When Samantha Partyka says she’s never known a life without gymnastics, take her seriously: She started training when she was 2 years old.
Now 19, the rising junior from Texas has decided to retire from competition, leave the Red Rocks and see what lies beyond.
"It’s not something I took lightly," she said. "It has been on my mind for a while now, since the season ended. I’m very grateful for what I learned in gymnastics. There’s been countless lessons."
Partyka played a valuable role for Utah gymnastics the past two years, earning All-American honors in vault in 2015 for the Red Rocks’ runner-up finish at NCAAs.