Every time I walk into the Bob Devaney Sports Center, I’m reminded of why I’m here. I see my dad’s picture right in front of me. His name, along with my mom’s, is literally engraved on the awards wall that I walk by every single day.
Seeing it as often as I do, you’d think I’d feel some extra pressure here at Nebraska.
Not a chance.
If anything, it makes me proud to carry on their legacy. My parents are my biggest cheerleaders, and they’ve never pressured me into doing anything I didn’t want to do.
I made the decision to continue gymnastics and come here to compete.
In a strange way, everything feels like it’s come full-circle with me walking the same campus my parents did all of those years ago. My dad was a two-time NCAA champion and an Olympian in 1988, and my mom lettered during her time here.
It’s touching and sentimental to pick back up where they left off and carve out a path of my own.
The Last School on the List
Of course, that wasn’t always my mindset.
There was a time when I was committed to going down a different path than my parents. As a 15-year-old at the time, I just wanted to do my own thing, you know?
The distance was also an issue. I’m from North Carolina, and Nebraska is in the middle of the country—in the Midwest. I’d never been out so far, and I had no idea what to expect being on my own in a completely different state.
Just a sort of nervousness of the unknown, honestly.
So I went on all of my recruiting trips, and finally, inevitably, I concluded the process with Nebraska being the last school on that list. Looking back, I guess you really could say I saved the best for last!
After spending all of that time thinking about other schools, I visited Nebraska and absolutely fell in love with the place.
I just remember thinking to myself, “No way, this is really happening right now.”
I know what it’s like to go on trips, and you’re kind of just dragging your feet along with no real two-way connection. But it was nothing like that in my visit to Nebraska. I decided to come here because I felt wanted, and quite frankly, I just felt like I belonged.
At the time, I don’t think I really understood or appreciated how much my parents did for me. They took the time, money and effort to take me from school to school without trying to influence my decision the least bit.
Everything was in my power and control on where I wanted to go.
I visited here last, and I know it made them proud when I ultimately made the decision to sign. They have so many friends and colleagues here that I refer to as my Lincoln parents. Having people looking out for me really helps with the distance thing, too.
Mom and Dad's Secret Superpower
It’s all very cool to me because my parents actually kept their achievements and accolades kind of hidden when I was growing up. It was almost like their secret superpower or something.
They didn’t display much of it, which I’m kind of thankful for now because it never really dictated my love for the sport. I had two older sisters that competed as well before eventually moving on to other things later in life.
I’ve just always had a passion for the sport, and I truly believe it’s my purpose.
I actually bring up my dad a lot because he’s been such a big role model in my life. It’s not about the accolades, his legacy, or anything of the sort—no, it’s about how he and my mom never pressured me. You can’t put a price on that kind of relationship.
Some gym parents are pretty hard on their kids and have all of these expectations, but my parents never fail to tell me I’m good enough.
And I’m forever grateful for that.
Granted, I wasn’t super open to them giving me pointers and corrections when I was younger. I just wanted them to be my parents, not my coaches back then.
Now, however, I’ll take whatever advice I can get from them.
I’d send them videos with a million questions behind them. “Can you please watch this? What can I do better? What do you think is going to help me?”
And my personal favorite, “I know it isn’t exciting, but can you look at what I just did?”
They always give me great insight because they’re proud for me to carry on their legacy as well.
Seeking New Heights
I’m motivated more than ever to utilize this talent my parents passed down to the best of my ability.
In a sense, I almost feel a bit of a responsibility as I’m the only one of their three daughters that made the decision to continue on in this sport.
I think about that whenever I’m competing or entering the arena at Devaney. But most of all, I think about my parents. I think of their journey and everything they must have gone through to get to where they are today.
If anything, it helps give me some perspective on my journey.
They understand what I’m doing and the things I’m going through because they’ve already gone through it. I’d say through that understanding, along with the distance, we’ve actually grown closer as a family.
There isn’t a day that goes by that I’m not on the phone with them.
I just hope they know how proud I am to call them my parents and to be able to walk in their footsteps. I still remember telling everyone to “Google my dad” when I was younger.
I’m pretty proud of the achievements I’ve had in my short time here as well—event titles, conference titles, and even getting Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Week. Making it to NCAA Regionals as an individual was a major accomplishment for me as well.
But the goal is to do even better this year.
I’m setting the bar even higher.
We have a very strong team with new faces. So I think we’ll be able to make some new strides. I can’t wait to work with this new team see how far we can go.
But most importantly, Mom, Dad — this is for you.
I just hope they know how proud I am to call them my parents and to be able to walk in their footsteps.
Kinsey Davis