The ASU gymnastics team ended its season at the NCAA championships and will also lose three of its members to graduation.
The senior trio of Ashley Ellsberry, Margaret Wojciak, and Cassidy Vreeke finished off their season at the national meet and left with mixed emotions.
Vreeke explained that the teams' finish at nationals wasn't what she was hoping for, but was happy with how the team handled it.
"It was a little disappointing," Vreeke said. "We wanted to do better then we did, but we stuck together as a team."
Ellsberry said she felt the team was too shook up after Vreeke and sophomore Kari Muth fell on the beam and couldn't get back into it.
"As a team I think we could have done better," Ellsberry said. "We didn't have the spark after the falls on beam."
Wojciak said she felt that the scoring was tough but said she thought the team came together during the season and said she hopes it continues next year.
"Everyone had each others back and when one person went down, someone else was there to pick it up," Wojciak said.
She also had advice for next season's team.
"We got where we did because of the team. Next year they need to remember team unity. In college it's not individual, it's all team."
The end of the season wasn't an entire loss though as Ellsberry ended her gymnastics career on a high note by earning All-American honors on the beam. The honor was particularly special for the Ellsberry family since Ashley's sister Wendy won the same award in 1999.
"It's funny, she did it her senior year and she never competed in the all-around until her senior year and I hadn't until this year either," Ellsberry said. "We were on the same paths in our careers."
The seniors also shared their favorite memories from their final seasons. Vreeke said the Sun Devils win on the road in Utah was the highlight of the year.
"We went in there and put our minds to it," Vreeke said. "It was great because my family was there and we were in my home town."
Vreeke said she feels that the team will continue to move up next season.
"We have improved so much [this year]," Vreeke said. "They can continue next year and make it to the Super Six."
Ellsberry said she agrees with Vreeke and thinks the Sun Devils will accomplish what they didn't this year.
"They are a good team," Ellsberry said. "They should have been [in the Super Six] and they can do even better next year."
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Reach the reporter at kelley.karnes@asu.edu.
