Beyond the Beam with Associate Head Coach Randy Lane
1/25/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Jan. 25, 2008
What a difference a week makes ... well most of the time. In our case we improved about 50% from the week before. We increased our team score on vault and bars, but found ourselves struggling once again on the dreaded balance beam. The one thing that stands out in my mind is that there was a vast difference in the team chemistry this past weekend. Our team finally showed the potential for greatness that we see every day in practice. They meshed, they fought together and fell together as a team. Now, if we can keep them on the beam together that would be a huge step. As a coach, I often wonder what I could have done differently to help the individual compete better, perform better or just plain stay on the equipment. That is a question still to be answered, but as I wake up every morning at 4 a.m. thinking of things that could potentially help the team overall, I know ultimately it is within their reach, we just have to find the right path for each individual.
We had our second "W" for this very young season. Nicole Curler had her second all-around win for the season with a season high of 39.15 and also won floor with a 9.775. Sophomore Rochelle Robinson won the vault for the second week in a row with a 9.85. Sophomore Emily Lopatofsky got her first collegiate win on the bars tying teammate Rochelle Robinson with a 9.8. And freshmen Kelsey Morley won her first collegiate title, winning balance beam with a 9.875. So, as you can see, we had some incredible results and have the potential to show greatness.
This wonderful sport of gymnastics is a mental game 90% of the time. We have two great sports psychologists that work with our team on a bi-weekly basis. That work is paying off, and I hope that this team can continue down the road, believing that they are a great team. After our first meet, with very dismal results, an MSU fan came up to me and simply said to me, "This team is special, they could go far." I thought this was a great word to associate with this team. There are great athletes on this team, with the work ethic, heart, discipline and desire to take MSU some where "special." We are headed in the right direction, which is up and forward, climbing the mountain. We hope to "peak" at the most appropriate time this season. The way I look at it, we are on a journey with a road we are paving along the way.
We continue down the road this Saturday night as we head to the University of Michigan for a dual competition. The meet begins at 6 p.m. in Crisler Arena and we hope to see a great deal of Green and White in the stands.
Until next time...
Go Green, Go White, Go Spartans!!!
Randy
Players Mentioned
