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Randy York's N-Sider
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We are f-a-m-i-l-y
I got all my sisters with me
We are f-a-m-i-l-y
Get up ev'rybody and sing
I have no idea if Sister Sledge is in anyone's iPod, iPad or iAnything when Nebraska boards its flight to Cleveland, Ohio, Wednesday for the 2011 NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championships.
I know this, though: If there was ever a team that exemplifies the upbeat "We Are Family" theme, it's the Nebraska women's gymnastics team that finished second in its Corvallis, Ore., regional, but goes into this weekend's NCAA meet with a fully bonded family that's determined to surprise everyone with a top-six national finish.
"We are a family. We've created that special bond, and that's what makes it so exciting," said Brittnee Habbib, a senior from North York, Ontario Canada. "Once you're on this team, you have 11 more sisters who will stick with you forever. Not many places can promise you that."
"We're so excited that we've begun to restore the order of where we all believe that Nebraska is capable of competing," said Lora Evenstad, a junior from Grand Forks, N.D. "I'm excited that we're peaking right now at the perfect moment. We're about to get off the bus in Ohio and show everyone what Nebraska gymnastics is all about!"
Janelle Giblin, a sophomore from San Ramon, Calif., is big part of the family and echoes her teammates' confidence. "I would say Nationals is the best meet of the year. It's a time for us to shine," she said. "Our team is so confident, and we have so much trust in each other. I'm just so excited to go out there and perform for the last time this season."
Even freshman Emily Wong, whose first and last Big 12 Conference meet was a championship experience, feels a deep sense of family in her first year as a Husker.
"It's my first NCAA meet, and it's a dream come true to finally be here!" Wong said. "To have a big-time team has been amazing all season for me, and we've become so close. It will be so much fun because we have the potential to go really far."
If you don't believe the youngest member of this "We Are Family" team, then take a look at what the N-Sider gleaned from the distributed leadership, recruited and coached by Dan Kendig, Danna Durante and Tim Garrison.
Sister Sledge didn't have Nebraska Women's Gymnastics in mind when these lyrics became popular, but they still ring true for the close-knit Huskers:
Living life is fun and we've just begun
To get our share of the world's delights
high hopes we have for the future
And our goal's in sight
You would never know the Huskers are not among the top six national seeds. They are living life in fun and have only just begun to imagine something great happening in Cleveland.
Read the emotions, thoughts and feelings of a Husker senior, junior, sophomore and freshman and tell me just which team - sorry, which family - intends to have the most fun in Cleveland this weekend.
Brittnee Habbib, Senior, North York, Ontario Canada
Best performance this season: Big 12 Championship at Mizzou. The atmosphere was amazing and performances on both bars and beam were very good. I was pleased with myself and with my team. I scored a 9.85 on beam and on bars. I loved the gym suits we performed in and I love the pride I felt at the end of each routine. It was wonderful to finally win a Big 12 championship with my team. Standing up on the first plaver podium with the award was a dream come true.
Why I'm excited about competing as a team in the NCAA meet: We have grown immensely as a team, and I cannot wait to show the world how hard our team has been working, day-in and day-out at the gym. We were the "underdogs" at Big 12s and I'm sure we are underdogs at Nationals. Our team has great spirits, and we have a lot of fun together. This competition is our last one together, and we will make the best of it.
Most poignant memory from winning the last Big 12 Championship: After that last vault was stuck, we knew we had it. Huddling with the group and looking into each others' eyes confirmed the joy. It was a wonderful feeling.
What I like most about competing for Nebraska: We are a family. We have created that special bond, and that is what makes it so exciting.
Why I believe strongly that Nebraska is a traditional power: We practice hard and that is what's expected of us. We signed up knowing that we need to put in hard work. This is what keeps Nebraska women's gymnastics so strong.
What I tell prospective recruits who are comparing Lincoln to somewhere else: At Nebraska, you can be yourself!! If you like to dance, bust a move at the end of your beam routine!! Haha. Seriously, Nebraska is full of love, and the coaches and your teammates are always looking out for your best interest. Once you're on this team, you have 11 more sisters that will stick with you forever. Not many places can promise that.
Best thing our coaching staff does to motivate and keep us all on the same page: We always know what to expect. We know what our practices consist of, and we just need to follow their lead.
Lora Evenstad, Junior, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Best performance this season: My bar routine at the University of Michigan. Right before saluting the judge, Kylee Botterman of Michigan scored a perfect 10.0 on the vault, and the crowd was the loudest I've ever heard as I mounted the bar. I scored a career-high 9.95.
Why I'm excited about competing as a team in the NCAA meet: This is everything to us. We have all worked so hard for this all year, and its finally here!!! We are so excited that we have begun to restore the order of where we all believe that Nebraska gymnastics is capable of competing. I am excited that we are peaking right now at the perfect moment. We are about to get off the bus in Ohio and show everyone what Nebraska gymnastics is about!
