Hey everyone!

With Regionals 2009 in sight, we have been preparing ourselves physically and mentally over the past week. The coaches have given us a few days off in order to rest up for the upcoming weekend, but they have also encouraged us to work harder than ever while we get these last practices in before Regionals. The team is incredibly enthusiastic heading into the gym this week. We compete in the National Collegiate Gymnastics Regional Championships this Saturday in Alabama. We realize we have done great things as a team this year, but we also realize that the fight isn't over yet!

Throughout this season, I have shared a story from the Bible with the team before we compete. Briefly, the story is about three men - Moses, Aaron, and Hur - on top of a hill, and the battle between two armies. As long as Moses had his hands lifted, then their people would be winning the battle. As soon as his hands dropped, they would begin to lose. Because the battle took time, Moses' hands grew tired and began to drop. When his two friends saw his exhaustion, they came to him. With one man on each side, they helped Moses continue to lift his hands until the fight had been won. As they watched the battle come to a close, they knew they would walk away victorious.

Our team has faced many of our own battles this season. We have faced illness, loss of teammates and injuries. We have lost family members. We have had to learn to continue to fight when we are tired, against all odds, or without six gymnasts to put in line-up. We have experienced frustration in the gym. We have continued to pour out all we have left in order to get to where we are. Undeniably, this team has learned that "Teamwork makes the dream work"! As each gymnast on our team has faced her own individual struggle, we have learned to come alongside one another and hold each other up just as Aaron and Hur held up Moses' arms. We have accomplished so much together, and we know that TOGETHER we will walk away victoriously as this season comes to a close!

Regionals will also be a special time for all of us, because it is potentially head coach Bob Nelligan's last meet. He has taught each of us something special, and I know we are all grateful for the life lessons he has instilled in our hearts. He has taught us to believe, and he has encouraged us every step of the way. Duke, our Regionals performance is for you!

I want to give a special shout out to Kelsey Nelligan. She had a GREAT Sunday! Sunday was Kelsey's final lift as well as her first time to win in the team's favorite game, Bananagrams. She was really excited about the win, so I couldn't deny her of her glory!

Thanks for reading!

Abbey

2008-09 Terps Tumble Talks