Gymnastics takes second nationwide

Troy University gymnastics found success at the National Association of Intercollegiate Gymnastics Clubs (NAIGC) competition, placing second overall. Troy’s Kayla Burrell placed second on vault and Amy Treloar placed first on bars with a perfect 10.0 score. 

The team is coached by Maren Settle, a senior sport management major from Acworth,

Georgia, who also serves as club president. She said she started the program three years ago because she wanted to create a space where athletes could continue participating in gymnastics in a competitive but positive and supportive environment.  

Settle expressed how much their nationals experience means after all the work she has put into the program.  

“A second-place finish at nationals means a lot,” Settle said. “It’s validation of the work we’ve put in and how far we’ve come as a program in just three years.  

“It's truly hard for me to put into words just how proud I am of the team and how gratifying the win is to me.” 

Amy Treloar, a junior early childhood education major from Montgomery, Alabama, faced several challenges on the road to victory. 

“This summer, I sprained my ankle really bad and was in a boot for about six weeks,” Treloar said. “I struggled on doing skills at the beginning of the season because it would hurt.” 

Treloar said she also faced mental blocks with her skills but is proud she overcame them to a successful routine.  

“It is very rare in a gymnast's life to receive a perfect score, so to be able to accomplish this and know that I put all of my passion and hard work into something I love is what I am most proud of,” Treloar said.  

Kayla Burrell, a junior exercise science major from Marbury, Alabama, said the biggest factor in her successful season was her team.  

“We were all so excited for nationals and wanted to put our best foot forward, and that made me want it more,” Burrell said. “When I realized I placed at nationals, all I could think of was to tell my parents.” 

According to Burrell, the team’s score on bars, the first event of the meet, set a very positive tone that led to their success.  

“I'm a competitive person, so I have always wanted to push myself to the best of my ability, but it also goes back to the other girls on the team with me,” Burrell said.  

Hannah Leake, a junior exercise science major from Enterprise, Alabama, serves as vice president of the club gymnastics team while also competing on bars.  

“Going into nationals, my roles really centered around contributing wherever the team needed me most,” Leake said. “On bars, my focus was on hitting a clean, consistent routine, but as a leader, I was just as focused on keeping our team energy positive and steady.” 

According to Leake, the connection and consistency of the team set them apart from the competition.  

 “Everyone bought into the same goal, and you could see that in the way we supported each other through every rotation,” Leake said. “This season has helped me grow in how I approach both gymnastics and leadership.” 

“I’ve learned how important it is to stay composed, lead by example and keep the focus on the team as a whole. I’m really proud of what we accomplished together, and I think this experience is something we’llcontinue to build on moving forward.”