Shining senior: Alexis Andrews
by Phoebe Werner
Senior Alexis Andrews, Captain of the Gymnastics team is this month’s Shining Senior. Andrews has dealt with moving twice during her high school career and gymnastics injuries, but she continues to excel in both the classroom and in her extracurricular activities.
Alexis Andrews grew up in Navarre, Florida where she was a competitive gymnast until the age of twelve. The level 8 gymnast still loved the sport, but practicing for 25 hours a week became too much for Andrews, so she decided to become a competitive cheerleader. Andrews developed a passion for cheerleading and quickly worked her way up to her club’s elite team, Cheer Omega. Andrews continued to cheer when she moved to California when she was sixteen. When Andrews moved to Janesville, in October of her Junior year, she decided to join the Craig Gymnastics Team. Her previous gymnastics and cheerleading experience helped land her a Varsity spot. Unfortunately, last season, Andrews suffered from a dreadful injury. While warming up for her routine on the floor exercise at a meet against Middleton, Andrews simultaneously sprained both of her ankles. She has put a lot of effort into her comeback, but regrettably she said, “Coming back into the gym just didn’t feel the same. I could feel it in my bones.” Alexis Andrews’ favorite event this season is the balance beam because she works well under pressure, it’s very calming, and she loves to show off her routine. Andrews is one of the team’s most consistent beam workers in both practice and in competition. This season, Andrews is the only senior on the team. “I hold a lot of responsibility,” said Andrews. She feels that it’s important for her to set a good example for the rest of the team, be supportive, and make sure everyone is involved in team activities. In doing this, the team has developed a family-like relationship, which she admits to be one of her favorite things about Craig gymnastics. Not only is Andrews involved in Gymnastics, but she is a very active participant in the Craig community. “I have always wanted to be wanted to be involved in the school in some way,” said Andrews. She is a Student Council Representative to further her understanding of how the school works and the secretary of Bee Club because she loves engaging herself in environmental issues. She is also a member of Paws for a Cause Club, Yearbook, Letter Women’s Club, and Adventure Club. Andrews has always excelled in her life science classes, and plans to become a nursing practitioner. She has applied to Edgewood College, Winona State University, and the University of West Florida. Alexis Andrews is very excited for the rest of the gymnastics season and for college. |
It's very frustrating not being the same athlete that I was before my injury. I keep trying to push myself to be the best athlete that I can be, but my body now has limitations that it didn't a year ago, making it extremely difficult to go the extra mile. |