Cortland Women’s gymnastics had a long and determined season to get to Nationals for the second year in a row and they did just that.
The gymnastics team has clearly had a successful and outstanding season and finished it off on a great note, placing 4th overall at the NCGA Nationals meet and was the top scorer among the three East Region teams and the 6-team championships.
Cortland finished with a team score of 191.975 just a few points behind the top 3 scoring teams at the championships.
Freshmen Tayah Graham and Sophomore Autumn Adkins earned All-American honors.
Throughout the past two seasons the girl’s undeniable motivation and dedication have not gone unnoticed and clearly shows within the team’s atmosphere and relationship. This has played a large role in what has gotten them to their success today.
Their captain, Senior, Rianna Adams has been a big help and contribution to the team’s success this year, “I am super impressed and proud of the team this season.” Adams proudly states, “Every single person on this team had put in so much work that we were able to elevate the level of skill on our team so much. We were able to break records and be the top east score at nationals purely based on how we pushed each other in the gym every day and with the endless support of our coaches. It was the best last year I could have asked for.” Adams claims.
For many, this season and nationals’ performance will only motivate them more for next season however for others this was an exciting end to a very successful career like senior captain Adams. “It really hasn’t hit me that I’m officially done with gymnastics.” Adams says, “It has been something that has consumed so much of my life that it’s hard to comprehend that it just randomly ends one day.” Adams says reflecting on her career.
After making it to national’s last season and having a very successful season, the team had high expectations for this season, however, the team clearly turned the pressure into motivation.
“We really wanted to make sure we left this season with no regrets. In order to do this, we made sure we did every possible thing we could in practice so that it would pay off throughout the competition season.” Captain Adams says as she explains the team’s season strategy to beat the expectations that they set for themselves from last season. “Lat season we had broken one event record and managed to tie the team school record…The 2023-2024 season as a big shift in the team because we brought in so many fresh faces that were excited to work.” Adams expresses as she reflects on last year’s success.
As we know now, they had nothing to worry about as the Cortland Gymnastics team came out stronger than ever meeting and exceeding their expectations and leading themselves to yet another victorious season.
Cortland Gymnastics showed that hard work, motivation and dedication with strong leadership can pay off in the end with a successful season.