Gymnastics He Said She Said

He Said, She Said

He Said, She Said is a continuing diary from the Coaches Cook. Find out what’s going on with the team on an ongoing basis.

February 23, 2005
Mark’s comments on the season thus far.

It is not always easy for a team to be on for every competition. Most of the time, a team is a little off and continually makes adjustments as they go along. Once in a while a team will get into the ‘Zone’ and just rock everything. The main thing is that you continue to fight, never giving up. I learned a saying from another coach years back, and I often repeat it to our girls. ‘Adapt, Migarate, or Die’. It is all about adapting.This past Friday against Florida, we were a little off. We counted a fall on bars and a few bobbles on the other events. We did rock vault, and there were some individual oustanding performances. However, the success of the night was not that we gave Florida a run for their money, but that our team showed tenacity and maturity throughout the entire meet.

That was one of the things I observed wihle coaching at UCLA in the late 1990’s. Now we are not UCLA, but the grit and determination that this team is showing reminds me of those girls and the pride that went along with being a Bruin. I feel this teamis equallly committed to each other and have great pride in being a ‘GymBack’.I am also finding myself becoming more emotional as I get older. The passion and love I have for this program runs deep. It is tied to the team, staff, department, and community. If you don’t know what it is like to have random people in your community walk up to you when you are eating lunch at a restaurant and say, ‘Thank you for all you do.’ it is priceless! Not every day is easy, nor every experience positive, but I wouldn’t trade where I am or what I am doing with anyone!!!Go GymBacks!