April 5, 2002
At the age of 10 most gymnasts already have years of training under their belt. Typically, gymnastics stars begin flipping at the early ages of four or five years old, but unlike most gymnasts, junior Alina Hamm didn't find her way to shine until a little later.
Alina began gymnastics at Alpha Omega Gym in her hometown of Springfield, Mo. "All my friends were in gymnastics so I wanted to do it too," she said.
Following the crowd proved to be the right choice for Alina as she quickly excelled in her training and expediently advanced her skill level. While attending Kickapoo High School in Springfield, Alina continued to pursue her gymnastics career despite Kickapoo lacking a school gymnastics program.
When Alina was a Level 9 gymnast, her coaches, Debbie Ward and Dwan Parkyn, decided to leave Alpha Omega to start their own gym. After developing under Coaches Ward and Parkyn, Alina decided to follow them and joined Missouri Valley Gymnastics where as she continued to grow and develop competitively, she also began training at an intensified pace.
"We practiced 20 hours a week," Alina said. "I stayed in gymnastics because of my love for the sport and the challenges it has," she added.
Dedicating herself so intensely to growing as an athlete, Alina knew her senior year of high school that she wanted to compete in college. Ever since she was a little girl she was interested in being a part of the Nebraska team. But, after being offered a scholarship to compete for the Tigers, Alina knew she had to go to Mizzou.
"I'm so glad I did go to Mizzou," Alina said. "I don't think I would enjoy other schools as much as I do here."
As a freshman Alina competed on three events, excluding the floor exercise. Under Coach Rob Drass' tutelage however, she characteristically adapted to the new training regimen and swiftly built up her skills on all four apparatus. As a sophomore and now as a junior, Alina has become a fierce competitor in the all-around.
"I'm confident in whatever team that goes up," Alina said. "The coaches are going to put up the best team and I know that if they've put me in the rotation that they are also confident in my ability."
Unfortunately, this year Alina suffered a minor injury that took her out of the all-around competition for five weeks. While performing a dismount on the bars during practice, she slipped and broke her hand. But, after taking time out for rehabilitation, she is back to full strength and ready to finish out the season with the same fervor as before.
"I just take everything day by day," said Alina. "Coming back from my injury, I can't expect to much out of myself, particularly in practice. But my rehabilitation has worked out well and I think I've made it back to where I need to be for the team. "
Like many of her fellow Tigers, superstition plays a key role in Alina's training regimen. In hopes that injury will not plague her again, she keeps a lucky rock that displays the word "focus" on the top. Her beam coach, Kira Atkinson, gave her the rock to hold for the team as a symbol of their goals for the season. Before the gymnasts march onto the floor in every meet, Alina passes the rock to other members of her team so they can each rub it for good luck.
"It's the little things that bring us together," Alina said. "Everybody is into it, and it is when you can get everyone on the team involved that the little things can be built into big things."
Alina also uses a little bit of her own superstition to help her in competition. "I always wear the same rubber bands in my hair from when I did club team in high school. They are black and gold, coincidence?" Alina smiles. "And, I always wear glitter. I put it on everywhere!"
In addition to her "shining" debut in the arena, Alina brings another highlight to the Mizzou team in the form of a silent mascot. Since her beginning years in gymnastics Alina has been escorted by her lucky charm: her Pound Kitten Marshmallow. A scruffy and well worn stuffed animal, Marshmallow has made every trip with the junior since her freshman season.
"I've had Marshmallow since I was four. I got her for my birthday," Alina explained. "She goes everywhere with me."
Whether it is her good luck charms or her determination, Alina feels her most improved event this season is bars, coincidentally, her favorite event.
"When I came to Mizzou I hated the bars," Alina said. "Somehow the coaches put me in the line-up my freshman year. Everything I do on the bars, I learned here (Mizzou)," she explained.
Alina is a perfect example that hard work and dedication can lead to unbelievable accomplishments. Even her late start wasn't enough to keep the tenacious gymnast back once she'd set her mind to succeed. Her improvements and continued enthusiasm are proof that anything is possible.
"Believe in your dreams," Alina advises. "Don't give up on anything. If you believe in it, you can do it!"