Watching the UWW Inter-Squad Meet: A Full-Circle Gymnastics Moment

On December 12, 2025, I had the opportunity to attend the UWW inter-squad meet and watch my favorite sport come to life at the collegiate level. Many of you may not know this, but I attended gymnastics camps here when I was younger so sitting in the stands at the very same school where I did the camp at age 12 felt incredibly full circle. At the time, I never imagined that I would return to this campus years later as a college student in 2024.

Becoming a college gymnast was a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. While that dream didn’t unfold the way I once imagined, gymnastics has remained a huge part of my life in other meaningful ways.

Today, I stay connected to the sport through coaching, judging, and running this website. Sitting in the stands and watching a college team compete reminded me exactly why I fell in love with gymnastics in the first place.

One of the most powerful parts of the night was the environment. The energy in the gym was electric, fueled not only by fans but also by the support of other UWW athletic teams, including wrestling and football. The cheering, encouragement, and overall team spirit brought me right back to my club gymnastics days in Illinois. You could truly feel how close the team was—athletes and coaches alike—supporting one another and enjoying every moment on the competition floor.

The team competed in an away-meet order, starting on bars, then moving to vault, floor, and finishing on beam. From start to finish, the routines looked strong and confident. As a judge, I couldn’t help but mentally score each routine as I watched.

Overall, the inter-squad meet left me feeling excited and inspired. I can’t wait to attend the home meets and watch this team continue to grow and perform throughout the upcoming season.