Seniors Start First and Final Year in Cancun
12/31/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Dec. 31, 2015
From left: Briley Casanova, Lindsay Williams and Austin Sheppard
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The Michigan women's gymnastics team will open the 2016 season on Jan. 2 at the Cancun Classic in Cancun, Mexico, and for three seniors it marks the return to the place where they started their U-M careers.
On Jan. 4, 2013, wide-eyed freshmen Briley Casanova, Austin Sheppard and Lindsay Williams made their collegiate debut against No. 9 Oregon State and BYU in Cancun.
"It was a really fun experience because we were able to represent the block M in another country," said Sheppard. "I was really nervous, but at the same time our coaches assured us that it was just our first meet, and we should focus on having fun competing."
Casanova and Sheppard each competed on vault, while Williams started her career on uneven bars. All three scored 9.70 or better, helping the Wolverines post an impressive 196.575 to win the meet.
"At the time I didn't know what that score meant until someone told me it was a really high score that early in the season," said Casanova. "I was like 'oh, this is what Michigan gymnastics is all about.' so I remember that outcome being pretty awesome."
Sheppard and Williams each had competed in an exhibition against Michigan State a month earlier, but Casanova had just joined the team a week before the meet in Cancun. She had just graduated from Spring Creek Academy in Dallas, Texas, a couple of weeks earlier and enrolled for the winter quarter.
"I think I had only five days with the team before competing in Cancun," said Casanova. "I came in Christmas day, and we left for Cancun four or five days later. I think I had a week to bond with my teammates before competing with them for the first time."
The trip to Cancun was the perfect opportunity for Casanova to get to know her new teammates and for the team to bond. Spending several days together with no distractions or obligations outside of gymnastics allowed the team to come closer together.
"We don't have the pressure of school on us so we can be more open minded and relaxed and not be stressed out," said Sheppard. "It is really nice to spend more time with each other and get to know each other more. You want to be really close to your teammates, and a trip like this does that."
Now, three years later, the three seniors will return to Cancun feeling completely different. Instead of being nervous to start their career, they are nervous about ending it.
"We have four more months of gymnastics and have been doing it since we were four years old," said Sheppard. "I can't believe we are already seniors and will be done so soon. I don't want it to come to an end, but I am really excited for this year."
Michigan will face Arkansas and Iowa on Saturday, Jan. 2, at 6 p.m. CST in the Iberostar Hotel in Cancun, Mexico. [ Live Video ]
Communications Contact: Ben Blevins
