Gymnastics Diary: Alysha Pretzello
September 13, 2010 04:40 PM | General
Throughout the WVU gymnastics team’s 2011 fall preseason, the Mountaineers will take the time out of their busy schedules to share stories of practice and preparation with the fans. This year’s first entry comes from senior Alysha Pretzello. One of three team captains from the 2010 season, Pretzello is a well-respected voice within Cary Gym. The Diamondhead, Miss., native emerged as a valued contributor on the Mountaineers’ bars lineup last season, and finished seventh at the 2010 East Atlantic Gymnastics League Championship with a career-best 9.825 score.
Posted on Monday, September 13, 2010
Wow! The summer went by so fast and it feels nice to have everybody back in Cary Gym!
The seniors, juniors and sophomores all had a great summer. Some spent the summer here in Morgantown catching up on classes and working out at open gyms, while others went home. Some of the girls even got jobs.
This year, we add six newcomers to the Mountaineer family - five freshmen and sophomore Kaylyn Millick, a transfer from Eastern Michigan. The six newcomers are already adjusting and fitting in with our team so well.
Last year, we started a new Mountaineer tradition of team challenges during preseason. For this year’s first team challenge, we went on a scavenger hunt through the WVU Core Arboretum and we had to work together as a team to get through the whole course. There were a few flaws along the way because a few of our clue cards went missing, but we all worked together to overcome the challenges and finish.
The second challenge will take place in Cary Gym today and tomorrow. We will have to show off our gymnastics skills to the coaches and our teammates, and demonstrate that our skills are the same or better than when we left for the summer.
The team is already in really good gymnastics shape, even though it is very early in the season. Even though our open gym sessions at the beginning of the school year were optional, all of my teammates made an appearance. Everyone is working very hard to upgrade her skills to a higher level of competition.
Arlene Hathaway is really standing out this preseason. It is obvious that she worked very hard in the gym this past summer. Chelsea Goldschrafe and Faye Meaden are in very good shape and are working toward upgrading most of their skill sets. Kaylyn is the first transfer student we have had at WVU since I have been here, and her outgoing personality and style of gymnastics fit in perfectly with our team.
One standout freshman is Hope Sloanhoffer. She has a high-level skill set that will hopefully help the team this year! All five freshmen are off to a great start as Mountaineers, and hopefully will be contributors this season.
Our team has the best chemistry, talent and enthusiasm I have seen since my time here. Everyone is working toward the same goal, and I’m so excited to see how the season plays out!
Let’s Go Mountaineers!
Posted on Monday, September 13, 2010
Wow! The summer went by so fast and it feels nice to have everybody back in Cary Gym!
The seniors, juniors and sophomores all had a great summer. Some spent the summer here in Morgantown catching up on classes and working out at open gyms, while others went home. Some of the girls even got jobs.
This year, we add six newcomers to the Mountaineer family - five freshmen and sophomore Kaylyn Millick, a transfer from Eastern Michigan. The six newcomers are already adjusting and fitting in with our team so well.
Last year, we started a new Mountaineer tradition of team challenges during preseason. For this year’s first team challenge, we went on a scavenger hunt through the WVU Core Arboretum and we had to work together as a team to get through the whole course. There were a few flaws along the way because a few of our clue cards went missing, but we all worked together to overcome the challenges and finish.
The second challenge will take place in Cary Gym today and tomorrow. We will have to show off our gymnastics skills to the coaches and our teammates, and demonstrate that our skills are the same or better than when we left for the summer.
The team is already in really good gymnastics shape, even though it is very early in the season. Even though our open gym sessions at the beginning of the school year were optional, all of my teammates made an appearance. Everyone is working very hard to upgrade her skills to a higher level of competition.
Arlene Hathaway is really standing out this preseason. It is obvious that she worked very hard in the gym this past summer. Chelsea Goldschrafe and Faye Meaden are in very good shape and are working toward upgrading most of their skill sets. Kaylyn is the first transfer student we have had at WVU since I have been here, and her outgoing personality and style of gymnastics fit in perfectly with our team.
One standout freshman is Hope Sloanhoffer. She has a high-level skill set that will hopefully help the team this year! All five freshmen are off to a great start as Mountaineers, and hopefully will be contributors this season.
Our team has the best chemistry, talent and enthusiasm I have seen since my time here. Everyone is working toward the same goal, and I’m so excited to see how the season plays out!
Let’s Go Mountaineers!
2026 Mountaineer Invitational Preview
Thursday, April 09
Nate Gabriel | April 8
Thursday, April 09
Coach Rich Rodriguez | April 8
Thursday, April 09
Coach Rod West | April 8
Thursday, April 09
