Illinois Women’s Gymnastics program started the Super 16 season with a straight loss against Denver. The close defeat served as a reminder for the program to put in extra effort to win. So after that, the motivated gymnastics squad showcased some back-to-back wins against West Virginia, Western Mochi, and UW-Oshosh. But after that, the emphatic inning faced an impasse and consecutive losses followed the no. 25 seeded program.

So, at this low time, the squad tried to keep the morale high with a special announcement. This time, Illinois Women’s Gymnastics tried to accumulate fan love in the process. So the occasion seemed to work in both ways- for the fans and the gymnasts. 

The “I AM” approach to keep things going

Illinois’ last B1G gymnastics game against OSU ended on a losing note. However, on February 2, the program came with a powerful message on X introducing the ‘I AM’ statement. To disburse on it more, the Illinois senior Kaitlyn Ewald said, “Mental health and wellness is very important to our team.” In the posted video on X, Illini’s gymnastics HC, Nadalie Walsh echoed the same statement.

She stated, “Mental health is really very important in this team”. She also added, “I want my athletes to know from inside out that they have true confidence. I want them to believe in themselves and when I use the ‘I AM’ statement, or get them to use the I AM statement, those statements really displace anxiety… “.

So keeping that momentum, the X-post conceded, “What is your I AM statement? The first 150 fans will get an I AM t-shirt. Additionally, the first 200 fans will receive an I AM sign. Use these freebies to write your own I AM statements!” In the posted video, the HC poured out more in explaining the importance of the mentioned statement. She uttered three mantras i.e., “I am bold, I am brave and I am fearless” as the result of a mentally healthy gymnast.

Arielle Ward, Illini’s sophomore, expressed “I am resilient” as her I AM statement in the video on that note. But talking about the favorable part, Coach Walsh added, “You’re more than your situation. You’re more than what’s difficult for you”. That sounded pretty much in the place for the gymnastics team’s present situation. 

The fight against the situation by Illinois Gymnastics

In the initial phase of the gymnastics season, Illinois’ Abby Mueller banked on their hard training before the games. However, in the last two matches, she and freshman Destiny Denning tried hard to keep floating the Illini’s chances. But a concerted performance was never at the place against the Cornhuskers and Buckeyes. 

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Somehow, the straight narrow losses dismantled the morale of the pack as a straight ten performance is yet to come from the members. So on that note, the “I AM” statement stint might help to achieve a quick reversal in mental health and performance. Illinois’ next match is against Rutgers in the latter’s home ground. It remains to be seen how the team upholds the “I AM” spirit in the meetup. 

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