The Mountaineers always find new, enjoyable ways to pass the practice time in Cary Gym. WVU Staff photo

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Throughout the WVU gymnastics team’s 2010 preseason, several Mountaineers have taken the time out of their busy schedules to share stories of practice and preparation with the fans.

The last diary entry comes from junior Stephanie Keaton, a two-time NACGC/W Scholastic All-American and a native of Medina, Ohio. A beam specialist looking to break into the floor lineup, Keaton is a big Mountaineer contributor through spirit and hard work.

The team has gone through a long and tough preseason, but finally it is time to begin the 2010 season! We have worked so hard for this moment. Everyone is ready and getting excited for competition to begin. The holiday break was short, but just long enough for our bodies to come back well rested and ready to go.

The week before the Gold-Blue meet consisted of intrasquads, themed practices ands lot of cheering. We started the week with a beam intrasquad. The girls did really great! I have never seen our team have such a large number of girls with potential to be in a lineup spot. Seniors Keirsten Spoerke and Shelly Purkat are as consistent as ever, and sophomore Nicole Roach has been looking super solid also.

The next day the pressure was on for the bars lineup, and the girls really stepped up. We ended the week with an awesome floor intrasquad. Everyone hit their routine, the team cheered loud and we all left ready and looking forward to a great Gold-Blue meet.

With classes out of session, the team has had some free time. We’ve been filling our time with shopping, napping, team dinners and planning for themed practice days! Last Monday was twin day - everyone picked a partner and the pair dressed alike. We had a couple of reality TV impersonators, as well as Olympians in medalists Paul and Morgan Hamm. Freshman Arlene Hathaway and I were a pair of aces.

Last Thursday was freshman Hailey Fairchild’s and my favorite day - 80s day! It was a practice dedicated to bright stretch pants, oversized sweatshirts, side ponytails and Pat Benatar. The last practice before the Gold-Blue meet was none other than a gold and blue day. We proudly sported our school’s colors and pumped ourselves up with WVU cheers.

I am excited for season to begin! I think the whole team is ready to transition out of preseason. We have put in the hard work in practice and the coaches have prepared us well. Now it’s time for all of the hard work to pay off!

Let’s Go Mountaineers!