By Madyson Montoya (@MadysonMontoya ):
After 20 years of gymnastics, senior Katie Won is going into her last meet this Saturday at the NCAA Regionals.
The four years of competing at the collegiate level has been one tough journey for Won.
Coming in as a freshman off a shoulder injury was her first obstacle.
“I barely had my basic skills back,” Won said. “Basically I rebuilt myself as a gymnast here.”
Pushing herself past her limits, Won was able to compete as an all-around competitor her freshman year.
This marks the third year that Won has competed at NCAA Regionals, and this time, she is able to go with five of her other teammates. Three will be competing, and two as alternates.
For most of the team, the season ended two weeks ago, so staying in the focused mindset is difficult for those continuing.
“We’re looking at it like we’re a small team,” said head coach Wayne Wright.
In the past it has been more individual based.
SJSU has only had three gymnasts compete at regionals the last two appearances in 2015 and 2017 they have made. To have six team members there is going to help immensely, according to Won.
Sophomore Taylor Chan will be there for her second time competing on vault and floor. Junior Ellie Pascoe-Long will be joining Chan on those events for her first time at regionals, and junior Stephanie Relova will also be making her first regional appearance on the beam.
It will be a big weekend for SJSU as they will have at least one gymnast in every event at the meet.
The pressure was on for the Spartans all season as they worked hard to defend their MPSF Championship title.
Coach Wright recalls telling the upperclassmen in the beginning of the season “I need you to dig in deep I know you’re giving me everything you got, I just need a little bit more,” Wright said.
Not only did the team protect their title, but they were able to prove that they had grown as four individual athletes qualified for regionals and two alternates will be attending.
A new team brings new struggles in every sport. Won stepped up as a leader to push her team to come out on top as back to back champions.
“She has paved her way every year, got better, more consistent and a proven leader for the team,” Wright said.
Won will be competing only on bars at regionals as opposed to all of the apparatuses that she has competed in all year. This weekend very well could be the last time she ever participates in gymnastics ever again.
“I really want to do well this weekend” Won said. “I just have to hold in on making that one last routine the best it can be.”
Knowing that this is her last meet she is more focused than ever on making a lasting impression.
“I’m just trying to focus on it one day at a time,” Won said.
Won’s teammates will miss her next year as she has left her mark in the program. Her four years as a SJSU gymnast will not be forgotten.
Freshman gymnast Trisha Raquel is going to be at home with the rest of the team while they support their teammates through a Facebook Live post.
“She is like a mother to me,” Raquel said. “She’s been there for me when I was down and frustrated.”
Being able to lift up teammates is not an easy skill, but it comes with time. As Won moves on after this weekend, she will always be with the team through her teammates.
She has achieved great performances in gymnastics, in the classroom and as a leader for her team.
“When the new kids come back we will use her as an example,” Wright said. “I think Katie will leave a great legacy for this program.”