University of Minnesota Athletics
Chalk Talk: Joel Gagnon
1/5/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Gymnastics
What is your favorite thing about being a gymnast for the University of Minnesota
Being a part of the team is what makes this sport so rewarding at this level. When you're younger, you're competing more or less as just an individual. Now, you're scored Individually, but it also all goes towards the team. It is a lot of pressure towards the end of the season too because each routine counts so you want to individually do well for the team. It is a different mentality, everyone has your back because they want you to do well to help the team.
What did it feel like putting on that U of M uniform for the first time?
It was so cool being able to experience that and also intimidating knowing that you are part of something bigger for once. To work so hard and reach that point, you know everything has really paid off and that's humbling.
What is one thing you've been working on to improve for this year?
I have been trying to learn some new skills and master the skills I have already. I have put in a lot of work on parallel bars and rings, two events that I didn't compete for the team. We are losing some guys on those events, so a lot of us have to step up. I'd love to be one of those guys.
What goals do you have, both for yourself and for the team this season?
Individually, I would love to be an All-American on floor like last year and medal on floor at the Big Ten Championships. As a team, my goal and everyone else's goal is making that second day of NCAA Championships and to win the Big Ten Championship. I think we can do it, it's just going to come down to how hard we work in the gym and how consistent we can make our routines. At the end of the day, every team is good, it is just knowing that we can hit our routines and know we can perform when we're called upon.
Where's your favorite place to hang out on campus and why?
I like to be at the Walter Library. It is in the middle of campus, the ceilings are super tall and it is peaceful compared to my regular life that is so busy. Between classes, I will go to do a little reading and catch up with things.
Being a busy student-athlete, how do you manage your time?
It is all about maximizing your time. It can be tricky and hard to make yourself do it but it's just something you have to learn. It's in those little moments in the day you have that you have to be responsible and make sure to do your homework. As student-athletes, we have access to tutors which helps a lot. It is nice to have that additional help for sure.
What is your career goal once you have concluded your gymnastics career?
Ideally, I would be an astronaut. I am an aerospace engineering major, so being hired by an airplane company like Boeing is what I'm more realistically shooting for. I am more interested in the design aspect.
How has being a collegiate gymnast helped you with your future career aspirations?
With gymnastics, I have always set goals for myself, so those goals help transfer to academics. The combination of time management and goal setting in gymnastics will help me afterwards.
Do you have any superstitions you have to follow on meet days?
No, I try my best to not have superstitions because I wouldn't want myself to forget it and then realize I messed up. I usually watch what I eat, make sure I am well rested and I have music to get me excited.
Last season, you were named the Gopher Freshman of the Year by your teammates. How has that motivated you for this season?
It gave me a lot of confidence, especially since I was in a freshman class of ten guys and I thought people had lower expectations for me. I wanted to prove that wrong. To finish the season so strongly and to get that award gave me all the confidence to keep moving in the direction I know I want to go.
What's it like having a fellow Canadian countryman on the team with the arrival of freshman Justin Karstadt?
It's great to have Justin here at the U. He has integrated himself well on the team. It will be fun when we travel to meets and are able not only to represent Minnesota, but Canada together too.
As being named one of the captains for this season, what it's like to take on a leadership role?
It is a good feeling knowing that what I have to say has some merit. It has been different because last year, being a freshman, I felt so young and out of the loop. Now, with our six freshman here, I am able to help them because it is a big transition coming to college. I want to do all I can to be the guy that people can trust and know they can go to.
With coming in with such a large freshman class last year, what can you all contribute to the team this season with that initial year under your belts?
I think because we were such a big class, we had to step up on the team. We all feel confident from what we were able to accomplish last season because we were give the opportunities to show what we can do. It really bonded us all together.
What is your favorite memory from last season?
Senior night. We hosted Iowa and beat them. I had a great performance too. I stuck all the landings on my events and it was nice to give the seniors, who were really a huge part of this program, their night. It was exciting and inspiring.
There's a true sense of brotherhood within this team. How were you all able to build that culture?
Part of it is that we are all in the gym together so much and we all go through the struggles and celebrations. We are able to relate what we all go through because we experience it in a similar way. We really do spend so much time together both in and out of the gym, so it is hard not to become close.
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Players Mentioned
