Helloooo Ladies Fans! This is freshman Sophie Schmitz here with your weekly Gym Talk. This week's Gym Talk is going to be a bit different. As the Fall 2022 semester has ended, I am going to share a little about my first semester experience here at Centenary and what it's like to be a Lady!
Not many people can say they started college by taking an August term course that included a 9-day trip to Paris, France with their entire freshman class. This experience is one I won't forget as I got to see many exciting things, make new lifelong friends, and become better prepared for the next step of college awaiting me when we got back. After Paris, things really began to take off as everyone else began to move in, classes were starting, and my new lifestyle at Centenary was becoming real. The Ladies started this semester off by facing some challenges with a sudden change in coaching staff, but thanks to the returning gymnast, the freshman still had a warm and comforting welcome. Shoutout to senior Lacey Wedge for making the trip to welcome and be with the other freshman and I on our early move in day! Another shoutout to senior Rose Deshler for being with the freshman at our first practice and helping us adjust to the new gym.
Having the team to help me through my first semester was super helpful and much appreciated! They helped me figure out my schedule, adjust to my home away from home, and learn what it means to be a Centenary Lady Gymnast. Fall break came quickly, and that meant it was time for official practices! The Ladies came back to campus early during the break to have our annual team retreat. This was my first one, and so many memories and friendships were made that I will hold onto for a lifetime. After the retreat, I felt closer to the team than I had all semester. Not long after that, we had our sister reveal night, where the freshmen were put into different sister families on the team. I was put into my team family with Izzie Plaza and Taylor Wilson being my sisters! This also brought me closer to the team as I began to get to know everyone a little bit better.
I am so thankful to be a part of the Lady's Gymnastics team because I get to do the sport that I love with my teammates who also love this sport. As the semester was ending, we kicked off our final's week with an intrasquad! This made me so excited for season, and I can't believe it's almost here! With much studying and preparation, I made it through all my finals and finished out my first semester here at Centenary! I am so ready to see what next semester holds and get to compete as a Centenary Lady in my first collegiate gymnastics season!
Thanks for tuning in to this week's Gym Talk. This is Sophie Schmitz passing it over to my fellow freshman Claire Flores!
PS: Don't forget to mark your calendars for our intrasquad in the Gold Dome on January 8th!
