Name: Hannah Crall
Age: 19
Year: sophomore
Major: applied physiology and kinesiology
Her Campus: What kind of gymnastics or athletic background did you have going into college?
Hannah Crall: “I can’t remember a time growing up when I wasn’t doing gymnastics. At the age of 2, my mom enrolled me in the ‘mommy and me’ classes at the gym, and I pretty much just stuck with it. I remember in third grade, I took a year off to dance. That was short lived. In fourth grade I was back in the gym, where they quickly moved me up to their level four competitive team, and then I skipped level five and six to compete level seven. Before I knew it, I was with the ‘big girls’ competing level nine as a freshman in high school. Due to a long-lasting back injury, several recurring fractures in my feet and personal reasons, I made one of the hardest decisions of my life and retired at the beginning of my sophomore year of high school training level nine and ten.”
Her Campus: How did you get involved with UF club gymnastics?
HC: “When I came to UF as a freshman I looked up the team online, but I couldn’t get involved because of my busy schedule. It was also a little nerve-wracking after being retired for three whole years. However, this year I just really felt the need to give it a try! I looked them up again and found out that the practices worked out perfectly in my schedule and was able to make it work, so I went for it. I also found out that my friend Lauren Cline had been on the team in the past, and she was so helpful. I was able to ask her and get more information not present on the website.”
Her Campus: How is club gymnastics different from the competitive gymnastics team here at UF?
HC: “Club gymnastics is incredibly different from the competitive team. Our competitive team recruits girls who perform at a very elite level. On the other hand, the club team is mainly made up of girls just like me – girls who loved gymnastics in the past and miss it. It gives us the opportunity to get back in the gym and do some of the things we haven’t been able to do in years. The competitive team competes at the highest level, whereas we just compete whatever we want for our own enjoyment. The judges at our meets judge our routines at level nine, but there are no requirements and you can compete whatever events you want. There is even a team for girls who have never done gymnastics a day in their lives, but just want to learn the basics.”
Her Campus: What has been your favorite part about being on the club gymnastics team?
HC: “My favorite part has been the ability to make it whatever I want it to be! We have set practices throughout the week. If I can go, I go. If school and life gets in the way, there are no penalties. There are incentives for going to a set number of practices, but no pressure. Just an incredible group of girls that can relate to my crazy ex-gymnast lifestyle and try to relive it with me. I also love being able to practice some of my skills again in a safe environment. It has been totally worth it.”
Her Campus: What kinds of events or competitions does the club gymnastics team participate in?
HC: “We have not received an official schedule yet, but we usually do three local competitions and one out-of-state competition. This year, our out-of-state competition is in California! How insane is that? I’m so excited.”
Photo Courtesy of Hannah Crall