As their collegiate careers come to an end, Sun Devil Gymnastics seniors Jasmine Gutierrez and Megan Thompson wrote letters to the sport and team that have given them so much, and to those that helped them along the way.
Dear Gymnastics: Gym Devil Seniors Say Goodbye
Jasmine Gutierrez
Dear Sun Devil Gymnastics,
As some may or may not know, my journey here has not been all smooth sailing. There have been so many trials and tribulations that I have gone through in my college career that will forever changed my outlook on life. I have done this sport for 13 years, short compared to others, and I have learned more in those years than some might learn in a lifetime. Arizona State Gymnastics took me in when I didn’t think I was capable of anything more than being an average level 10 gymnast, not planning on really going to college at all, and I will never be able to find the words to describe how grateful I am. Not only for the opportunity to be a collegiate athlete, but also to learn so many crucial lessons of life.
To Jay and Jess, first of all thank you for taking a chance on me at the end of my senior year and sticking through it with me to the end. I thank you for teaching me that we don’t always get our way and preparing me for what obstacles I might face in the real world. To Rachel, though I only had you as a part of my career for two years, I thank you for teaching me how to have fun no matter the circumstances and no matter how big of a deal I think things are. To Kristin, you have taught me too much to fit into a novel but the biggest thing I am grateful for is for teaching me grace and patience in everything I do. You are an inspiration in not only the gymnastics world, but I can never thank you enough for the depth of your belief in me and my ability as a gymnast and as a person.
Thank you to my teammates all the way from the seniors my freshman year (go alumni) all the way to the freshmen this year and those who have been through any part of my journey thus far. Without the peers around me and working beside me day in and day out, my experience would never be the same. To Sun Devil Athletics, I thank you for the opportunity to simply wear ASU on my back and to be a part of such a growing program. I was allowed access to resources such as academic staff, medical staff, and so much more that have been the reason I am where I am today and the person I am today.
There is too much to fit into such an indescribable thank you letter, but I think you get the gist of it. I only hope that I have had half the impact on everyone around me as you ALL have had on me. I will forever be a Gym Devil and I will forever hold the biggest spot in my heart to those who have shown me the same. Thank you, Sun Devil Gymnastics and Sun Devil nation, it has truly been a pleasure.
With love,
Jasmine
Megan Thompson
Dear Sun Devil Gymnastics,
Thank you for giving me a home to fulfill my dreams of becoming a college gymnast. Because of ASU, I was lucky enough to not only do just that, but also get to do it in front of my home crowd!
My career as an NCAA athlete may not have been one that always stood out to others, but I am so incredibly proud to have been the gymnast that I was. Being up on that beam under the arena lights, hearing the cheers of the crowd, having my team by my side, and having ASU on my leo is a feeling and a privilege that I will never be able to explain! Most of my career, I was the lead-off beam competitor, which brought the best kind of pressure to hit for my team. I loved being able to be the rock my team needed, week in, and week out. I sure will miss getting to go out there with my team and work towards a goal that was so much bigger than myself.
However, all good things come to an end, and I have Sun Devil Gymnastics to thank for those memories, friendships, and the support that will last me a lifetime! I am happy to say that I have fulfilled all of the big dreams that the little girl had when stepping onto the beam 15 years ago. I can leave feeling happy, grateful, and ready to attack the next stage of my life!
Thank you to my family, my teammates, my coaches, and the Sun Devil family for taking a chance on me three years ago when transferring home! Thank you for taking me in when things were unknown at the time. Thank you for giving me the chance to find that love for gymnastics again! I will forever cherish my time as a Sun Devil gymnast!
Forks up always,
Megan