2/16/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Feb. 16, 2017
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan women's gymnastics team has used a secret motivator program to keep the spirits high this season.
Each week the team draws names from a hat to see who they will provide motivation for that week. Then at the beginning and ending of each week, they will place a motivational quote, positive saying or uplifting words on that person's locker to help motivate them throughout the week.
It started last year on a lesser scale with then senior captain Lindsay Williams sending out a message to the team to bring something in. This year it has taken off.
"You bring in printouts, handwritten notes or memes, whatever you think will give them a bump of confidence at the beginning and end of a week," said sophomore Olivia Karas.
The U-M gymnasts have really taken to the notes. They are tailored to each individual and are designed to help in a variety of different ways.
"It is nice to know that someone is thinking of you," said senior captain Talia Chiarelli. "If you are having a tough week, they might make you smile or laugh. If you are gearing up for something big, it may be more motivational and inspiring. Having a little surprise on your locker is meaningful."
Some of the motivational quotes are generic but most are tailored to each person's personality. It gives the team a chance to think about each other and how they can help motivate each other.
"It gets you to think specifically about one person," said Karas. "How does she need me to help her? What does she need to hear? It helps us learn our teammates and think about them."
One week Karas covered freshman Lexi Funk's entire locker with sticky notes that said things like "you can do it" or "keep it up." Junior Paige Zaziski printed a picture of a goat and wrote a note on it for sophomore Emma McLean, who loves goats. One week when a class got cancelled, Karas and junior Lauren Marinez printed out Minions quotes for everyone.
Check out a lot of the motivational notes that have been given out so far. #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/pBmbbhpJce
— Michigan Gymnastics (@UMichWGym) February 16, 2017
These little motivational notes have meant a lot to the gymnasts and the days they put them on each other's lockers are days to look forward to.
"A lot of us come right from class and are rattled from rushing over or something that happened that day," said Chiarelli. "It is easier to practice when you are having fun and being silly, which is a big thing for our team. That helps practice and carries over into the meets."
The notes have made for a fun environment at the gym, covering the locker room. It also gives every member of the team a chance to make a difference in the team's season.
"Our locker room is super cute," said Karas. "There are notes everywhere. It is also great because everyone's voices can be heard too. Some people don't like to speak up as much but this gives them a chance to write things down."
Karas has kept a couple of notes from last season in her locker. One was a note from senior Nicole Artz that congratulated her on making it through her first preseason. Another was a Thanksgiving one she got from Chiarelli. She tries to take each note she receives to heart.
"It is exciting on days when we get the notes," said Karas. "I look at each note carefully because that is how one of my teammates chose to motivate me. I try to incorporate that in my week."
By the end of the season, the Michigan women's gymnastics team will have plenty of motivation.
