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Utah native Jessica Duke is excited to be on her dream team.
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Nov. 24, 2004
SALT LAKE CITY -
Each week a Ute gymnast submits an excerpt for the Utah Gymnastics Journal. This week's edition is provided by freshman Jessica Duke.
I can't believe I'm on this team. I have been coming to the Huntsman Center watching the Utah gymnastics team since I was 10 years old. Gymnasts such as Shannon Bowles, Theresa Kulikowski, and even Annabeth Eberle have been personal heroes of mine. It blows my mind that I am really here now. I was a little nervous in the beginning, because even though it has always been my dream to be here, I didn't really know what to expect. But everyone has helped make the transition easy and so far it has been everything I thought it would be...and more. I can't wait for the season to begin.
I think that my parents were a little apprehensive about me coming to the U. They are both BYU graduates. My dad is a HUGE BYU fan and usually considers the University of Utah enemy territory. I know his views about the U. have changed a lot though since I have been here. My dad has very little red in his wardrobe but he said that he would begin to buy a few red shirts...at least to wear to our meets. My older brother, David, is attending BYU this year and he says that he wears his Utah gymnastics t-shirt proudly around campus. Even though my parents and family would rather wear blue, they will definitely be wearing red on Friday night this winter to support the "Red Rocks!" Last Saturday (Utah's 52-21 win over BYU in football) must have been a long night for them. Too bad, Dad, but you'd better get used to it. The Utes rule!
Last week was the final week of "routine development" and it seems like everyone's routines are coming together really well. On Friday we had a mock meet. We split up into two teams and had a friendly competition with each other. We all did really well. We still have areas where we can improve, but I think Greg is happy with our progress at this point.
After workout on Friday, Gritty left for Jamaica. She is meeting her family there to spend time with them on a week-long cruise (must be nice to be a senior and have those kind of privileges). We are all so jealous that she gets to go to Jamaica but we hope she has a good time and enjoys the week with her family. The rest of us hung out at AB's place Friday night. The team watched a movie and had some good bonding time together.
Saturday morning we had a kick boxing class and weight lifting. Our aerobics instructor, Jenny, kicked our "you know whats" so bad! Saturday's workout has left me sore still three days later. I think this soreness makes us all look forward to the Thanksgiving break.
That night we were all at the BYU football game to support our undefeated, BCS busting, Utes. Our football team is so amazing this year that the ESPN College Game Day Show was on campus Friday and Saturday. The game was so much fun and the crowd was crazy. Everyone wore sombreros and threw Tostitos everywhere. They even tore down the goal posts and walked them down the street. I think we might be headed to the Fiesta Bowl. Hey Dad, where are your Cougars going?
We don't have workout Thursday through Sunday this week. Some of us are staying in town for Thanksgiving but Katie, AB, and Steph are all going home for the break and Ashley is going to Colorado Springs to visit her boyfriend. Dom is also going to Colorado Springs to visit Kuli, who was here last week to interview for PT school.
Well that's about all for this week. I hope everyone has a good Thanksgiving. Look for Katie's journal entry next week. And don't forget that next Friday, December 3 is our Red vs. White intra-squad meet. It's in the Huntsman Center and is free of charge. The doors will open at 6:00 p.m. and the meet will start at 7:00 p.m. Here we go!
GO UTES!
Jess
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