Recently, I was invited to attend my first ever gymnastics meet here on campus. At first, I was very skeptical, being the typical “meat and potato” guy when it came to sports. You know the type, a steady diet of basketball, football, baseball, and hockey is all I could ingest.

The real “manly” sports that took year-round hard work, dedication, and incredible displays of physical strength are what I admired. I had no time for “wimpy” gymnastics and all their silly flips.

Prior to this event, there was only one thing I cared to know about gymnastics: Mary Lou Retton was the best because a long time ago she was on my Wheaties box. But upon going to the meet (not a game but a meet that was something else I had picked up), I realized not only were my thoughts ignorant but foolish. These athletes were incredible.

The meet featured our ladies? gymnastics squad competing against (again not playing but competing) the Spartans of San Jose State. The atmosphere was almost library- like, I had to keep reminding myself I was in Hornet Gym and not the library. The lack of people and the sport’s low key etiquette were direct contributors to the cessation of sound.

Though five minutes in, I couldn?t help but realize how many parents were in the stands to watch their young athletes. I hadn?t seen so many parents in one room since my Christmas play. Once the competition started I became interested. These athletes displayed strength, and agility that I truly had never witnessed. Even the most novice eye like mine could tell these girls put a lot of time, and work into their skills. Then my journalistic instincts broke out and I began asking the when, why, what, thing to myself.

And what I unraveled was a sport that demands a lot of time and resources, and only the best continue to succeed. I began speaking with various people in the crowd; cousins, parents, friends you name it, they all had some direct connection to the athletes. I soon learned that to be a college gymnast especially in Division I, takes a lot of determination and practice. Stories of relentless hours on the road and in the gym were the norm. Not much time for much else, just gymnastics. Then I began to think how does one become a gymnast? I mean there isn?t a pair of uneven bars at your local playground. And many schools don?t even offer it as a sport. Then I learned about gymnastics clubs that require membership fees, in exchange for professional tutelage and organized leagues for competition.

I also learned how some meets were many miles from home and quickly turned into family road trips in need of its own itinerary. I instantly realized that many of these athletes were competing at this level not only because of their hard work, but the hard work of their supporters who had helped along the way.

I wouldn?t say that I?m an overnight fan of gymnastics but I will say that I have a new appreciation and respect for the sport. I anticipate I will attend another meet before the end of the season to root for the Hornet squad and especially such standouts as junior, Wendy Baisdon or sophomore sensation, Toni Peterson.

The sport is not for everybody; I don?t anticipate the gymnastics? program breaking any attendance records anytime soon. But if you can appreciate athletic ability, albeit in a room were one can hear a pin drop, you should take the time at least once and see what you think. I did, and now I can mix in some gourmet into my sports appetite.