Whenever one of the gymnasts perfects a routine or hits a routine, the entire team rushes up to congratulate them. These are Senior Corynn Morgan’s favorite moments.
After taking the reins last year, when there were no seniors on the team, she has a clear view of her role this year.
“As a senior I make sure that everybody has what they need to have and that they are doing what they need to do and if they are having problems with anything inside or outside of the gym with skills,” Corynn said.
She also has fellow senior Saniya Lipscomb to help.
“As a senior captain I keep everyone in order and [on] task,” Saniya said.
The team has found success so far, winning the Pirate Pride Invitational and placing second at the Valparaiso Invitational. They have the DAC meet this weekend with Sectionals following.
Corynn likes the fact that gymnastics is an individual sport, as well as a team sport with individual scores contributing to team results.
“Instead of gymnastics being just a team sport you have ways to uplift yourself and not just go on as a whole group for example you compete alone and you can move on to regionals and sections and state just by yourself instead of having other people weigh you down,” Corynn said.
Corynn is pushing herself this season to do her best ever.
“[I want to] place in Sectionals and move on to Regionals. . .” she said. “I am going to try to perfect more skills so I can start at a higher [point] value to do better.”
Her favorite event is the uneven bars.
“I like the bar because it’s all timing and it’s still the easiest event to perfect because all you have to do is straighten your legs.”
Her most challenging skill is an aerial jump on the beam.
“It’s all a weird timing thing, so if I don’t do it right, I just fall off the beam and it’s hard to do.”
Saniya’s favorite moment in gymnastics was when she had to compete top four as a sophomore because one of the seniors got hurt and they threw her in on an event.
“It was scary, but in the end I felt accomplished,” she said.
But Saniya is sure this year will be even more special.
“This year is the year where everything finally comes together,” she said. “The skills I’ve been building, the setbacks me and my teammates have pushed through and the discipline that’s shaped me into the athlete I am this season.
“Everything is more meaningful because it reflects not just what I can do but who I’ve become through the years. Knowing these are my last and final practices and competitions with people that I’ve built such close bonds with over the years, is very sentimental to me.
Saniya is excited to show what the Pirates can bring to the table.
“All the things and all the different ways we’ve upgraded from last year and how we’ve come back better and stronger. We have a very good chance at such a big opportunity this year and I’m looking forward to standing out, showing what we’re able to accomplish.”
