Beyond the Mat: The Heart and Hustle of Centenary Gymnastics
Gymnastics is often seen as a sport of grace and precision, but behind every flawless routine lies years of dedication, perseverance, and an unshakable bond between teammates. The Centenary gymnastics team recently showcased all of this and more in their latest competition, proving that their talent extends far beyond the mat.
For Olivia Williams, gymnastics has been a part of her life since she was four years old. What started as a way to improve her motor skills and overcome early challenges soon became a lifelong passion. Now, as a Centenary athlete, she sees every performance as an opportunity to display her hard work and resilience. “We are all here because we love gymnastics,” she said. “We get to show off our hard work to friends and family.”
Competing, however, is never without its challenges. The hardest part for Williams is not the technical difficulty of the routines but the mental stamina needed to push through exhaustion. “Keeping a smile on my face when I’m tired during my routine is tough,” she admitted. But when she sticks her landing and hears the crowd erupt in cheers, it makes all the effort worth it.
Cecilia Paredes shares that same love for the sport, a love that has driven her for the past 12 years. Her journey started with casual flips on a trampoline before she was encouraged to join a competitive team. Now, as a Centenary gymnast, her motivation comes not just from personal growth but from the team itself. “It is about showing what great student-athletes we are—our hard work, determination, and dedication to Centenary,” she said.
For Paredes, stepping onto the mat is an exhilarating experience, fueled by the presence of her teammates and the support of friends and family. “Nothing about the competition was hard,”
she said confidently. “My team has my back, and that’s what keeps me going.” Her standout moment? Hitting all her passes and delivering a solid routine for her team.
Sophie Schmitz, a senior and all-around competitor, has a deep appreciation for what it means to represent Centenary gymnastics. For her, it’s about continuing the legacy of the athletes who came before her. “So many amazing people have been a part of this team,” she said. “It inspires me to compete for a bigger purpose than just gymnastics.”
Competing in all four events—vault, bars, beam, and floor—demands both physical endurance and mental strength. By the time she reaches the final event, exhaustion sets in, but she pushes through. “This is where I tap into my mental toughness,” she explained. “I have to perform my best for the team.”
One of her proudest moments came when she led off on beam, setting the tone for the rest of her teammates. “I was able to confidently perform and make my routine,” she said. “That set the confidence level for the rest of the lineup.” This moment, along with her steady progress from competing in just one event to all four, reflects the growth she has experienced in her collegiate career.
For Schmitz, this season is particularly meaningful—it is her last. Having already qualified for nationals on bars twice, her goal is to make it to event finals and compete for a title. But beyond personal achievements, her biggest takeaway from this season has been watching her teammates improve. “It’s so exciting to see my teammates succeed and thrive in pressure situations,” she said.
As for what keeps them all going, the answer is simple: love for the sport and for each other. Whether it is Williams taking it one day at a time, Paredes finding joy in the moment, or
Schmitz drawing strength from her teammates, the Centenary gymnastics team is built on more than just skill—it is built on passion, perseverance, and an unbreakable team spirit.
Their journey is far from over, and as they continue to push boundaries, one thing is certain: Centenary gymnastics is not just about individual performances. It is about the collective strength of a team that lifts each other up, routine after routine, meet after meet.
