North Carolina State University Athletics
'Inside the Chalk Box' Thanks the 2003 Seniors
3/6/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
March 6, 2003
Raleigh, N.C. - Coming off a season-high score last weekend of 196.100, the Wolfpack are excited to have one more opportunity to compete on their home floor this season. For the seniors, Saturday will be a night to remember. Their coaches and teammates will honor each of them as they mark the last home meet of their gymnastics career.
Each of the seniors has been a valuable member of the team, showing leadership, strong work ethic, and obvious talent. They each have many fond memories of exciting trips, thrilling competitions, practical jokes, and special bonds they have formed with their teammates. Each of them has shared a brief special moment they will carry with them forever.
CARA DOUGHERTY - Throughout her career at NC State, Cara has competed bars, beam and floor and has shown tremendous improvement on each event over the last four years. Cara loves to perform on floor, and is one of the best beam workers in the country. "I have so many great memories that are special to me, it is hard to single one out. But I guess I'd have to say the trip to the Bahamas last year. I went snorkeling with the sharks, had my hair braided, and we even won the meet."
MARLYN MADEY - Marlyn is a senior, but will be competing next year as she has another year of eligibility. Marlyn's hard work has shown dramatic results. She has battled a chronic foot injury, and sat out of competition for three years (her senior year in high school and her first two years at NC State). She is now competing one of the most difficult bar routines around, and is a solid competitor on beam and floor. With so much talent still in store, we look forward to having Marlyn for one more year. "I sat out for three years, and my first meet back was the Bahamas. What a great place to start competing again after so many years."
STEPHANIE SOUTHARD - Competing as a walk-on for two years, Stephanie earned herself a scholarship for her last two years at NC State. Stephanie excels both in the classroom and in the gym. In addition to carrying a 4.0 in biomedical engineering, Stephanie has been one of State's most consistent competitors. Stephanie competed bars and vaulting for the Pack all four years, rarely missing a beat. Stephanie remembers some special bonding moments with her teammates. "One of my most memorable moments was winning EAGL my freshman year. During our byes, we made up a dance in the locker room to calm our nerves. And when went to NCAA Regionals in Florida, we sang to Kelly Brown before she went up to do her last bar routine of her career. We all came together with smiles on our faces, cheered a lot, and most of all, we had fun!"
ADINA STOCK - Adina's senior year has been the peak of her career at State. Her hard work has allowed her to compete three events successfully this year, including vault, bars and floor. She has taken it upon herself to be a strong leader this year with a responsible work ethic. Although Adina reflects on some amusing moments of her years at State, the most important to her involves a team bonding moment. "When three people went down (were injured and pulled from the meet) at our first meet this season, people stepped up and we pulled together to become one of the strongest teams I've ever seen. It was an awesome feeling to be a part of that."
AIMEE PANTON - Aimee continued to bounce back from injuries that many would consider "career-ending" to become one of the most talented and successful student-athletes NC State has seen. Aimee has now retired from her gymnastics career due to injuries and is currently studying Counselor Education in Graduate School. She received recognition for her accomplishments at senior night last year. Aimee will be greatly missed by her teammates and coaches, but her persistence and determination will continue to be an inspiration to all of us.
The NC State coaches and teammates are grateful for all of their seniors for they have done for the Wolfpack gymnastics team.
Come show support for our seniors on this Saturday at 7pm in Reynolds Coliseum as they wrap up their last home meet of the season.
Check out "Inside the Chalk Box" next week as the Wolfpack Gymnastics Team prepares for a road trip stretch. Any questions or suggestions for this column may be e-mailed to assistant coach Colleen Johnson at cjncstate@hotmail.com.
