The West Virginia University gymnastics team has been practicing inside Cary Gym at least four days a week since Sept. 14. For three months, the Mountaineers have showed up each day, stretched, constructed routines, digested feedback, memorized cues, stretched again, labored over hour-long circuits and studied nutritional tips. Add in a full class schedule, and one can easily understand why these Mountaineers circled their winter breaks on their calendars weeks ago.
Yet, now is not a time for the team to battle fatigue, weariness or exhaustion. In fact, these weeks of training and the gradual buildup of skills and landings were diligently thought out and executed in an effort to prepare the Mountaineers for the ultimate race – the 2016 season.