North Carolina State University Athletics
Inside the Chalk Box: Michaela Woodford
1/8/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
RALEIGH, N.C. - In this week’s Inside the Chalk Box, junior Michaela Woodford discusses the excitement building up to the first meet of the 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.
By Michaela Woodford
Meet season is finally here. This friday will not only be the first home meet but will also mark the start of our 2015 season and I know I speak for everyone when I say we could not be any more excited. We have all been working very hard throughout this preseason and I believe we are more than ready to kick off the season with an energetic start. This year a lot of things are different. For starters we have a fairly new team this year since we have six new freshmen. However, they each bring something new to the table and have really meshed well with our team. The team has great chemistry which is a great way to head into a long season. Another difference is the beginning of our season will start out with a home meet. This is my third season with the Wolfpack and my first two years here; our first meet was an away meet.
I, like the rest of my teammates, look forward to this time every year. Competitive season for gymnasts brings a thrill that can’t really be described. There is nothing like marching out, representing your school, and showing off your routines that you’ve worked so hard on all preseason. Not to mention, this year for the team is extra special since at the end of our season, Reynolds Coliseum which opened back in 1949, will be renovated. Competing at home for the Wolfpack is an amazing feeling because we have such a dedicated fan base. Looking out into the crowd and seeing our friends and family in the stands cheering us on always gives us that added rush to do that much better. It is always reassuring when you hear the cheers coming from the crowd while performing a routine. The feeling you get from competing at home is truly an experience you can’t replicate.
Personally my favorite part about season is being able to represent the Wolfpack with my teammates especially after a long preseason. I also enjoy how close our team becomes throughout the year. Season brings a lot of traveling and long weeks in which we spend a lot of time together. It seems as if we do everything together. We eat meals together, we travel together, we continue practicing together and we all become so close. For us, the season is a time where we lean on each other a lot and it’s a great feeling to know that no matter what, your teammates have each other’s backs. In my opinion season is the best time of the year.
Being a part of the NC State gymnastics team is an unforgettable experience and I feel so honored to be a member of the Wolfpack! Tomorrow our wait is over and we will go up against the Denver gymnastics’ team. We look forward to seeing all the familiar faces and hope to see some new friends cheering us on. I said this year a lot of things were different and perhaps the biggest difference of all is we are beyond ready to make a #STATEment!
