SPORTS

SPORTS| 18 Quitting gymnastics: refi nding myself in times of abrupt change

Web News Editor

Gymnastics defi ned the entirety of my being, which was why having to quit so abruptly was one of the most challenging experiences in my life.

I started gymnastics when I was 5 or 6, and hit my fi rst obstacle at 9 years old, when I freefell from the high bar, breaking the ulna and radius bones in my right arm. This was only the beginning of a long list of injuries to come. I suffered constant tendon issues in both of my knees, broke my elbow and fi ngers, chipped kneecaps and sprained ankles. Somehow, I always bounced back with more motivation than before, and I eventually began training in a facility 45 minutes away, for over four hours a day, fi ve days a week.

But this last summer was where everything fl ipped. I took a fall from the balance beam, completely dislocating my left kneecap and almost fully tearing two ligaments in my knee.

I made a joke of the situation at the time, being wheeled out in the stretcher, waving goodbye to all my friends like I was on some sort of parade fl oat. Meanwhile, three medics were rushing me to an ambulance with my knee stuck out of its socket. I thought they would just put it back in place and I would be able to continue enjoying my sport, but I was wrong. After visiting multiple doctors, each contemplating reconstructive surgery, they all gave me similar advice: it was time to consider if a future in gymnastics was worth the high risk of chronic pain. Shocked and gutted at this pivotal fork in the road, I felt stuck. I had not remembered a time where gymnastics wasn’t what I was doing. Quitting, as my coaches had always taught me, was the last resort. Quitting is not in a gymnast’s vocabulary. It defi nitely was not a thought of mine. I had always felt like a gymnast was who I was, and who I would continue to be. After contemplation, I realized that the constant physical pain in various parts of my body

was horribly unhealthy. Even before my knee injury, I had wondered if after college gymnastics was over, the injuries I had sustained would negatively impact me for the rest of my life. I took the time sitting at home throughout the summer, icing my knee and completing hours of physical therapy, to fi nally send the message to my coaches. Once the email sent, it felt like time had stopped. For the fi rst time in my life, I had no idea where I was going. I just took the next best step for me. In a way, it felt like all my hard work had been for nothing. Those countless hours in the For the fi rst time gym, the literal blood, sweat and in my life, I had tears were all undone by a singular email. But refl ecting back on no idea where I everything that I did to get to was going. I just where I am today, I wouldn’t have asked for it to be any other way. took the next best Gymnastics not only transformed my life, it boosted my step for me. confi dence, stratifi ed my work -Abby Nevin ’23 ethic and established my ability to create infl uential and lasting bonds with those around me. Since the summer, I have been able to invest my time in the things that I have found new passion for, like journalism, spending time with friends and even joining the Staples diving team. I will always have love for gymnastics, and although it broke my heart to say goodbye, I am forever grateful for all the experiences and lessons the sport provided me.

BREAKS AND BONDS

Over Nevin’s 10 years of gymnastics, she built strong friendships but had to quit due to numerous injuries.

LEVEL NINE

Nevin was a strong gymnast approaching level 10 , with her favorite event being the uneven bars.

SPORTS | 19 Track & fi eld team gears up for nationals

Graphic by Shivali Kanthan ’24

FOUR YEAR ATHLETE

Jalen St. Fort ’22 is competing at the New Balance Nationals after Balance Nationals after being on the boys’ track team all four years of high school. Arts Editor

Photo contributed by Barry Guiduli

Staples’ indoor track and fi eld team has been dominating the competition this season, with the boys winning the 2022 FCIAC Champion title. Now, both Champion title. Now, both the boys’ and girls’ teams are the boys’ and girls’ teams are training for the New Balance training for the New Balance Nationals, which will be hapNationals, which will be happening from March 11 to 13. pening from March 11 to 13. The national championship is taking place at The Armory Track, located in New York City. Student athletes from all over the country are traveling to the venue to compete. To qualify, students have to meet some of the fastest high school times nationally, making it an immense achievement for these Staples runners. To participate in the meet, runners must qualify for specifi c events by making certain times. Francine Stevens ’23, a member of the Staples girls’ track and fi eld team, is running the 60 meter, 200 meter, 4x200 meter relay and sprint medley relay (SMR), and is looking forward to the meet. “I’m super excited since nationals will have the best runners in the country so there will be lots of competition,” Stevens said. “This makes it a really good opportunity to get a personal best.” All of these athletes’ hard work boils to the last second on the clock, and although the athletes are pumped to run, they are defi nitely feeling pressure. Samir Mott ’22 is competing in the SMR with three other teammates, and

is hoping to bring home a win. “To be honest I feel nervous as we have a title to uphold and expectations to meet,” Mott said. To prepare for the big day, the athletes have been altering their workouts to put them in the best shape. They have been lifting in the weight room and have been taking rest days between their hard runs. Molly Liles ’22 is also running in the SMR and is excited to go since she was unable to compete last year. “My teammates and I are The national championship really close and we are exis taking place at The Armory tremely grateful to have this Track, located in New York City. opportunity to race at this Student athletes from all over the monumental meet,” Liles said. country are traveling to the venue Due to COVID-19, there to compete. To qualify, students are certain regulations that have to meet some of the fast- make racing different from priest high school times nationally, or years. Athletes are required making it an immense achieve- to wear masks during their ment for these Staples runners. races and while cheering their To participate in the meet, teammates on, as well as show runners must qualify for specifi c proof of vaccination when enevents by making certain times. tering the building. Zach TaubFrancine Stevens ’23, a member man ’22, who is running in the of the Staples girls’ track and fi eld 4x4 relay at nationals, is happy team, is running the 60 meter, that the meet is still happening. 200 meter, 4x200 meter relay and “I feel pretty confi dent in sprint medley relay (SMR), and our team because we’ve been is looking forward to the meet. training really hard,” Taubman “I’m super excited since na- said. “We are just extremely tionals will have the best runners grateful for the opportunity to in the country so there will be lots actually have the race this year.” of competition,” Stevens said. The athletes have high goals “This makes it a really good op- going into the meet and are eager portunity to get a personal best.” to compete to the best of their All of these athletes’ hard ability. They want to positively work boils to the last second on represent Staples and place well. the clock, and although the ath- “I feel as if we have the letes are pumped to run, they are chance to do something great, defi nitely feeling pressure. Samir not only for our team but for StaMott ’22 is competing in the SMR ples as a whole,” Mott said. “We with three other teammates, and want to come back with a ring.”