North Carolina State University Athletics
Inside the Chalk Box: Lane Jarred
9/17/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
RALEIGH, N.C. - In this week’s Inside the Chalk Box, senior Lane Jarred discusses the team’s first week of fall practice and being a leader for the 2014-15 season. Inside the Chalk Box is written by one of the student-athletes on the NC State gymnastics team, discussing the team’s preparation for the season.
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By Lane Jarred
Since the start of school, our team has been actively working hard inside the gym at our optional, student-led practices. We also have been riding bikes and conditioning both in the weight room and inside the gym. However, a week ago we officially began our mandatory practices. The difference between optional and mandatory practice is we now have specific assignments and can have guidance from our coaches. Mandatory practices also marks the start of preseason, which is the time we use to perfect our skills, add new skills and build up each other’s confidence so that we’ll be meet ready come the start of the season in January.
Our current focus is getting each member of the team in shape and building their endurance so it makes our routines easier when it comes time to do them. New for our team this year is a workout circuit that is done alongside of our bike workout. Also, our team has come up with a few cheers for the beginning and end of practice to help motivate and remind us why we should put in the hard work. Although we have only had a few practices, there is a high expectation in the gym to work hard and to be as best prepared for the season as possible.
The freshmen are doing a great job and are adjusting to the team and practices. They have a lot of enthusiasm and it’s easy to tell that they are determined to make the lineups and make an impact on this team.
As for me, I’m excited to be a senior this year, because I feel that it has more of an influential role and as a leader I can find more ways to directly impact the team. I feel confident that my experiences over the past three years have prepared me to help others and serve as a positive role model for my teammates. I enjoy coming up with team activities and ideas to make sure that things are fun and exciting among all the hard work and studying we do. As a senior, I also feel it’s my job to oversee the well-being of my team, such as making sure our priorities are straight, that our team of about 20 girls is getting along, and everyone is generally happy. These things have a huge impact on our athletic performance as a team and as a senior; I want to be there to help my teammates like the seniors prior to me were there for me!
One of our goals for this year is to strengthen our teamwork and faith in each other, as we believe that’s the key to a successful year. We already seem to have great team chemistry and this has helped us on starting off the year on a positive note. As a team we've been having a lot of fun not only inside the gym but outside as well. For now, we want to continue staying excited to work hard but as we get closer to season. We will come up with more specific goals and expectations for competitions and the season as a team, but I can already say that we’re prepared to make a "Statement" this year! GO PACK!
