,” she says.
The friendships that are cultivated within the team become a crucial part of SUNY Cortland’s experience for Mckie and her fellow teammates. These bonds not only enrich their college years but also offer a support network that extends well beyond campus life.
Even newer members such as Kamryn VanEtten have a strong connection to the team. “I enjoy having something to do every week and getting to hang out with my friends,” she says.
Same with freshman Grace Rocchetta, who also pointed out that she has never been on a team that has had a close connection with one another, and she is happy that being a part of this team provides her with these deep connections she has never had on a team before.
However, with the happy memories, the journey of each gymnast is not without its challenges.
“In this club particularly, it’s challenging to stay motivated because we don’t have a lot of meets so there’s not much to work towards which takes a lot of self-motivation that I sometimes don’t have,” said Mckie.
Moreover, mental hurdles presented to gymnasts such as performance anxiety and fear, commonly referred to as “mental block,” are a popular challenge many gymnasts face throughout their career. VanEtten is one of the people who has faced these challenges.
The sport of gymnastics is one that takes a toll on your body. Rocchetta points out that being a part of gymnastics for so many years she has had many injuries some that have healed and others that are long lasting still affecting her to this day.
Despite these challenges, the determination of the team holds strong. Rather than failing from their setbacks, it pushes them to overcome these struggles by reminding themselves of the love they have for the sport and the support that the team provides them.
Thinking about what’s ahead of them and reflecting on the exciting things the club has brought them, it allows players to set more personal goals that they hope to accomplish within the time they have left.
“I learned a new floor routine and I got back a skill that I had lost which motivated me to push myself harder like that in the future,” said Mckie. “My goal is to have more motivation and to work harder at my practices.”
Making rememberable memories is what pushes VanEtten to continue to perform her best. She reflects on one of her favorite memories as being a part of the club as she often thinks about the fun times she had there.
“One of my favorite moments from being a part of the team would probably have to be when we had a competition against SUNY Brockport,” said VanEtten. “I had so much fun and got to take so many cute pictures with my friends. As a team we all went to dinner after which providing us with a lot of memories I’ll never forget.”
Rocchetta takes her love for gymnastics and uses it to make the team a better experience for all.
Starting next semester, I will be the secretary,” said Rocchetta. “I just want to keep the club running so that girls who love gymnastics can be a part of a team, have fun, and continue their gymnastic careers without the stress of a varsity team.”
Being a part of the club gymnastics community has its challenges but the connections and memories that are formed are ones that make any setback worthwhile those who have been on the team since freshman and have made their way up to upperclassman can prove this to be true.