Gymnastics: Captain keeps hometown roots
Star gymnast made 50-mile round trip commute in high school to train in home state.
Hannah Rael
Issue date: 1/26/10 Section: Sports
While visiting Hamline, Weber said she was impressed with head coach Doug Byrnes.
"I have never met anyone as positive as Doug is," she said. "Doug and the Cities are probably the two main reasons why I came here."
Though she said she doesn't regret her decision to attend Hamline, she has come to new realizations about city life.
"I miss New Mexico a lot," Weber said. "I lived in the same house my whole life. Being here I miss the small town feeling a lot more than I thought I would."
With the start of this year's season, Weber has already posted notable achievements. She placed second all-around in the Piper's season opener at UW-Oshkosh. The next week, she finished third all-around while taking the title in floor exercise against Winona State and UW-Eau Claire.
"As an athlete, she's had nice growth," Byrnes said. "She continues to improve and compete at a high level and is somebody you can depend on."
This year, Weber also holds the position of team captain.
"I wasn't really surprised I was voted [team captain]. I'm a hard worker and I think everybody sees that," Weber said.
With the addition of nine first-years, Byrnes said it has been a difficult year to be captain. Byrnes, however, has been thrilled with her leadership.
"She has really stepped up," he said.
Co-captain and roommate Becca McLaughlin agreed.
"She works very hard at practice and sets such a great example for the younger girls," McLaughlin, a junior, said. "We work really well together as captains. [She] tries to find the positive in things. [She's] constantly laughing, giggling, smiling."
With graduation approaching next year, Weber wants to make the most of her training at Hamline.
"[I've] come to the realization that I've only got two years left," Weber said. "I've gotten over a lot of my mental stuff."
When asked if she sees a future in gymnastics beyond Hamline, Weber is honest.
"My body is old, gymnastics ages you faster than everything in the whole world," she said.
Despite this, she said she would like to audition for either Cirque de Soliel or La Rêve in Las Vegas. Both are shows that feature performers with acrobatic technique. She has also considered owning a gym.
"The gym in Taos is still poorly run," Weber said. "Maybe with my business degree [I will] go back and buy the gym."
Weber will be one to watch for as the Hamline gymnastics team draws closer to Conference.
"I have never met anyone as positive as Doug is," she said. "Doug and the Cities are probably the two main reasons why I came here."
Though she said she doesn't regret her decision to attend Hamline, she has come to new realizations about city life.
"I miss New Mexico a lot," Weber said. "I lived in the same house my whole life. Being here I miss the small town feeling a lot more than I thought I would."
With the start of this year's season, Weber has already posted notable achievements. She placed second all-around in the Piper's season opener at UW-Oshkosh. The next week, she finished third all-around while taking the title in floor exercise against Winona State and UW-Eau Claire.
"As an athlete, she's had nice growth," Byrnes said. "She continues to improve and compete at a high level and is somebody you can depend on."
This year, Weber also holds the position of team captain.
"I wasn't really surprised I was voted [team captain]. I'm a hard worker and I think everybody sees that," Weber said.
With the addition of nine first-years, Byrnes said it has been a difficult year to be captain. Byrnes, however, has been thrilled with her leadership.
"She has really stepped up," he said.
Co-captain and roommate Becca McLaughlin agreed.
"She works very hard at practice and sets such a great example for the younger girls," McLaughlin, a junior, said. "We work really well together as captains. [She] tries to find the positive in things. [She's] constantly laughing, giggling, smiling."
With graduation approaching next year, Weber wants to make the most of her training at Hamline.
"[I've] come to the realization that I've only got two years left," Weber said. "I've gotten over a lot of my mental stuff."
When asked if she sees a future in gymnastics beyond Hamline, Weber is honest.
"My body is old, gymnastics ages you faster than everything in the whole world," she said.
Despite this, she said she would like to audition for either Cirque de Soliel or La Rêve in Las Vegas. Both are shows that feature performers with acrobatic technique. She has also considered owning a gym.
"The gym in Taos is still poorly run," Weber said. "Maybe with my business degree [I will] go back and buy the gym."
Weber will be one to watch for as the Hamline gymnastics team draws closer to Conference.
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