Most poignant memory from winning the last Big 12 Championship: I remember the energy level. Everyone was screaming and smiling the whole meet. We felt so unified as a team, and everyone seemed so at ease while performing. We came in prepared and comfortable. Going to vault last, our best event, we were ahead and knew we would win. It feels amazing to accomplish goals you have been working so hard for.
What I like most about competing for Nebraska: I love the constant support we have from our athletic department, academic staff, coaches, and each other. We have top-of-the-line facilities for all our needs, and some of the best fans in the nation. I appreciate the opportunities we have to give back to the community and to be a positive influence on those around us.
Why I believe strongly that Nebraska is a traditional power: Nebraska gymnastics has a very rich tradition. There have been numerous event and all-around individual national champions who have succeeded here. Our program has been a powerhouse in the Big 12 and has qualified for many national championship events. We are all honored to be a part of a program this strong.
What I tell prospective recruits who are comparing Lincoln to somewhere else: Nebraska is a school that treats its athletes the best anyone can. You will have all the support you need in every aspect of your life. Because of all of this, people succeed equally in academics and athletics.
Best thing our coaching staff does to motivate us and keep us all on the same page: Our coaches are always supportive of us in and out of the gym. They are about us and push us to be better people as well as better athletes. Together we are able to set and achieve our goals.
Janelle Giblin, Sophomore, San Ramon, California
Best performance this season: My best performance was our home meet against Arizona State. This was the meet where we got a 197.3, the highest score of the season. This was also my highest all-around score of the season with a 39.275. Overall, this was the meet where every single person on our team laid it on the line. We all stepped onto that floor knowing that we were the best out there, and it showed. The Arizona State meet was the one that boosted our confidence and set us up to win Big 12s and place in the top two at the regional in Oregon.
Why I'm excited about competing as a team in the NCAA meet: I would say Nationals is the best meet of the year. It's a time for us to shine. Our team this year is so confident, and we have so much trust in each other. I'm just excited to go out there and perform for the last time this season.
Most poignant memory from winning the last Big 12 Championship: I think that the memory I will always remember is watching Erin stick her vault landing on the last rotation, and the whole team just running down the runway, knowing that we just won Big 12's. It gives me the chills every time I think about it.
What I like most about competing for Nebraska: The thing I like most is getting the opportunity to do something I love with the people that I love. We are so close. We basically live, eat and sleep with one another, and it is just such a fun environment each and every time we're out there competing.
Why I believe strongly that Nebraska is a traditional power: Nebraska has always been strong in women's gymnastics, and it's not just luck. We work for our top spot. We train like we're the best. We have confidence in one another, and we don't take no for an answer.Not only do we work hard in the gym, but also in academics. We strive for perfection and that's what Nebraska Women's Gymnastics is all about.
What I tell prospective recruits who are comparing Lincoln to somewhere else: Well, I chose Nebraska for a variety of reasons - the team itself, the coaching staff, and the facilities that are available for student-athletes. When I talk to recruits who are making their decision on where to go to college, I let them know how many opportunities the University of Nebraska offers. If they choose Nebraska, they will become part of the family and be able to experience competing for a team that has so much love and determination for the sport of gymnastics.
Best thing our coaching staff does to motivate us and keep us on the same page: Mainly, they keep us positive. They step into the gym with the mindset that our team is going to step up and improve every single day. Their upbeat energy in the gym and their confidence shows us how much they care about this team. They let us know that we have so much potential and that we have the capability to be the best team out there.
Emily Wong, Freshman, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Best performance this season: Arizona State! 197.3! It was our best because we showed confidence all the way through, and it showed in the end. We had so much fun and supported each other through the whole time!
Why I'm excited about competing as a team in the NCAA meet: It's my first NCAA meet, and it's a dream come true to finally be here! To have a big-time team has been amazing all season for me, and we have become so close. It will be so much fun because we have the potential to go really far.
Most poignant memory from winning the last Big 12 Championship: It was my first and last Big 12 Championship and to win it was an amazing experience. The excitement and the fun the team had together made it an amazing experience.
What I like most about competing for Nebraska: I love having a team! Everyone has each other's back and is always there for one another. I can go to any one of my teammates if I have a problem, and they will help me. We have so much fun together, and it has been amazing getting to know everyone this year. There is never a dull moment and I love it!
What I tell prospective recruits who are comparing Lincoln to somewhere else: They ask how I like it here and I tell them the truth: I love it! The coaches, the team, and all the support are amazing. Academically and athletically, people are always there for you, and they encourage you to do your best.
Best thing our coaching staff does to motivate and keep us all on the same page: They tell us that they believe in us, and we are capable of big things. The best thing that they say for me is: "Trust your training." We have worked so hard in the gym, so when we get out on the floor we need to trust it and put it all out there! They put confidence in us.