November 12, 2007

Hi SWG fans,

We just finished one of the hardest weeks of the year in terms of conditioning and gymnastics. In spite of, or more likely because of all the hard work we have made huge strides this week as a team. We have really started to develop the team chemistry and love for each other that is such a key part of who this team is and why we succeed. It is working together that will get us where we want to be at the end of the year. This week we have started to do that more and more. It makes the gym a great place to be. Everyone is not only doing big gymnastics, but each is also very engaged and involved in what one's teammates are doing.

This culminated in our first intrasquad of the year that took place yesterday. It was exciting for everyone, and I think especially for the freshman, to get a little taste of the competition mentality that we all enjoy so much. We started with vault, which was highlighted by Gretchen's huge stuck yurchenko full. Though bars was not our best event of the afternoon, we hit our routines and made some good changes. The highlight of the day was beam. It is going to be tough to make the line-up this year, as we competed 8 people yesterday and still more are ready to go. It was really exciting to see so many hit routines with no wobbles this early in the season. Look for big things from the beam team this year. Finally we finished up on floor. Highlights here include Tenaya's new floor routine and Allyse's always wonderful dance and expression (and some huge tumbling as well). We know we have lots of room for improvement, but I think we're at a good starting point.

Thanks for checking in with SWG. Go Card!

Lauren Elmore