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25 O n March 2, University of Iowa women's gymnastics seniors Jori Robertson, Lanie Snyder, Nikki Youd, and Melissa Zurawski experienced the magic of meet day in Carver- Hawkeye Arena a final time. roughout the years, there have been many memorable moments, but some stand out more than others. "I have a few favorite memories as a GymHawk," said Youd. "I love walking out of the tunnel into the arena and seeing our home crowd. at first moment when you see everyone, and you get to warm up in front of your own fans, it's a great feeling. at and the reaction and cheering with your team aer a routine will be things I remember forever." For these four seniors, the meaning behind wear- ing the black and gold goes beyond meet day. "Wearing the black and gold means not only competing, but also practicing, with integrity and class," said Zurawski. "It means being respectful to everyone around you and putting in hard work throughout the process. If you do that, it will show on the competition floor." While being a GymHawk has been the experience of a lifetime, it has also taught the seniors lessons and skills they will carry beyond gymnastics and graduation. "Being a GymHawk has affected my life in so many ways," said Snyder. "It has taught me so many valuable lessons — time management, deter- mination, integrity, perseverance, and many other things that are as useful outside the gym as they are in the gym. "Being on this team with these girls and coaches beside me has taught me how to be a good person. Aer gymnastics, I will continue to live my life and take everything I've learned from working hard as a GymHawk with me." Being a GymHawk is not just being a member of a team, it's being a member of a family. e lessons the seniors have learned over these last few years will last a lifetime. "I'm going to miss this incredible team and fam- ily," says Robertson. "We push each other in and outside of the gym. We keep each other account- able. I've learned so many lessons from my team- mates and coaches over the years that I will carry throughout my life." Despite wrapping up their careers inside Carver- Hawkeye Arena, the seniors realize that this is not an ending. "We have a lot of season le," added Youd. "We aren't done yet." MARCH SCHEDULE March 9 at Iowa State, Missouri March 17 at Big Five Meet March 24 at Big Ten Championships