Athletics

The Start of a New Journey

N Our Voice by Zac Tiderman

The Start of a New JourneyScott Bruhn

The room was ominous.

Chairs were spread six feet apart, everyone masked.

Even without seeing much facial expression, you could feel the collective tension.

It was my freshman year at Iowa, and this was the first meeting of the gymnastics program.

Little did I know, it would be a turning point in my career.

They began by stating that they had good and bad news.

The good news: we had one more year to compete.

The bad news: the program would be cut after the season.

It was one of the saddest days of my life.

Growing up a gymnast, competing at the Division I level was my ultimate goal, a dream snatched away in minutes.

Tears streamed down my face as the news sunk in.

My world felt upside down.

But amidst the heartbreak, a new beginning was taking shape.

Finding my Passion

I have been involved in gymnastics since I was four years old.

My mom put me in a gymnastics preschool called Westside Gymnastics in Tigard, Oregon, to help release some of my endless energy. I then moved to Omega Gymnastics when I was 9 years old.

I was always running around and getting into everything, so my mom thought gymnastics would be the perfect outlet for me.

And she turned out to be right.

Gymnastics became more than just a sport for me; it was a way of life.

Throughout my youth, I continued to progress in the sport and compete as a member of Omega Gymnastics.

My time at Omega turned me into the person and athlete I am today.

The friendships, the memories, and the lessons I learned at Omega have stayed with me throughout my entire gymnastics journey.

When it came to college, one of the biggest reasons I chose Iowa was because of my childhood friend, Peyton Hobson, who was on the team there.

He had a lot of influence on my recruiting process, and I was eager to join him and be part of something special.

Unfortunately, our time there would be short-lived.

Facing my First Setback

During my first meet, I landed awkwardly on my knee, experiencing intense pain.

Unable to straighten my leg, I hobbled to the trainer.

They were able to straighten my leg and alleviate the pain.

After being taped up, I returned to competition.

During warm-up, the pain returned.

Though I insisted on competing, the trainer wisely shut me down.

A week later, surgery confirmed a torn meniscus, ending my season and, ultimately, my Iowa gymnastics career.

"Seeing the program prosper filled me with pride, knowing it offered hope to those feeling lost after seeing the program get cut."

Zac Tiderman

Starting GymACT

Shaken but determined, I faced a difficult decision: stick it out at Iowa and compete in GymACT, a separate non-university league, or explore other Division I options.

After careful consideration, I chose to stay at Iowa and compete in GymACT.

I poured my heart into relaunching the program, raising $40,000 in funding. My childhood friend, Peyton, who had ended his career when the program was cut, agreed to coach.

Seeing the program prosper filled me with pride, knowing it offered hope to those feeling lost after seeing the program get cut.

Overcoming Another Hurdle

During my first season with GymACT, disaster struck again.

I tore my meniscus again.

I was devastated.

To have the program cut at Iowa and then suffer a severe injury in the first season of GymACT was extremely difficult to deal with.

But, with the help of my family, friends, and teammates, I was able to overcome this setback and come back stronger than ever.

We won the GymACT National Championship that year, and I was so proud of everything we accomplished as a team.

It was a testament to our hard work and dedication, and I was honored to be a part of such an incredible group of athletes.

And while I loved my time as a GymACT athlete, I knew in my heart that I wanted to return to Division I gymnastics and compete at the highest level once again.

So, I reached out to the University of Nebraska and expressed my interest in joining their program.

Coach Chmelka offered me the opportunity to compete at Nebraska and I couldn't have been more excited.

A Fresh Start and New Heights

Transferring to a new school and joining a new team presented challenges, but it also offered a fresh start and the opportunity to chase my dreams.

I was ecstatic to join the Huskers and compete against the nation's best.

From the moment I arrived, I felt welcomed and comfortable.

The coaching staff, teammates and the entire program embraced me with open arms.

I knew instantly it was the right decision.

In my first season, I thrived, earning All-American honors on vault.

This incredible honor, a moment etched in my memory, was a testament to overcoming adversity and a motivator to push further.

And push I did.

Recently, against Michigan, I set a personal and school record on high bar with a score of 14.65.

The elation of breaking the record was a powerful reminder of the rewards of hard work and dedication.

More importantly, it solidified my belief in my ability to overcome any challenge.

Looking Forward with Gratitude

From the knee injuries to the program cuts, I have faced my fair share of adversity in my gymnastics career.

But, with the support of my family, friends and teammates, I have been able to rise above it all and come out even stronger on the other side.

As I look ahead to the rest of this season and the rest of my time at Nebraska, I am excited for what the future holds.

I have big goals for the team, and I am committed to doing everything I can to help us succeed.

I would love to see us win the Big Ten title, for example.

And personally, I'm working towards receiving All-American honors again.

But I've learned that no matter what happens, I know that I can handle whatever comes my way.

The hardships I have faced in my life have prepared me for the uncertainties and challenges that lie ahead.

And I wouldn't have made it this far without the love and support of all the amazing people in my life.

After everything I've been through, it's truly a blessing to be a Husker now.