The 2013 season was the season of many firsts for the Lindenwood gymnastics team, including the celebration of its inaugural season. Other expected firsts included competing at the MIC Championships, setting new records, and continually breaking those records.
"Starting off the year we didn't have many expectations other than to set the culture, get the experience, and to teach these girls what college gymnastics is all about," said head coach Jen Kesler.
One of the many firsts that was not planned or fully expected was the crowning of a national champion.
After recording a personal best of 9.875 on the beam at the USAG National Semifinal, freshman Rachel Zabawa matched that score in the finals to go on to be named the 2013 USAG Co-National Champion.
"When I won I was shocked, surprised, and excited," stated Zabawa. "Knowing that I won the first national gymnastics title for Lindenwood was a very big accomplishment."
"I would have never expected to have a national champion crowned," said Kesler. "That just shows the true strength and depth that this team has. For Rachel specifically, to see her grow into her own throughout the year was really spectacular. She dealt with some mental blocks at the beginning of the year and to see her overcome that and end up being a national champion is amazing."
Leading up to the USAG National Event, Zabawa had recorded six routines with at least a 9.700 or better and four with at least 9.800 or better on the beam. In her other two events in which she also qualified for the national event, the vault and floor exercise, she recorded four scores of 9.800 or better and 16 routines with at least a 9.700 score.
"My preparation throughout the season was going into every practice and meet knowing that I could do every skill and being confident I would hit each routine," said Zabawa.
At nationals, Zabawa recorded a 9.700 on the floor exercise and a 9.750 on the vault. Her score in the vault was good enough to qualify for the finals where she averaged a 9.788, taking home fourth place in the event.
"My mindset was that I was going to be confident because I was in an arena that I had already competed in," said Zabawa. "I was competing with the best of the best. I had to give it my all and leave everything out on the floor."
Along with the successes of Zabawa, the entire Lindenwood gymnastics team has created accomplishments to be proud of. The biggest accomplishment was the qualification of the USAG Nationals by five other Lady Lions. Those who competed in the event included junior Emily Turik and freshmen Courtney Heise, Trystien Charles, Valeri Ingui, and Alicia Floyd. With only one score of at least a 9.700 value heading into the event, Floyd joined Zabawa in the finals as she hit her beam routine with a score of 9.850. She went on to finish seventh in the event finals with a score of 9.750.
"Nationals was an amazing experience," said freshman Courtney Heise. "Knowing you have made it that far and stepping into that arena was enough to give you chills."
One of the team accomplishments to be proud of is the improvement of over seven points throughout the season. The Lady Lions kicked off the inaugural season at a tri-meet against Denver and Penn State where they scored a 185.925.
With having the expectation of not knowing what to expect, Lindenwood was pleased with its start and knew that it was going to improve from there.
"At the beginning of the year, these girls didn't realize how talented they truly were, but after each competition and progressively getting better each meet, they got a taste of what they can be like in years to come," said Kesler.
The Lady Lions concluded the regular season at the MIC Championships where they scored a 193.050, finishing in fifth place overall, .150 points ahead of host school Centenary. Three members of the squad were recognized with all-conference honors, including Charles and Turik with first-team all-conference honors on the uneven bars and Heise with second-team all-conference in the all-around.
"That was the most rewarding part, was instilling the confidence in them to be successful and watching them grow into confident, young ladies by the end of the season," said Kesler. "Hearing endless comments about how great of a first class they were makes me honored to coach these athletes."
