Deeply-Connected Freshmen Class Having An Impact

In high school, there isn't much walking during the day. And in Junior Olympics or club gymnastics, you're on your own, without the support of teammates. Ball State's freshmen, many of whom have been in the lineup since the season opener, found these things out quickly as they adjusted not only to college student life - but also to competing at the Division I level.

"It was hard during preseason, but we've adjusted and we're now getting to enjoy college life," Lauren Volpe, a freshman from the Chicagoland area, said. "We hang out with our friends and a lot of different athletes and it's awesome."

ALL-AROUND ADJUSTMENTS
That awesomeness came after Sandra Elsadek's feet hurt from walking to class, and Marissa Nychyk started to have shin pains. But those are merely growing pains that all students face, and this young group of Cardinals has grown up fast. Elsadek and Nychyk have each been in the all-around and competed in at least three events in every meet this year. Volpe, who has battled a shoulder injury for much of the year, has become a force on beam. Stephanie Schweikert, who the other freshmen call the funniest person on the team, has been in the vault lineup since day one.

The chance to make an immediate impact was a surprise to the freshmen, who say they're loving Ball State and love the pace of college gymnastics.

"I really like the family atmosphere and how we have each other's backs," Volpe said. "Once we know our role, we take it and run with it. It's awesome, I love it."

"I've never had so much fun in gymnastics until now," Florida native Nychyk said. "In JO (Junior Olympics), it was fun, but I didn't know gymnastics could be this fun until I came here. I'm enjoying the season a lot."

Elsadek, also from the Sunshine State, added: "This season has been so fun. It's very different from club in that it's faster and more energetic," Elsadek said. "It's not just about you anymore, it's about the team. It's altogether so much more fun and different than what we're used to."

EXISTING RELATIONSHIPS
The 2019 Cardinals, with a large group of eight freshmen added to an already established team, are a close group. The connected nature of this year's freshmen group made it easier to integrate into college and into the team dynamics. Elsadek and Nychyk competed against each other in and around Florida since middle school. In a strange twist of fate, Elsadek and Volpe go back even longer than that.

In 5th grade, Volpe's elementary school in Illinois and Elsadek's school in Florida had a pen pal program. Against all odds, two future Cardinals were paired together eight years before they would compete in Muncie. As 5th graders, the two girls quickly found out they were both Level 8 gymnasts then and had a love for the sport. The two future Cardinals corresponded for a year before life got in the way of letters.

Years later on an unofficial visit to BSU, Volpe was eating lunch and saw Elsadek's name on a post-it note.

"No way. That can't be her."

Later, they were both in the gym and saw each other.

"She kept looking at me!" Elsadek laughed.

Volpe walked up to Elsadek and said, "'I think you were my pen pal.' It was crazy. We hadn't talked since 5th grade and had never met."

Now, they're in the lineup together at Ball State, competing on a promising team and they'll be roommates as sophomores next year. Even on a mess of a travel day through winter storms to Washington, D.C., the Gym Cards use the time to strengthen their relationships.

"The only thing we could do was laugh about it," Elsadek said about the first trip. "I had never been to DC before, and I was excited for all that. And then...our flight gets canceled. Wow. I'm learning that more it's more than just how we did competing, but the memories that we are sharing."

Whether it's adjusting to weather, walking to class or intense running in the preseason, the young Cardinals are ahead of pace. As MAC play heats up Western Michigan this weekend and home meets begin, they'll need to keep flying together.

Fans can follow the live stats of this Sunday's meet vs. WMU and also on Twitter. There will also be a live video stream on Watch ESPN.

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Players Mentioned

Sandra Elsadek

Marissa Nychyk

Lauren Volpe