University of Minnesota Athletics
Looking Back: Kayla Slechta's Journey to Nationals
5/11/2011 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
April 2, 2011
The results were in. With an all around score of 39.125 at the NCAA Regionals, freshman gymnast Kayla Slechta was going to the NCAA National Championships in Cleveland, Ohio. She would travel, for the first time this season without her team, to perform in the all around competition, becoming the first Golden Gopher freshman to qualify as an individual all around competitor since Marie Roethlisberger in 1987. Even though the team did not advance (the team tied for fourth place with a score of 195.225), the University of Minnesota would still be represented on the national stage. The fans were excited. The coaches were proud. The other gymnasts knew she was going. The last person that needed convincing was Kayla herself.
"I was in disbelief. I kept thinking that my teammates had it wrong. I could not have made it. I had to quietly ask Jim if I really did qualify to Nationals in order to believe it myself, and he shook his head yes and smiled."
Slechta had been a solid performer all season and has made her mark on the program, but her achievements are far more impressive after looking back on the season. From the beginning, Slechta was a presence for the team on vault. She was the team’s leader in the regular season and won eight titles on the event. Kayla finished the season ranked No. 4 on the school’s all-time top scorers list on vault, and is the second-highest scoring freshman on vault in team history. She earned second team All-Big Ten honors, and was Minnesota’s nominee for Big Ten Freshman of the Year after being granted the weekly honor twice this season, Jan. 31 and Mar. 7. It was not until the three meets into the season that she added the floor exercise to her performance schedule. Kayla was not an all around performer until March 4 when she showed off all four routines at Iowa State. In fact, she only had four all around competitions under her belt, two of those being the Big Ten Championships and the NCAA Regional Championships, before she made her Nationals debut.
"At the beginning of the season I knew that I could be an all arounder during the regular season, but I also knew that it was going to take a lot of hard work, focus, and determination. What I did not know, but really dreamed of doing, was that I would be an all arounder at Nationals."
April 4, 2011
An extra comfort set in when Slechta heard the draw from the NCAA. She would be rotating with Utah. In a flashback to her club days, she would start on the uneven bars and move to beam. After a bye, she would perform on floor before finishing with her best event, vault.
April 5, 2011
Training began. Workouts and gym time were kept the same as during the regular season. Focus was given to consistency throughout all four performances. The coaches stressed hitting handstands, sticking landings, and making routines bigger and cleaner. Kayla also had extra help in the gym as her teammates came in during workouts to help her stay motivated and get pumped for the championships. Kayla had two weeks to prepare for dream and in two weeks she was ready.
April 13, 2011
Kayla and her coaches made their way to Cleveland, Ohio.
April 14, 2011
Official practices began in the afternoon. Walking into the arena for the first time, Slechta no doubt felt the adrenaline of excitement. Kayla was the solo representative for the University of Minnesota and it was her time to shine.
"I had nothing but excitement when I walked into the arena for the first time. I was just so happy and thankful to have that opportunity to be there and represent the University of Minnesota and my team."
That evening, all of the participants attended that Nationals banquet. The festivities took place at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
April 15, 2011
Today was the day. Her parents, who had not missed a single meet all season, were in the stands. Kayla was in the locker room listening to her iPod and going to that place of focus and enthusiasm.
"I just thought to myself 'You are ready! Just go out there, show everyone what Minnesota is all about. Have fun and enjoy the moment.'"
Although she would not be competing with her close-knit squad of Gopher gymnasts, Kayla was welcomed into her rotation with open arms.
"Utah did adopt me onto their team, made me feel comfortable, and cheered for me. But, it was still not the same as being with my Gopher team because no one can ever replace them."
Uneven Bars
Starting off the main focus was to try to stay calm. It was the first time Kayla had performed up on a platform, let alone at a collegiate national tournament. Just like in practices and regular season, Kayla hit the routine to earn a 9.70 and place 38th in her session.
Balance Beam
During her beam performance, Kayla got a little bit ahead of herself, which unfortunately resulted in a fall. She recorded 9.175 for the routine.
"I knew that I needed to step it up on the last two events and luckily I had my favorite ones left."
Floor Exercise
Slechta rebounded from her fall with power and style on floor. She showed off her routine to the best of her ability. She flipped and tumbled her way to her highest finish in the competition. Earning a 9.85, Kayla tied for ninth place in her session.
Vault
Knowing it was her final event of the season and final chance to show off what Minnesota gymnastics was all about, Kayla took to vault with the same aggression and finesse she had all season.
"I was so ready for it and so excited to show it off to everyone. I ran down that runway and gave everything I had to that one vault."
The vault garnered a mark of 9.875, a personal best in the competition and continuing her streak of earning a 9.80 or better on vault in every meet this season. She tied for 11th place on the event and finished with an all around score of 38.60 to place 18th in her session and 29th overall.
April 16, 2011
Kayla Slechta was back in Minnesota and was welcomed with cheers and hugs from her teammates. She was just a freshman when she performed on the National stage. She showcased her skills while representing the Golden Gopher program. Kayla learned what it takes to do well at the NCAA National Championship. She has new goals in mind for improving next season and the years after. The experience gave her so many things that she can remember, be proud of, and bring back to the team.
"It was such an incredible experience being able to compete at Nationals. I couldn’t have been happier to be there in Ohio, representing the University of Minnesota. Minnesota is, no doubt, good enough to be there competing at Nationals."
Story written by Kate Wadman
Players Mentioned
