University of Minnesota Athletics
My Gymnastics Story: Lindsay Mable
1/26/2016 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
The sport of gymnastics is no easy feat. The years of tough training both mentally and physically push gymnasts to their limits in order to succeed at the highest level. Gophersports.com sat down with the University of Minnesota women's gymnastics team to learn where each of these 14 women came from in order to call themselves Golden Gophers.
Being a gymnast is part of me. Whenever people ask for a "fun fact,” "I am a gymnast" has always been my go to for as long as I can remember. When I was six, my brother and sister played baseball and softball. I would stand on the sidelines with the other little siblings of the players and do handstands and somersaults. My mom then put me in recreational classes and my rec. coach encouraged my mom to have me join a "team oriented" program at the gym she attended. That gym was the Colorado Gymnastics Institute (or CGI) and essentially, it became my second home and the people at the gym became second family. Not only did I learn my gymnastics skill base there, but I learned so many life lessons from gymnastics that have shaped me and continue to shape me today. Aside from the muscles and skills, my type-A personality, time-management skills and persistence are a few traits that have come from the many hours spent in the gym. Growing up in gymnastics gave me something to belong to that was always bigger than just myself.
Pinpointing one favorite thing about gymnastics is so difficult for me because I love so many different aspects of the sport. So, I will try to narrow it down to just a few. My first favorite thing is all the amazing people I have met through the sport. Not only teammates, past and present, but also all the coaches who have spent countless hours being second parents to me. Unexpectedly, the gymnastics community is also a huge family so I've met some amazing opponents who have also become friends along the way. My second favorite thing about gymnastics is the way it continuously challenges me everyday. It doesn't matter what day of the week it is, the gym provides an environment that challenges my physical, mental and/or emotional abilities. That doesn't sound pleasant, but what makes it enjoyable is overcoming those challenges and surprising myself with what can be achieved. My third favorite thing about gymnastics is just having the ability to flip and fly. The satisfaction that comes from "perfecting" a skill or just nailing a routine is something I never want to forget. Needless to say, gymnastics brings so many blessings to my life that I wouldn't trade for anything... even the ripped hands and days of being so sore it hurts to move.
Being a gymnast for the U of M is the fulfillment of my dream to compete at a Division I school. My goal was always to receive a college scholarship to be compete at a great university. I couldn't have picked a better place to spend four years. I have learned so many things in my time at the U, but one of my favorite lessons is being part of a family. I have so much pride in being a Golden Gopher and wearing the Maroon and Gold is such a blessing. Not only do I feel like a part of the Gopher family, but also the gymnastics family. It is such a unique opportunity to represent something so much bigger than myself. Each time I step out onto the competition floor, I try to honor the gymnasts who paved the way for me and also remember the mark I hope to leave for gymnasts to come. There is truly no greater feeling than having teammates run back to the group after a fantastic routine and celebrating/cheering together. I love that as a group we win, we lose, we celebrate and we hurt together. Together, we are all U of M gymnasts and that is the greatest honor of all.
I'm not quite sure how to imagine my life the last 15 years without gymnastics, but I'm sure glad I don't have to. Being a senior, I truly am doing my very best to enjoy every moment....the good and the bad. I know these moments are ones I cannot have back so I want to relish in them while they are here. I'm so proud of my fellow seniors and this team for how far we have come together. I’m so happy I get to spend my last year doing what I love with the people I love! Here is to the amazing sport of gymnastics and all the amazing benefits that come from it...Go Gophs!
