Final Project- Molly

Gymkana: The Competitive Gymnastics Team of UMD
Thursday December 5, 2019.

The Gymkana gym is located in the School of Public Health at the University of Maryland, College Park. Gymkana 's purpose is to inspire healthy, drug-free lifestyles through performances and mentorship.

The team warms up before their two hour practice with lunge, warmups usually take about 15 minutes, if your muscles are warmed when doing skills, the chance of a pulled muscle is much greater.

The gymnasts work on their tumbling skills, needing to always keep them sharp for floor performances.

Troupe member Abby handstands to meet fellow member Patrick during warmups.

Team Captain Katie works on her roundoff during warmups.

Balance and core strength is crucial when it comes to the still rings as troupe member Bennett shows.

Troupe member Marshall practices his one hand hold on the still rings, requiring significant core and arm strength.

Troupe member Emma utilizes her core strength on the ladders, ladders are a skill not typically shown in traditional gymnastics but is often used in acrobatic gymnastics.

Troupe Member Patrick is launched through the air via teeterboard, another gymnastics event rarely showcased.

Patrick flips into fellow member Robert during their practice on the teeterboard... practice makes perfect.

Robert uses the teeterboard to obtain enough momentum for Patrick to flip over top of him, but not so much that Patrick loses control of his flip.

Katie practices her flips on the trampoline, a skill all gymnasts require.

Troupe member Abby poses for the photo while member Mia flips into her dismount.

Abby and Mia practice their simultaneous flips on the beam.

Abby achieves quite a bit of height on the beam, the team switches between the low and high balance beam during their act.

Abby leads the team in their balance beam act.

Troupe members Sophia and Zoe showcase their splits on the balance beam.

Sophia keeps her eyes fixed while keeping control of her spin on the beam.

The balance beam team poses for a picture at the conclusion of their run through. Pictured from top left to right: Mia, Zach, Jamaya, Abby. Bottom: Sophia, Zoe, Lauren.

Troupe member Noah prepares for his chair balance act, receiving coaching from his counterpart Marshall.

Members Noah and Marshall simultaneously practice their handstands on wooden chairs, something not easy to do while on the group let alone on an elevated surface.