Since the 2008 Summer Olympics, Northwestern gymnastics club team president Meredith Rogers said she has seen an increased interest in the sport on campus.
“I tell people that I am on the gymnastics team, and they are like, ‘That is cool,”‘ Rogers said.
The Northwestern gymnastics team was founded in 2003 by then sophomore Alex Lauder. The team is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Gymnastics Clubs.
Though the Olympics put gymnastics on the map in student’s minds, it has not led to more students joining the gymnastics team, Rogers said.
“Gymnastics is a specialized sport, so not a lot of people come to Northwestern and decide to try gymnastics,” Rogers said.
The NU team does not hold tryouts, and it is not necessary to have done gymnastics before to be on the team. Still, most people who join have a lot of gymnastics experience under their belts.
“Most people are interested because they did gymnastics before and want to continue,” Rogers said.
The 10-member team practices on Tuesday and Thursday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Wilmette Gymnastics. Since the team practices off campus, the time commitment extends beyond four hours a week due to transportation time.
“We get back around 10:30 on Tuesday and Thursday, so you kind of lose two nights in which you could have been doing work,” Rogers said.
However, gymnastics is worth the time for Rogers. “My favorite part about gymnastics at Northwestern is the atmosphere during practice,” Rogers said. “Lots of people are there because they love the sport.”
Because the team does not have a coach, Rogers acts in that capacity by organizing practices and competitions.
Although it appears to be a lot of work, she said the job is not difficult. “Everyone is there because they love gymnastics, so it is not hard,” Rogers said.
Team Treasurer Gib Flocker agreed. “It is not too strenuous, but we get a great work out,” he said. “We are pretty self motivated.”
As treasurer, Flocker makes sure team members have paid their gym fees. Later in the year, he will take care of competition fees, as well.
The team usually participates in two or three competitions every year. Club team members are not required to compete. This year they plan to go to three meets: at Purdue University, University of Notre Dame, and Miami University. They will also go to nationals in Atlanta this April.
“It is a club sport,” Rogers said. “It is not very competitive, but it is fun.”