To be honest, the cortisone shot did absolutely
nothing. My shoulder actually felt worse
after I got it. I once again refused to
tell anybody because like I said I was determined to make the Senior National
team. This team consists of the best
gymnasts from Massachusetts, much like the regional team I was chosen to be
on. The difference however, is that this
team consists only of seniors in high school, and they compete in Florida
against all teams from the nation instead of just the region. Even with my injury, I was chosen to be on
this team! I was so excited when it was
announced at one of the competitions I almost cried. All the hard work the past four years, and
pushing through so much pain finally paid off.
After the team was announced, there were scheduled practices for all of
the senior gymnasts so we could get to know each other and practice as a team
since we were from all over Massachusetts.
The big competition was in Ft. Meyers,
Florida. We stayed in the “Diamondhead”
Hotel and it was absolutely breathtaking.
We jet skied with dolphins, parasailed, and actually had time to lie by
the hotel pool. My mom and grandmother
came with me, but I shared a room with 3 of my teammates. When it came time for competition, I used
everything in me to try to ignore the pain, but it was so overpowering it was
nearly impossible. Much like New
Englands, I was only able to compete two events. As disappointed as I was that I couldn’t
contribute four scores to the team, I was grateful I was able to compete two
events, and blessed that I was even chosen for the team. We ended up finishing in a tie for third
place as a team, and even though we didn’t win, I wouldn’t trade any of it for
the world. It was the most amazing experience
and something I will never forget.
This competition was in mid-June, which
meant there were still YMCA nationals ahead of me at the end of June in Toledo,
Ohio. After weighing the pros and cons
of competing at YMCA nationals, my coaches, family, and I decided it was in my
best interest not to participate. I had
been pushing through my shoulder pain for over a year now and it needed
rest. I was upset about this decision,
however I knew it wasn’t worth it. This
meant my gymnastics career was officially over.
Although it seemed like I had a pretty rough career, I definitely had
some highlights as well. Not only was I
chosen for the USAG Regional team twice, and the Senior National team, I was
the Salem News all star for three years in a row including my senior year, I
was an NEC/CAL all star two years in a row, and I was also my high school teams
MVP 2 years in a row as well.
Looking back on my accomplishments
throughout my career I am so proud of everything I did. To this day, I still have 40+ trophies
alongside my 100+ medals from competitions.
I miss this sport more than anything and would do anything to be able to
compete again. Gymnastics was my first
love and because of that I decided to become a coach. I love watching the sport do for these young
girls what it did for me. Gymnastics was
the hardest, most rewarding 13 years of my life and I wouldn’t be who I am
today without it.
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