Freshman gymnasts assimilate to college life

The Tigers are making the transition from being high school to Division 1 athletes.

By Ben Kupiszewski

Published April 6, 2010

Freshman Lauren Swankoski leapt, cart wheeled, tumbled, flipped and somersaulted through the air during her floor exercise routine in the year's final regular gymnastics season home meet against Centenary College on March 21.

The display of athleticism, strength, dexterity, flexibility and grace from the Pennsylvania native earned a 9.900 from the judges.

But Swankoski and the other three freshmen on the team this season have another side other than the one they showcase in the gym.

"We try to get the normal social aspect of college as well and not just all-consumed by sports and school," freshman Tori Howard said.

Howard, who hails from Chesterfield, said she never considered Missouri because she wanted to attend college further away from home. But after getting invited to visit the campus and being asked by coach Rob Drass to be on the coming year's roster, she reconsidered.

Until she visited, Swankoski did not have much interest in Missouri, either.

"It was my last school visit," Swankoski said. "All the other visits were lacking something, and then when I stepped on campus, met the girls, met the coaches, saw all the facilities, then I knew I had to be here."

Freshman Brittany Bendoff's visit was also the driving factor for her decision to attend Missouri.

"I loved the campus, loved the girls," Bendoff said. "Everything just clicked."

Coming from Oslo, Norway, Sandra Ostad is the latest arrival and the furthest from home out of all the freshmen. Ostad started training with the Tigers after Christmas.

The group's individual experiences of the initial year of college are just as diverse as its backgrounds. Bendoff noticed the separation from her family and friends the most.

"When you're in college you're away from your close friends, you're away from your family," Bendoff said. "It's a different atmosphere."

For Howard, the transition between high school and collegiate athletics was the biggest change.

"In club, everything you did was individual, but now, everything you do is for your team," Howard said.

Ostad, perhaps, had the most to cope with compared with rest of the freshmen, because she came from a different country and started her collegiate career months later than the others.

"Coming to another country, everything was so different," Ostad said. "The food was different, the people, a new culture. Everything."

All the freshmen agreed the newfound independence at college, though a tough adjustment, is a freedom they enjoy.

"I feel the independence was a big shock and the hardest thing, but also, when it came down to it, it was nice to be able to breathe and do what you wanted on your schedule," Swankoski said.

Bendoff said being on the team was helpful with this adjustment period. Surrounded by women who also are also gymnasts made being away from home less daunting and more manageable.

"You come to college, and there's 12 girls on a team, so it's like 12 automatic friends," Bendoff said. "A lot of people come to college and don't have that opportunity."

With those friendships, the group likes to spend time with fellow teammates outside of gymnastics and school and participate in typical college activities.

"We go to Walmart," Ostad said.

Like most college students, trips to Walmart are more than just necessary utility runs. For instance, on a Monday in March, Drass gave the team a day off, and Bendoff and Swankoski bought a coloring book and colored instead of practicing acrobatic flips off balance beams.

The freshmen are looking forward to some of the privileges upperclassmen usually enjoy. Howard and Swankoski are anxious to move out of the residence halls.

With the end of the season coming up, this year's freshmen will soon be sophomores and get the opportunity to see another group of gymnasts go through the first year experience. Bendoff feels compelled to befriend and help next year's incoming freshmen.

"After experiencing freshman year, I think it will be really good if we're able to help out the new freshmen next year," Bendoff said. "I'm really excited about that."