Michigan State University Athletics
Spartan Senior Duo Ready for 2009
1/12/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Jan. 12, 2009
It's a seemingly simple feat in the world of collegiate athletics. For four years a select handful of talented individuals devote their time to a life as a student-athlete. However, for many NCAA gymnasts it really isn't so simple. Often plagued by injury and the inability to continue competing, finishing a senior season on a high note is rare for today's gymnasts.
Michigan State seniors Katlyn Roggensack and Dani Fanning are setting out to be the exception. With high hopes - and the potential - to lead the Spartans to a 2009 Big Ten Championship and a ticket to the NCAA Championships, these two team leaders share some insight on their journey to success.
Going into your last season as an MSU gymnast, what thoughts are running through your head?
Dani Fanning: I am super excited going into my last season as an MSU gymnast. I think this season will be our best season since I have been here at MSU. We have worked really hard this fall semester and I am ready to start the season and have a lot of fun
Katlyn Roggensack: I can't believe how fast it has flown by! Every season I have competed here, though, has been more fun than the last. I feel very fortunate to be heading into my fourth year as a collegiate gymnast--I know many athletes don't get that opportunity.
What are you most looking forward to this year?
KR: Sharing fun times with my teammates, coaches, family, and fans. I am also excited to see the hard work we have done as a team all summer and fall pay off.
DF: I am really looking forward to being a senior and enjoying my last season. I feel like this will be our most successful season yet and I plan on ending my career on a high note.
Over the past three and a half years, what have been your most memorable moments as a gymnast?
KR: Each year I have been here I can recall a highlight moment from the season. My freshman year it was Big Tens, sophomore year it was the Michigan Classic, and last year it was our beam rotation at Regionals - we rocked.
DF: I would have to agree about Big Tens in 2006 my freshman year. It's my most memorable moment since I have been at MSU. I remember floor was our last event and I was first up. And the fans were really loud and chanting MSU. I was really nervous but I did a good routine and that was probably the most fun I have ever had doing a floor routine.
What goals do you hope to accomplish this year, either individually or as a team?
DF: My number one goal is to stay healthy, have fun and enjoy my last memories of doing gymnastics for MSU. I hope to compete more this season then I have the last two seasons. Hopefully I can compete at least one event in every meet. As a team, we want to win Big Tens, finish in the top 12 going in to Regionals, and we want to qualify for Nationals. Academically, I want to finish with a 4.0 this semester.
KR: As a team, I too want to see us advance to NCAA Regionals and then NCAA Nationals - and I know we have the talent to do it. Along the way, a Big Ten ring would be nice too! Individually, I hope to improve upon my career high scores and upgrade my difficulty as the season progresses. Also, I want to keep my grades up this semester and hope we can do that as a team too!
Throughout your experiences at Michigan State, what type of person have you become?
DF: Over the last three years that I have been at MSU, I definitely have matured a lot. I have learned what it is like to be part of a team and what it takes to be a collegiate athlete. I have learned what hard work means, how to manage my time, and discipline.
KR: One way I feel I have grown is in learning how to work with so many very different people to accomplish common goals. Growing up with such diverse backgrounds, we all have different needs as athletes and as people in terms of how to motivate and push each other. Thanks to those who have mentored me along the way, I have a greater understanding of how to communicate with others most effectively. Additionally, I feel that my experiences here have helped me gain confidence that I can go after anything I am passionate about, with hard work and a plan.
What are you looking forward to after this season?
DF: Well since I graduated high school a semester early and came to MSU in January 2006 to compete, I still have a another year left of school. I look forward to starting the rest of my life. I am hoping to get an internship this next fall semester and I am going on study abroad to Australia in the spring semester. Then I will be graduating in May 2010 with a degree in criminal justice and I'll hopefully start my career.
KR: I'll graduate in May 2009 with a BA in psychology but I have also applied to graduate school for a masters in communication at several schools and plan to start in the fall of 2009. I am looking forward to being able to be fully immersed in school - crazy I know! - and being able to enjoy some other sports like skiing, running, and maybe yoga. It will be different but fun!
