Leading the Team
3/4/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
March 4, 2005
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Senior Captain Nicole (Anderson) June
Q. What do you think is the most important role of being a captain?
A. I don't believe that there is just one important role of being a captain. I believe that leading by example is important, listening to what others' concerns are and trying to do my best to make changes to best meet the needs of the team.
Q. How do you help the younger girls on your team?
A. I try to set a good example, inside and outside the gym, as well as teach them from my past and let them learn from their experiences as well.
Q. What's one thing most people don't know about gymnastics?
A. Most people don't know that the hard work doesn't stop at the end of season; we continue to practice through the summers.
Q. What does the word team mean to you?
A. Team means a lot of things to me. Unity and support. These girls are the closest things we have to sisters.
Senior Captain Anna Hunsinger
Q. With your medical disqualification, what are you doing now, during practice, to help the team?
A. I have become a student coach, so I work with people on their floor routines, floor music, and help do corrections on beam or jumps. I fill in wherever I am needed.
Q. What is your role during meets?
A. I record scores.
Q. What is the one thing you miss the most in competing?
A. I loved performing, especially on floor. That was my favorite; getting out there and performing to the crowd. I miss that the most.
Junior Captain Sarah Alexander
Q. How does your experience of being a captain last year help you lead the team this year?
A. It made me more aware of the position I was in. It prepared me more for the season, and I was more excited to come into the season knowing that I already had the one year of being a captain under my belt and just ready to go at it again.
Q. What do you expect from the team this season?
A. We have tons of potential. We should do great things and, as long as we can stay focused, healthy and really support each other to get through the whole season, then we could really come out on top.
Q. What is your favorite part of being a Spartan?
A. The atmosphere, the team, and Michigan State itself, it's just wonderful.
Q. Do you have any pre-meet rituals?
A. I just try to stay calm and stay focused. I say a prayer before every meet during the national anthem, so that is my routine I guess.
Senior Kristin Merritt
Q. Is this season different for you, being that it's your senior year?
A. This season is different for me now that I am a senior. It's different because I know that everyone on the team looks up to us seniors and that gives me a good feeling. It's also different because I know that this season is my last and that makes every meet I compete in a special competition to me. I want to end my career on a high note and knowing that its the end of my gymnastics career puts pressure on me but it also makes it fun at the same time.
Q. How do you set an example for the younger girls on your team?
A. I set an example for the younger girls by trying to set and good example inside the gym by trying to keep a good attitude and lots of energy in the gym. Having a good gym atmosphere makes gymnastics that much more fun. I also try to give the younger girls good advice about my experiences here at Michigan State University. I let the younger girls know that I am here for them if they ever need anything.
Q. What has been the highlight of your Spartan career so far?
A. The highlight of my Spartan career so far would have to be last year when the team broke our school record twice and when I scored a 9.9 on bars last year.
Senior Lauren Simpson
Q. What is the toughest part about being a senior on a team? A. The toughest part about being a senior is knowing that it is your last chance at the sport, and trying to help the underclassman realize that their time will come to an end too, and not to take for granted their chance to be a competitive gymnast. Also, knowing that we will need to let go of a team we have worked so hard to build up, but not knowing where it will go after we are gone.
Q. What is one piece of advice you would give younger gymnasts?
A. Smile, work hard, have fun, and realize that one bad day or meet does not determine you as a gymnast. None of us can be perfect, but trying to be perfect is what really counts. Do not get upset with yourself if you know that you have done everything you can to succeed.
Q. What is your favorite part of the meets?
A. Of course I enjoy competing, but as a whole, I enjoy the rush when, as a team, we have had a great event or meet. It is exciting, knowing that all of our hard work has really paid off.
Q. What do you view as the hardest part of gymnastics?
A. The hardest part of gymnastics is staying motivated and physically capable of practicing each and every day. Due to the mental and physical demands of the sport, it is difficult to remain as determined and physically fresh at the end of the week as we were at the beginning of the week.
Senior Jennifer Yarbrough
Q. What do you think makes an effective leader for your team? A. Someone that shows their leadership, not only through words, but also in competitions and in practice. Someone who leads by example and shows how much fun it is to be out there, remembering that it is not all work and no play! We wouldn't do the sport if it wasn't fun, and a good leader should be able to remind you why you love the sport. Sometimes everyone needs a little reminder!
Q. How does being a senior impact your performance this year?
A. It has definitely given me a lot of confidence. I know how things work, nothing surprises me any more. I feel like you have to take every competition in like it is your last, you have to get the full enjoyment out of everything that has to do with gymnastics, because before you know it, the season will be over and you don't want to regret anything.
Q. What is one thing you hope to leave behind for your team after graduation?
A. I hope to leave the Spartan spirit behind. I want the gymnasts to know what a privilege it is to be a part of this team, because it has been one of the best experiences of my life. I want people to remember how much fun this senior class had, but I also want them to remember we worked extremely hard to get where we are today.
Players Mentioned
