North Carolina State University Athletics
Katz Overcomes Injury to Help Lead Pack
8/2/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Aug. 2, 2005
Raleigh, N.C. - Injuries are part of sports. Injuries happen to everybody. Injuries are something that everybody remembers.
For NC State gymnast Rachel Katz, an ankle injury was something that ruined her sophomore campaign last season. Katz was the Pack's top performer and enjoying success on vault, as well as having a strong season on both bars and floor. But one floor routine changed all that in a hurry.
While the Pack was competing at Cal-Berkeley in one of the last regular season meets of the year, Katz succumbed to injury. Making her first pass on floor, Katz landed awkwardly and rolled her ankle. The pain was so much that she was unable to finish her routine. Further than that one routine, Katz's season was basically over.
She missed the next meet against West Virginia, and she was also forced to sit out the EAGL Championships hosted by the Pack. She did return two weeks later for the NCAA Regionals, but only competed on bars. The most frustrating part of hurting her ankle was that there was no real cure to get better. The only thing Katz could do was try to stay off her feet and hope for a quick recovery.
"It was very rough not being able to compete the last few meets of last season," said the rising junior. "Actually the first meet I knew I was going to miss I didn't even want to go to it. I knew for the first time in awhile I wasn't going to be able to be out there with the rest of my teammates. It was hard, especially since I've always been out there in every meet since I've been at NC State. I took a lot of time off right after the season, and just did rehab."
Katz has competed on three events while at NC State - vault, bars and floor. While she enjoys doing all three, she was named All-EAGL second team for floor this past season, Katz not only has enjoyed the most success on vault, but it is her favorite. Last year she was named to the All-EAGL first team for vault for the second straight year, despite missing the final three meets. She was the Pack's top vaulter once again last year, winning the vault title in five of the first six meets of the season. She never scored below a 9.775, and only failed to notch a 9.8 once (in the first meet of the season). Also, Katz finished in the top-five in every meet she competed on vault a year ago.
"I'm a very powerful gymnast, so I think that is why I would say vault is my best event," said Katz. "My club coach when I was in high school was a nationally known vault coach, and he was looked upon for his techniques and he just taught me well."
While she has enjoyed success on vault, bars and floor during her first two years, Katz would like to add the beam to her routine and compete in the all-around for the Pack.
"I practice all four events, but I've only competed on three here at NC State," said Katz. "This year one of my goals would be to get in the line-up and compete in the all-around."
The NC State coaches are expecting Katz not only to have another strong season, but expect her to take on more of the role of team leader going into her junior season. This is something that Katz is looking forward too.
"I like being a leader, and I like having people look up to me," said Katz. "It is a big step for me because I can't slack off in the gym, and I just have to be on top of my game so I can help lead by example. I've always tried to think of myself as a leader, especially with my work ethic in the gym."
Katz is also excited about the addition of a new assistant coach for this upcoming season. Karen Pleasants was a top NC State gymnast herself at one time, and will come in and help the Pack right away.
"She is going to be coaching beam and working with us on our floor dances," said Katz. "She is a judge so she will be really good with technique and bonus combinations, and telling us what the judges will be looking for. She is taking what we have, and then adding to that what the judges want to see. She is very knowledgeable, and it helps she was a former gymnast here."
The Bloomington, Indiana, native came a long way to come to NC State. But there was little doubt in her mind that this was the right school for her.
"I went to AAU nationals in Charlotte in 1997 and ever since then I knew I wanted to live in this state," said Katz. "So when NC State offered me a scholarship I took it. It is such a beautiful campus here, and when I first met the girls on the team everybody was just amazing and I really wanted to be a part of that."
While spending a lot of time in the gym and in the weight room, Katz has been in Raleigh all summer taking summer school courses. She has appeared on the EAGL's All-Academic squad both years she has been at NC State, and is working towards a degree in biology with a concentration in nutrition.
Having both a full summer of classes and training for the upcoming season on her plate, Katz also found time for a summer job which she hopes will help her after graduation. Katz has spent most summer afternoons working at Edible Art Bakery & Cafe, a bakery on Hillsborough Street that creates speciality cakes.
"My job is really fun and easy going without a whole lot of stress," said Katz. "It is pretty laid back, I take cake orders, and I do some decorating. And now I'm starting to do teammates cakes on my own time. I would eventually like to design wedding cakes, and hopefully get my own business doing that after my gymnastics career."
