University of Minnesota Athletics
In My Own Words: Kaitlin Rahon
5/26/2016 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
Recap the Gophers incredible 2016 season through the team's perspective.
By Kaitlin Rahon
The Gopher women's gymnastics team had an outstanding 2016 season - the most successful season on paper since I have been a member of the team. The highlight of the season was our qualification to the NCAA Championships during the Regional Qualifier. One of the first thoughts that came to my head when we found out we qualified was, "it paid off. All of the work really paid off."
Backtracking a few weeks, we were headed into the Big 5 Qualifier at Penn State, eager to acquire another Big Ten Regular-Season title. As always, we did not go into the competition with the outcome in mind, we were focused on the process. This meant sticking to our "cue words" during our routines, cheering our hearts out for our fellow teammates and not focusing on how the other teams were performing. Personally, I was first up on Floor, the first event and I had my best routine of the season so far. I was proud of the way I started things off for the team - and we carried that momentum into the next four events. We ended on Beam (which continued to be a successful rotation for us going into the rest of post-season) and nailed it. Watching Hanna Nordquist finish off the rotation with a perfect 10.00 was icing on the cake. Claiming the 2016 Regular-Season title, undefeated nonetheless, boosted our confidence going into the rest of post-season.
The Big Ten Championships in Nebraska was a successful meet, but not the outcome we desired. Looking back on the competition, I believe the few hiccups we had at Big Tens only fueled us more for Regionals. We did not go into Regionals over or under-confident. We found a happy medium that proved to be a successful strategy for the team. Cool, confident and calm.
The night before Regionals, the team stayed at a hotel in downtown Minneapolis and the parents were gracious enough to host a team game night. I remember thinking during game night, "this team has amazing chemistry." We all genuinely care for each other. I was not worried about how the meet the following day would play out, because I was confident in my teammates and their abilities and visa versa.
Arriving at the Pav for Regionals was surreal. I was grateful the University of Minnesota was able to host the competition for the second time since my college career began. I was equally grateful for my family members that flew from California to watch the meet. Seeing them in the audience always imparts a calming feeling for me. I know they have my back, no matter what happens on the competition floor.
As first up in the competition again, I had a solid Floor routine that started some momentum for the rest of the lineup. After a Floor rotation that went well, but not perfect, we were eager to hit it out of the park for the next three events - something we definitely did. After stellar Vault and Bars rotations, we ended on Beam. Knowing how strong we were on the event, we believed in our abilities to perform. Although I was confident, this was the most nervous I have been for a beam routine all season. I wanted to nail my routine so badly for my team and to show myself I can handle high-pressure situations. As first up, I completed my job and hit my routine. Once I got into the corral, I was able to breathe easier, because I had full confidence my teammates were going to nail it.
Finding out we qualified to Nationals after that Beam rotation was the highlight of my season. I cried tears of joy with my teammates and all of us had the biggest smiles on our faces. Our hard work all season finally culminated during this moment.
This team was special for a variety of reasons. I believe the biggest factor for our success this season was our team unity and our coaches that encouraged and enforced this unity. I am thrilled to see our culture in such a solid and positive place before our seven freshmen get here and I am grateful for the opportunity to be a senior leader on the team with such a large incoming class. The 2016 season was been one for the record books and I am excited to be back at the 2017 NCAA National Championships with an equally unified team.
#AlwaysGolden
Players Mentioned
