2008 Woodie Awards
SHU's gymnastics is 'elite' at what they do
Alyssa Larsen
Issue date: 2/8/07 Section: Features
- Page 1 of 1
Gymnastics is a sport involving the performance of sequences of movements requiring physical strength and flexibility.
SHU Elite was founded in the fall of 2003 by Maria Crapanzano in her junior year.
She is currently a graduate student and remains involved, but is no longer able to compete with the team due to school policies.
Competitive gymnastic are ranked on levels, elite being the highest level.
SHU Elite created their name based off being the best at what they do as well as representing the location at which they practice "Stars Elite."
SHU Elite is open to all students male or female with any range of ability.
Currently there are 20 members; 19 females and one male.
"The conditioning and exercises that are done for gymnastics are great to help get anyone in shape," said Maria Crapanzao, grad student, Milford.
In previous years SHU Elite spent the time dedicated to practices and participating at various campus events.
As of last year they came together to compete as a club team.
"We have a meet on February 17 at UPenn, National competition at the University of Miami and Cincinnati [as well as] performing at the SHU F.O.R.C.E Recital at the end of April," said captian Sarah Comeras, junior.
"When I was the president of SHU Elite, we participated in Habitat work days, collected canned goods at every meeting for the Thomas Merton Center and St. Stevens food pantry in Bridgeport, and the Bridgeport Rescue Mission Thanksgiving Dinner," said Crapanzano.
To raise money for the club the members of SHU Elite host bake sales and flip a-thons at basketball games.
"For the past 2 years we have been involved with the Special Olympics at Wilton [and] we coach gymnastics for a few hours per week. It is a great experience," said Comeras.
For the past four years there have not been tryouts.
SHU Elite is open to all levels of gymnasts.
All full-time students who are willing to work hard and have a positive attitude are welcome.
"I feel like we are all different people outside of gymnastics especially with our majors but when we are at practice it doesn't matter and we get along so well. We are always joking around and supportive when one of the members needs it," said Caitlyn Conley, junior, Ashland, Mass.
If you have no experience or have been doing gymnastics for 15 years, SHU Elite wants you.
"It's a lot of fun," said Conley.
"Its really laid back, you can do whatever you want, and come to practice when you can," said Conley.
"You can practice just to stay in shape and improve your skills or you can be on the competition team and go to meets to show off your routines. It's also a way to get off of campus and away from the stress of school and have fun," said Conley.
If you are interested in being involved on campus, want to meet new people with the same interests as you, contact Sarah Comeras to become a member of SHU Elite.
SHU Elite was founded in the fall of 2003 by Maria Crapanzano in her junior year.
She is currently a graduate student and remains involved, but is no longer able to compete with the team due to school policies.
Competitive gymnastic are ranked on levels, elite being the highest level.
SHU Elite created their name based off being the best at what they do as well as representing the location at which they practice "Stars Elite."
SHU Elite is open to all students male or female with any range of ability.
Currently there are 20 members; 19 females and one male.
"The conditioning and exercises that are done for gymnastics are great to help get anyone in shape," said Maria Crapanzao, grad student, Milford.
In previous years SHU Elite spent the time dedicated to practices and participating at various campus events.
As of last year they came together to compete as a club team.
"We have a meet on February 17 at UPenn, National competition at the University of Miami and Cincinnati [as well as] performing at the SHU F.O.R.C.E Recital at the end of April," said captian Sarah Comeras, junior.
"When I was the president of SHU Elite, we participated in Habitat work days, collected canned goods at every meeting for the Thomas Merton Center and St. Stevens food pantry in Bridgeport, and the Bridgeport Rescue Mission Thanksgiving Dinner," said Crapanzano.
To raise money for the club the members of SHU Elite host bake sales and flip a-thons at basketball games.
"For the past 2 years we have been involved with the Special Olympics at Wilton [and] we coach gymnastics for a few hours per week. It is a great experience," said Comeras.
For the past four years there have not been tryouts.
SHU Elite is open to all levels of gymnasts.
All full-time students who are willing to work hard and have a positive attitude are welcome.
"I feel like we are all different people outside of gymnastics especially with our majors but when we are at practice it doesn't matter and we get along so well. We are always joking around and supportive when one of the members needs it," said Caitlyn Conley, junior, Ashland, Mass.
If you have no experience or have been doing gymnastics for 15 years, SHU Elite wants you.
"It's a lot of fun," said Conley.
"Its really laid back, you can do whatever you want, and come to practice when you can," said Conley.
"You can practice just to stay in shape and improve your skills or you can be on the competition team and go to meets to show off your routines. It's also a way to get off of campus and away from the stress of school and have fun," said Conley.
If you are interested in being involved on campus, want to meet new people with the same interests as you, contact Sarah Comeras to become a member of SHU Elite.
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