Photo by Rachel Kreager
By John Culbertson (@Johnculb3) — Reporter
When they stick the landing, you can expect to hear the distinctive Spartan Scream.
It is a phrase I’ve decided to coin, as it depicts the loud cheers of excitement as the San Jose State gymnastics team enthusiastically supports one another.
An understanding of chemistry like the Spartans could have helped me earn that A-plus in my high school science class.
“Our team chemistry is probably the best it’s been since I’ve been here,” said junior Emma Milne. “It makes us want to do it more for each other than ourselves … It makes competing so much more fun.”
The team is certainly grateful to have the opportunity to bond after the COVID-19 pandemic had shortened its two previous seasons and made bonding outside of practice difficult.
As the restrictions in Santa Clara County have begun to ease up, the team has had the opportunity to strengthen its connection this year.
As their relationships have strengthened, they have learned how to drive each other to new heights.
“We’ve gotten to watch each other improve so much since we all got here to now,” said junior Jada Mazury. “I think we all have each other’s backs and we all know how to support each other and what each person needs … you just know how to support each other better and being able to be together for a consistent time period has allowed us to do that.”
Building these relationships surely requires constant effort. The Spartans are continuously working on their chemistry in practice and are reminded that they aren’t just performing for themselves, but for their teammates too.
“We’ve been starting to incorporate more group assignments,” Milne said. “It builds more pressure on doing it as a group, which helps us in a competition setting where we are doing routines for each other, not just alone.”
The rapport between the Spartans has led to tangible results. They have had many record-breaking moments and routines to remember all year.
Multiple members on the team have been honored by the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, some even more than once.
Although individual accolades are nothing to scoff at, the Spartans are happier to have measurable results of their team’s hard work this season.
Spartan athletes are competitors and the ladies on the gymnastics team are no different. The team is grateful to have the opportunity to compete and be out on the mats again.
“That’s been the most exciting part of the season,” said head coach Joanne Bowers. “We just want to compete. That’s why you work so hard.”
The 2022 season marked the end of a 716-day wait, as SJSU gymnastics hosted its first home meet with fans in attendance since March 11, 2020.
Those fanless meets have undoubtedly prepared the Spartans to excel on the road. SJSU has had multiple meets where it couldn’t feed off the crowd’s energy, and had to provide that spark for itself.
“I think on the road, we have to do a really good job of creating our own energy,” Bowers said. “We bring a big group on the bus … we try to stay together and we try to really help with the energy.”
This road game plan must be important, as the Spartans set a school record while on the road against UC Davis Feb. 6. SJSU broke the team-score school record with an impressive 196.550.
The success that the team has found this season is also representative of the culmination of these ladies’ dreams.
“It is very rewarding to know your dreams are coming true from when you were a little girl,” Mazury said. “Growing up all you wanted to do was college gymnastics and you’re finally here and you’re doing well.”
Success has not been in short supply for the Spartans this year, and perfection becomes something that floats around in the mind. When the team focuses too much on being perfect, coach Bowers has found that the mentality of searching for perfection is to blame.
“There’s this thing in our sport where you tighten up and you’re trying not to fall, so what happens is you’re very tentative and your rhythm isn’t as good … and that kind of escalates,” Bowers said. “We came to the understanding that if we just go back to relaxing and having fun and doing what we know we can do … then our chances of being successful are so great.”
Bowers understands what her team needs to thrive and the mentality required to do so. She also understands that part of her job in leading the program is to guide the team toward success in the postseason.
“I’ve been associated with teams that talk too much too early about postseason and don’t take care of the daily things that take care of weekly things that then take care of all of that,” Bowers said.
Undoubtedly an expert at giving life lessons, Bowers left me with a quote that didn’t just apply to her team’s mentality on the mat, but one that applies to everyday life.
“Do what you can control today, and it will all take care of itself.”