Warhawk Gymnastics

"One mind, one heart, one chance, one team, one dream..."

That is what our Warhawk Family believes in.  We are one family, training as one team, with ONE dream.  That dream could happen tonight.  The crazy dream that has somehow managed to allude us year after year.  The dream that has guided one Whitewater gymnast after another.  The dream of a national championship.  Whitewater has had several national champions in the sport of gymnastics, three of which I was so proud to witness, and even more proud to call those girls my teammates.  But never, has Whitewater been able to capture the coveted TEAM Championship.

The team has produced some amazing gymnasts, and even more, some amazing people.  People that I feel blessed to call my friends.  And through all of the success of this program we have been building... crafting... creating... believing, that one day, will be our day.  Every person who has been a part of this program whether a gymnast, coach, manager, administrator, or fan has brought another piece to the puzzle that is being assembled.  They've all contributed, tirelessly and without anything in return, and for that I am so grateful.

I feel incredibly blessed to be sitting here, writing about a team that I should have left nearly 3 years ago.  An injury that could have caused some incredible anger in me, provided a strange opportunity, that has allowed me to remain a part of the organization that changed my life.  Though the faces have changed from the familiar smiles of the sisters I grew to love (and still do!), the essence of the team, the familial struggles are identical.  Like I said, every person has added something to this team.  The gymnasts who have come and gone have laid the groundwork for the current competitors.  I know, this team would be nowhere without them.

Today the girls are going to take another crack at winning this thing.  As a coach, I have never been more proud of my team.  It took us a while to get here, but they are ready.  They know what it takes, and they know what is at stake.  We are the underdogs today... and that's the perfect place for us to be.  I can't even begin to describe how much faith I have in these girls!

So thank you, to all of the supporters!  Former coaches, parents, fans, administrators and especially the gymnasts that have poured their heart and soul into this team.  I love you all, and I know that you will be with the girls today... here we go!

LET'S GET WEIRD! << crazy warhawk saying this year... it worked for football and basketball... so we'll see how it goes! =)

Love True,
Allison

Chellsie Memmel

A gymnastics hero came by our gym today.  Someone who has done just about all you can do as an athlete.  I met Chellsie Memmel just over 7 years ago, when I came to Whitewater.  This was right around the time she became the World Champion.  I can't even begin to tell you how mesmerized and star struck I was to meet her... the BEST gymnast in the WORLD.  I felt so lucky!  She was quiet, and sweet, and didn't really talk about gymnastics at all.  She was normal, and it was awesome.  Over the next few years I got to know her a little bit; she would come to town and hang out, or come to our meets.  She became less of a celebrity and more of a friend.  Chellsie went on to compete at the Olympics in Beijing in 2008, and came home with a beautiful silver medal.  I remember feeling SO proud to know her, a hero in my sport and in my country.  Today, I was reminded of her good heart and her passion for all things gymnastics.  Out of the goodness of her heart she came to our gym today to surprise the girls.  My team is much younger than I am, and they weren't here when Chellsie came around back in the day.  Needless to say, they were pretty excited, and very honored that she would pay them a visit!  Chellsie watched the girls show their routines on every event at their practice meet tonight, and then spoke to them afterwards.  She gave them the best advice that she could-- given their situation right now.  "It's just another meet.  Don't think of it as Nationals.  It's the same thing you do EVERY DAY!"  Well, it worked for Chel when she won worlds... so I bet it does wonders for the Warhawks!

Thanks so much Chel, from the bottom of my heart!  We will be cheering for you at Trails!!!  Go get it, girl!

Love True,
Allison

Ralph Marston

I have been searching, desperately, for some words to share with some really amazing people.  People that I care about, and love very much.  I have been trying to find the words to explain to these people how much I care about them, and believe in them.  I've been struggling, because I'm not sure that some of them want to hear it.  Sometimes, when we get so overwhelmed in situations, we tend to shut out all outside encouragement or guidance.  We become completely enveloped in the despair that is the mountain right in front of us that we don't notice the chair lift that could help carry us right to the top.  So, to these individuals that I care about, these friends of mine who have may have doubts, I have borrowed some words from one of my favorite inspirational authors... 

"Every day is an opportunity to make your life the way you want it to be. Anything is possible when you work toward it, one day at a time. Skip a day, and you lose momentum. Try to do it all at once, and you burn out. Steadily, consistently work, making every day count, and you will reach your goals. Today is a chance to grow - to do a little bit more than you did yesterday, a little bit better, a little bit more effectively. Anyone can do a little more, learn a little more, and grow a little more each day. Soon, with consistent effort, those "little bits" add up to major accomplishments. Is there something you want to change? Today is the day to start changing it... Not next Monday or next month - today. You deserve to reach your goals as soon as possible. Control today and you control your life."

        - Ralph Marston 

I think Ralph put it perfectly.  Make every day count, don't slow down, keep believing, and keep striving... your goals are within reach! (I love you, girls!)
Love True,
Allison

Shut Up, Skinny Bitches

" I want to be STRONG, not skinny."

Words can not even begin to express how proud I am of my friend Rachel tonight.  She is one of the strongest people I have ever had the privilege of knowing.  Rachel struggled just like I did, for years and has worked extremely hard on her recovery.  She has been a confidant and support system for me since the first day we realized how much we had in common.  Even though we both had our low points, I think we used each other to help ourselves.  No matter how bad I felt, I could always tell her to be strong... and vice versa.  We never wanted each other to feel the way we felt about ourselves, and I know that she was a huge part of my recovery... and continues to be a powerful source of encouragement for me.  Well, today, Rachel was a guest blogger for the blog, "Shut Up, Skinny Bitches."  If I wasn't proud enough of her all ready, today just totally capped it off.  She is the epitome of Strength, and I smile thinking about just how wonderful of a person she is.  "Strength and Confidence radiate beauty." 

YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL, Rachel, Inside and out!

Please check out Rachel's guest blog!

Shut up, Because Strong is Better than Skinny!

Love True,

Allison