University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
/ Gymnastics
Photo by: Christopher Mitchell
Dear Gymnastics: Mary Korlin-Downs
3/4/2021 8:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
As the University of Minnesota women's gymnastics team approaches senior night and the last home meet of the regular season, each senior took time to reflect on a lifetime of gymnastics and put a lifetime's worth of memories into a few paragraphs. Take a trip through Mary Korlin-Downs' personal story with the sport she has dedicated so much of her life to.
Dear Gymnastics,
Thank you for all that you have given to me. You have taught me valuable lessons, brought the best people into my life and have shaped me into who I am today. Growing up you gave me passion and excitement for the sport. I remember attending every Gopher gymnastics meet when I was young, sitting in the front row, decked out in maroon and gold. You allowed me to live out my lifelong dream, to become a Gopher athlete. These past five years at the University of Minnesota has been an opportunity of a lifetime, all thanks to gymnastics. This sport has led me to an amazing school, allowed me to become a part of a record-breaking program and given me the chance to inspire the next generation of future Gophers.
Thank you gymnastics and thank you to the University of Minnesota. Thank you to my coaches. Thank you for taking a chance on a transfer student. Thank you for believing that an injured athlete can flourish in a new team culture. Injuries have tested my commitment to the sport, but nevertheless my passion grew each passing year. Thank you for offering one last year with this sport and with this team. This program's culture, standards and team chemistry has given me a new love for the sport. The people around me have inspired and encouraged me each and every day. Thank you to all of you. Thank you to my past and present teammates. You all have taught me valuable life lessons. You have taught me to be mentally tough, to have confidence in myself and have given me something to smile about on a daily basis. You have allowed me to learn from experiences and become a stronger, smarter and happier person.
Lastly, I want to thank my supportive parents. You two have been my rock and my greatest support system. I loved being able to look up after each routine and see your smiling faces (or Gopher masks this past year) in the crowd. Thank you for loving this sport with me. I can always count on the two of you to calm me down, give me a pre-meet pep talk and cheer me on with maroon and gold pom poms. I am forever grateful for your love, your support and your constant encouragement. I am excited to be up in the stands standing with you, maroon and gold pom poms in hand, to cheer on next year's Gophers.
I hope the little girl that attended every Gopher gymnastics meet growing up is proud of the person I've become. I am proud of my gymnastics career and all that it entailed. I will greatly miss this sport, but I'm extremely thankful for the past 18 years. Gymnastics will forever have a special place in my heart. Again thank you to gymnastics and thank you Minnesota.
Forever maroon and good, forever Go Gophers! ~ Mary
GopherSports: How would you describe your Gopher Women's gymnastics experience?
Mary Korlin-Downs: I would describe my Gopher gymnastics experience as something I will remember and cherish for a lifetime. This program has allowed me to grow as an athlete, a leader and helped me become the person I am today. This program is truly life changing.
GS: What has been your favorite memory from your time on the team?
MKD: My favorite memory isn't one specific memory but a complication of all the emotional routines were the team runs to give the gymnast a team hug. Career-highs and 10.0 when the team goes crazy, those are the memories I'll always remember. One specific memory that has been one of my favorites is when I was able to put together one of my best beam routines and the team surrounded me with a million hugs. A 10.0 from a judge was also a nice plus too!
GS: What are you going to miss the most?
MKD: The team. I've been through five different teams and have met some of the most amazing people. I'll miss team hype huddles, high fives, cheering, hugs, travel trips, and constant laughs. These girls have been my second family for the past five years and have given me the sisterhood I've always wanted!
Dear Gymnastics,
Thank you for all that you have given to me. You have taught me valuable lessons, brought the best people into my life and have shaped me into who I am today. Growing up you gave me passion and excitement for the sport. I remember attending every Gopher gymnastics meet when I was young, sitting in the front row, decked out in maroon and gold. You allowed me to live out my lifelong dream, to become a Gopher athlete. These past five years at the University of Minnesota has been an opportunity of a lifetime, all thanks to gymnastics. This sport has led me to an amazing school, allowed me to become a part of a record-breaking program and given me the chance to inspire the next generation of future Gophers.
Thank you gymnastics and thank you to the University of Minnesota. Thank you to my coaches. Thank you for taking a chance on a transfer student. Thank you for believing that an injured athlete can flourish in a new team culture. Injuries have tested my commitment to the sport, but nevertheless my passion grew each passing year. Thank you for offering one last year with this sport and with this team. This program's culture, standards and team chemistry has given me a new love for the sport. The people around me have inspired and encouraged me each and every day. Thank you to all of you. Thank you to my past and present teammates. You all have taught me valuable life lessons. You have taught me to be mentally tough, to have confidence in myself and have given me something to smile about on a daily basis. You have allowed me to learn from experiences and become a stronger, smarter and happier person.
Lastly, I want to thank my supportive parents. You two have been my rock and my greatest support system. I loved being able to look up after each routine and see your smiling faces (or Gopher masks this past year) in the crowd. Thank you for loving this sport with me. I can always count on the two of you to calm me down, give me a pre-meet pep talk and cheer me on with maroon and gold pom poms. I am forever grateful for your love, your support and your constant encouragement. I am excited to be up in the stands standing with you, maroon and gold pom poms in hand, to cheer on next year's Gophers.
I hope the little girl that attended every Gopher gymnastics meet growing up is proud of the person I've become. I am proud of my gymnastics career and all that it entailed. I will greatly miss this sport, but I'm extremely thankful for the past 18 years. Gymnastics will forever have a special place in my heart. Again thank you to gymnastics and thank you Minnesota.
Forever maroon and good, forever Go Gophers! ~ Mary
GopherSports: How would you describe your Gopher Women's gymnastics experience?
Mary Korlin-Downs: I would describe my Gopher gymnastics experience as something I will remember and cherish for a lifetime. This program has allowed me to grow as an athlete, a leader and helped me become the person I am today. This program is truly life changing.
GS: What has been your favorite memory from your time on the team?
MKD: My favorite memory isn't one specific memory but a complication of all the emotional routines were the team runs to give the gymnast a team hug. Career-highs and 10.0 when the team goes crazy, those are the memories I'll always remember. One specific memory that has been one of my favorites is when I was able to put together one of my best beam routines and the team surrounded me with a million hugs. A 10.0 from a judge was also a nice plus too!
GS: What are you going to miss the most?
MKD: The team. I've been through five different teams and have met some of the most amazing people. I'll miss team hype huddles, high fives, cheering, hugs, travel trips, and constant laughs. These girls have been my second family for the past five years and have given me the sisterhood I've always wanted!
Arianna Ostrum - B1G Freshman of the Year
Sunday, March 22
Highlights: Big Ten Championships
Saturday, March 21
Big Ten Championship Hype
Saturday, March 21
Senior Salute
Wednesday, March 18