Spring Break
Time to say goodbye for OSU's seniors
Six Oregon State gymnasts will compete in Gill Coliseum for final time in their careers at OSU tonight against UW, SPU
Casey Grogan
Issue date: 3/6/09 Section: Sports
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"It is emotional, but at the same time it's a celebration," senior Brooke Barclay said. "It's the last time we are in Gill, but it's not the end of the season. I think the seniors are going to enjoy it as much as we can because all we can do is soak it up."
Oregon State's seniors will compete more in the 2009 season, as they travel to Missouri next week before the postseason kicks off. This night marks the final time these six women will perform in front of college friends and Beaver fans - the end of a four-year journey that began in the summer of 2005.
Throughout their four years in Corvallis, the six women have overcome ailments, school, judges and other obstacles. With the help of one another and the support of Oregon State's rabid gymnastics fan base, OSU's seniors feel they have grown as gymnasts and as people in their four years on the Oregon State campus.
"I think at this point in my life, I am ready for it," senior Kera Bolen said. "I'm excited for it, not scared. I have really grown as a person in the four years. It has been a blessing, and I cannot imagine having been anywhere else the past four years."
A senior, who has been at OSU for less time than her five teammates, is Johnnie Rae Schmelzer. Although an Oregonian through-and-through, Schmelzer began her collegiate career at Cal State Fullerton. Arriving in Corvallis for the 2008 season, Schmelzer awaited her time to compete in orange and black.
After completing one exhibition routine on beam earlier in the season, Schmelzer received her chance to compete for OSU on the road against her former Titan teammates, posting a score of 9.575 in her first Beaver routine. During the 2009 season, Schmelzer has performed on three apparatuses, posting her highest score on the floor against UW.
"The seniors have really taken the team under their wing," junior Mandi Rodriguez said. "They have taken on a very big leadership role, and it will be a big loss losing six of them."
Specializing on the uneven parallel bars, fifth-year senior D'Anna Piro has impressed not only in the gym but also in the classroom. Piro posted a career-high 9.900 on the bars during her redshirt sophomore season. After her sophomore season, Piro was sidelined due to an offseason surgery. Piro competed in the bars lineup at Stanford posting a 9.775 in her first competitive routine since 2007.
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