It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s a Gymnast?

Gymnastics is a sport that requires a great deal of physical strength, flexibility, agility, co-ordination, balance, and grace. Freshman Nicole Whelan is on the top of her game and soaring to new heights.

“I started gymnastics in June 2001 at the YMCA, but I didn’t make the team until 2003,” said freshman Nicole Whelan.

“The first skill that I learned was probably a handstand or a somersault,” said Whelan.

She continued to practice at the YMCA until 2007, but then made the switch to Twin Ports Gymnastics in Superior, Wisconsin.

Nicole is a level eight gymnast and being apart of the competition team is a big time commitment. She has practice four days a week for four hours each night, and the practices aren’t easy. “We start practices with cardio, stretching, and our splits. We practice three events a night and have a 15 minute break in between somewhere,” said Nicole. “At the end of practice we do more cardio, condition, and also do more splits or other flexibility.”

In order to move up a level in gymnastics one must be able to perform a set list of skills, and as a level eight Nicole has been gradually learning more difficult skills. “The hardest skill I know is probably a Yurchenko on vault, or a back walkover-back handspring connected on the beam,” said Nicole Whelan. “But my favorite skill is either a giant on bars or a full twist on floor.”

Another aspect of gymnastics is the several different events that a gymnast competes. As a female, Nicole competes in uneven bars, beam, floor, and vault. “My favorite event is bars,” said Whelan.

Gymnasts are scored based on difficulty and execution. Each skill has its own difficulty, and these added together make a certain amount of points that can be earned. Gymnasts also have to incorporate selected skills into the routine. “The best scores I’ve ever gotten at a meet are 8.0 on bars, 8.35 on vault, 8.65 on beam, and 8.75 on floor. Overall I got 33.70 and I got all first places at that meet,” said Nicole Whelan.

“Nicole is extremely dedicated and is also an amazing gymnast,” said sophomore Miranda Larson.

“My inspirations are my coaches George and Krista. Another inspiration is my summer coach Janos who is from Hungary,” said Whelan.

Not only does Nicole dedicate most of her after school time to gymnastics, she is also on the cheerleading squad this year.

“Being both a gymnast and cheerleader is difficult and time consuming, but Nicole pulls it off with ease,” said senior Brooke Binsfield.

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